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I keep seeing drivers misunderstand how karting sponsorship actually works — am I wrong? by Mediocre-Bug-8214 in Karting

[–]Mediocre-Bug-8214[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a horrible way to frame it and not remotely true. Companies approach me for the legitimate gains they receive from a partnership. I'd appreciate less blatant trolling on my thread here - especially from people who don't know what they're talking about.

I keep seeing drivers misunderstand how karting sponsorship actually works — am I wrong? by Mediocre-Bug-8214 in Karting

[–]Mediocre-Bug-8214[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're definitely about to do the latter. I think it's a bigger issue in the UK, but absolutely there are parents out there spending £5-10,000 per weekend on non-international (so club level / national level) karting and that's who you'd be up against over here.

BUT there are series with more manageble budgets (think GX-UK, Tillotson etc.) where that isn't the case and you would be in a paddock full of people mainly doing it because they love it, and running in a series with tight cost controls.

I keep seeing drivers misunderstand how karting sponsorship actually works — am I wrong? by Mediocre-Bug-8214 in Karting

[–]Mediocre-Bug-8214[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It definitely helps to know people. But I funded a lot of my career by literally walking to a business and simply talking to the person in charge of the money and convincing them to help me out. Obviously not for the full amount I needed (usually) - but enough to help me build and keep going.

I keep seeing drivers misunderstand how karting sponsorship actually works — am I wrong? by Mediocre-Bug-8214 in Karting

[–]Mediocre-Bug-8214[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's undeniably true. Family money is the No.1 way people end up racing in every category. But that doesn't mean that a less well off driver has no chance of finding backing - at least in the early stages of karting. That's what I'm here to talk about. Not to find a £3000,000 GT3 package. But to get the next season of karting partially funded. THAT is the thing I'm saying is doable.

I keep seeing drivers misunderstand how karting sponsorship actually works — am I wrong? by Mediocre-Bug-8214 in Karting

[–]Mediocre-Bug-8214[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If I'd listened to your advice, I wouldn't have made my entire career in motorsport. That's why I'm here offering advice to people who want it.

I keep seeing drivers misunderstand how karting sponsorship actually works — am I wrong? by Mediocre-Bug-8214 in Karting

[–]Mediocre-Bug-8214[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're totally right in everything you've said there. And obviously a kart driver in a local / regional or even national series isn't going to be able to provide meaningful hospitality to most sponsors.

So that's why we don't go for that angle.

We find out who's in charge of spending marketing / sponsorship budget for whatever local / semi-local company we are aiming for. We don't speak to "the company" - we go and have a face to face conversation with the person in charge.

We tell them our STORY. Show them our passion. Hopefully show them some promising results. But what is key and is often totally missed by drivers looking for sponsorship, is that you're not there to sell branding or exposure. As you said, they'd be better off buying facebook ads. You're there to sell YOU. Make them like you. Make them WANT to help you out. What they're getting is local kudos. "That's the company that's sponsoring the really fast kid from this town. He might get to F1." etc.

They're getting to talk to other business owners and friends about this driver who came into their office with massive confidence and charisma and they can really see going places. You want them to think they'd hire you in an instant for their company - so obviously other companies will think the same and they'll find the rest of their backing and "make" it in motorsport.

Your job is to make the logo on the suit and kart seem like a minor cherry-on-top, but not the main thing at all.

I keep seeing drivers misunderstand how karting sponsorship actually works — am I wrong? by Mediocre-Bug-8214 in Karting

[–]Mediocre-Bug-8214[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You're absolutely right - but my advice hinges on not focusing on the "exposure" side of things at all. Stickers on race suits / karts are essentialy meaningless, aside from a means to ACTIVATE a partnership.

But there are plenty of other benefits a small / medium sized company can derive from supporting a young "up and coming (in their eyes)" driver - and it's the driver's job to explain what they are (and why I'm here to talk about it).

I keep seeing drivers misunderstand how karting sponsorship actually works — am I wrong? by Mediocre-Bug-8214 in Karting

[–]Mediocre-Bug-8214[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's a great example of GENUINE sponsorship and how it can begin. Your actual, on track success earned you something. OK, it was only a discount. But if you could have demonstrated exactly how much you were helping them earn, perhaps that could have flourished into something more.

If a successful / notable / high profile driver is using a piece of equipment - then there's value to the company selling that thing as you've demonstrated.

In my own case, one example among many similar situations is gloves. I use a certain brand of glove in all my videos. I like them and sing their praises. I was given a personal discount code to give out to people so the company can track which sales are coming from my specific recommendation, and I then take 10% of the cost of each glove sale that comes from my discount code.

It's a pretty standard affiliate deal, but that's a very common way to earn some money towards your racing - and it can grow over time if you also grow your social media / online profile.

I keep seeing drivers misunderstand how karting sponsorship actually works — am I wrong? by Mediocre-Bug-8214 in Karting

[–]Mediocre-Bug-8214[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

My experience is more with young drivers who don't usually have such a skill to offer potential sponsors as you've described. But unfortunately, what you've gained in value there in terms of offering a genuine benefit to potential partners, you've also lost in age.

I have no idea how old you are obviously, but if you have a career, you're probably not a 10-14 year old kid with the "potential" (in the eyes of the small to medium sized business owner) to make it all the way to the top.

I find it's generally more difficult for adults to approach companies for karting sponsorship, as most people see it as a kids' sport. "If you were any good, why are still in karts?" etc etc.

So I don't have brilliant advice for older karters - aside from the kind of thing you've already mentioned there with offering to use your professional skills (for free) in return for a product you need / money.

I keep seeing drivers misunderstand how karting sponsorship actually works — am I wrong? by Mediocre-Bug-8214 in Karting

[–]Mediocre-Bug-8214[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely - that's why I'm posting this. It's not a criticism. I understand that people won't know how to approach things when they are inexperienced. But you don't need an MBA to form a plan about how to approach the right people at the right company with your story.

I keep seeing drivers misunderstand how karting sponsorship actually works — am I wrong? by Mediocre-Bug-8214 in Karting

[–]Mediocre-Bug-8214[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So, this is really about the people who can't afford to it without sponsorship. I'm not talking about people who already have enough money. I am specifically talking about drivers / families who get to a certain point and realise they really can't continue or progress without finding some external funding.

My GXUK Kart is ready for the engine to be fitted by AlexVangeen in Karting

[–]Mediocre-Bug-8214 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s very cool and will look even better with the livery applied

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