Car Sponsorship

[Phantom]

I have recently been appoached about sponsors for my car and am wondering if anyone on this site has investigated that option or actually been doing it? I have mixed emotions as it would tend to push my car more toward the "show car" which I intend to seriously resist but it is very attractive to get either cash, free parts, or significant discounts on parts for doing some advertising for the sponsors at events.

Feedback?

[dsommer]

I've heard about "sponsors" beware some of them ask for money, you and I know it doesn't work that way.

 

As far as pushing it toward being a show car don't worry about that they should know that this is your daily driver and it's going to get dirty. See what they offer up as far as parts then weigh out the good and bad.

[DavyZ]

Nothing wrong with "free" parts or money, but be aware they must get somethign out of it too...

 

Davy

[Guest ON3GO]

can i ask who this company is?

 

mike

[Phantom]

I have met several guys who have gotten themselves "sponsored" by companies like Discount Tire, Toyo Tires, Blaupunkt, Joe Shmo's Paint Shop, etc. The companies either give their product free or at a severely discounted price if the owner of the car advertises for them at car shows, track meets, etc. Sometimes this is with a "Sponsor Board" beside the car - soemtimes it's with graphics on the car - depends on the level of sponsorship.

Evidently no one on this board is doing it?

[BillZ260]

I'd say go for it IF the companies are reputable and you fully understand what you get, and what you need to give in return, and you are ok w/ those terms. There are places that are SCAMS! Don't ask me how I know

 

Took my $ (which was 'tax deductible' - which I guess makes them seem more reputable) but none of the vendors would reply to my emails, and the company itself is alive and well but the people you need to talk to are never there and never return calls or emails. Just be carefull.

 

Here's the top of the chain...would be interesting to see if any are still up...

http://sportcompactpro.com/

 

And affilliated vendors...

http://www.airbornemotorsports.com/

http://www.alteredatmosphere.com/main.asp

http://www.mmrusa.com/top_lt2.gif

http://www.optauto.com/

http://www.visracing.com/catalog/index.php

http://www.aeromodifier.com/

 

I did however get some decals to put on my car woot woot, and a DVD of some fools on the street and a chick showing her fakies.

[Phantom]

I started putting together lists last night. One of all the stuff that I've done to the car and another of potential sponsors as a result of what I've done already. I was surprised by how extensive both lists were. It also showed me where I need to do some more research and some other folks I may be able to approach. This will at least be entertaining.

[tfreer85]

Okay so I'll share my experience with http://www.carsponsorships.com in which they have used companies like blaupunkt, toyotires, etc. I signed up for the "sponsorship" costing $90 for about a short period of time, in which I was electronically approaced by, blaupunkt and a graphics website to be sponsored. Blaupunkt would sell their product to me at cost, but I had to spend at least a thousand dollars on product, and must a certain number and type of product (i.e. 2 subs, 4 tweeters, 1 600+ amp, etc.). The graphics website I could customize a set of graphics, as long as I put one of theirs on either my windshield or back window as well as one on each fender area. The website claimed that you could get more sponsors etc, however to get a LEGITIMATE sponsorship you have to be a member for a long time and been to X amount of major car shows. Needless to say I was disappointed with the whole thing, so just be careful of what they may be asking of you because it may not be what you want even if the product is cool.

 

Tyson

[dr_hunt]

Jim's Paint and body in our town is painting the z Kandy apple red over a CO6 base with flames in exchange for his logo to be painted on both doors. Since my boys z is race only, that's fine. Nothing like a $4K body work and paint job for a little advertising. We even got to pick the colors!

[Phantom]

Tyson,

Sounds like you had an offer similar to one of those made to me. I grilled them first, however, and it turned out they only had possibly one full sponsor i would consider and the rest were just too nebulous so I passed.

 

dr_hunt,

SCORE!! I'm looking for something similar to that for my repaint. Maybe not quite so gawdy on the advertising.

Along similar lines today I called the tint shop where I had my windows tinted - lifetime warrranty - on April 15, 1997. One of the rear quarter windows had an edge peeling back and I wanted to get the car in and get it re-adhered before it got worse. The guy I talked with , Bobby, is an old hot rodder and he said "No Way" - That I need to drop my car off for 4-5 hours and they are going to completely redo all the windows at not cost! Now that is a warranty! That is also a good company. I will be approaching them about a sponsorship before they do the work to see if we can strike a deal. I'll feel good about handing out their information.

His shop has discontinued using the window tint material used on my car - Madico - because it fades over time so I'll get a higher quality film and the windows will be back to "drug dealer dark" in the back and darkest legal on the roll-up windows.