Anybody have any suggestions on getting sponsored? I am very dedicated and have lots of experience working on cars. My dad owned a body shop and also worked for GM for 30 years. I plan on attending 70-80% of HIN events, along with every other car show in the Midwest I can fit into my schedule. If anybody has advice/tips on getting sponsored, I would really appreciate it. My car payment isn't too bad, but insurance is killing me. It will take forever to get the rest of the mods I want if I can't get a sponsor.

 

I'll give you some comments to think about...

"Its not what the sponsor will do for you, its what will you do for that sponsor".

Some quick thoughts:

1. As I've mentioned above try to think out of the box. When I previously raced professionally (personal watercraft) I approached sponsors with a list of things I'd personally do for them (E.g. Hand out brochures, hang company logos everywhere at events, races, interact with the fans, hand out free samples or literature) Get their product out in the open everywhere. Note: Also get to events early to setup in the best spot you can think of.

2. Remember your the sponsors representative and take it seriously. Your actions dictate their corporate image so don't go and street race with their logos plastered everywhere! You need one accident to be played out with the media and your sponsorship is over. That's just an example. But keep in mind you'll answer questions on your sponsors products so know it well and be truthful.

3. Encourage the sponsor to let you help with R&D, technical, and marketing projects and/or ideas. Allow your ride to be a showcase for their product at events, marketing shows, etc. You want to show that your transparent in helping them sell and market the product correctly

4. Image is everything sometimes so get a good pop up tent, keep the car clean, advertise everything.

5. When approaching sponsors know what you intend to achieve, know what your willing to do for them, and then wait and see what they are willing to do for you. You'll know when its time to ask them for specifics (E.g. Money, Product)

6. Also try and get photoshop or some other program to do a graphic shot of what your car could look like with their product on it or what their logos would look like, etc. Impress the crap out of them with preparation and professionalism.

7. Thank the companies for their time if you get to meet with them.

Hope this helps mate.

Jetpilot

 

Sounds like too much work to get a few parts for free or cheap. Time better spent on a second job where you can use your money on what you want and then spend the rest at your leisure. The other thing that sucks about sponsorship is that you are at their mercy as far as how YOUR ride turns out and looks. Most of the time that means it looks like a riced out billboard.

If you do decide to go for the spnsorship, good luck to you

 

do you know people with sponsorships already?

Are looking to jump right into national companies or are you willing to work with local vendors first?

it is extremely hard to get "sponsorships" from established companies. There are cars out there with hundreds of thousands of doallrs poured into them. You will most likely get partial sponsorships from smaller companies.

Your best bet is to hook up with an established car club and hope they have sponsorships available to them.

How "finished" is your car now? judging from your sig you are mostly stock with a CF hood. Not to be a naysayer but you are going to have to bring something specail to the table in order to get the attention from sponsors. Are you boosted? Plans for newer style body kit?

The S2000 has many show quality projects out there and bringing something new to the mix is going to be difficult.

I am not coming down on you, I actually like that you want to try to do something. Think about what you want to accomplish and then research what it will take to get it done. Get to the shows and interview some of the sponsored cars' owner and see what they had to do.

I have tried various forms of sponsorship, it usually involves money on your part.

DO NOT go with those online car sponsorships sites that claim they will get you sponsors. you pay a fee upfront for what amounts to discounts on merchandise.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

Primogen - Actually, my car isn't stock. I have a K&N short ram intake with an air duct to the front grill. I also have a custom 3" header back exhaust, done right by a shop who is very experienced. Within the next month or so, I will also have a J's header, some type of JDM wheels (still debating on what to get), and an AEM EMS. I am definitely content to start out with local vendors and work my way up. I am not boosted, as I bought the car during the winter. Ohio in January is a bad place for a 400-500whp car. This summer or next spring at the latest, I will be boosting it. I plan to go with either an Amuse kit, or go ALL carbon fiber. Front bumper, fenders, doors, hard top, trunk, rear fenders, rear bumper.

Jetpilot - I do feel I have a lot to offer sponsors because with as many shows as I attend, I could get a lot of exposure for their products. Also, I grew up in one of the richest areas in Ohio. The people I'm friends with who are still in high school didn't pay a penny towards their car or car insurance. All of their spare money goes to purchasing upgrades for their cars. If I put something on my car that they like, they're going to go buy it. Honda should sponsor me, after seeing my car 2 of my friends are now trading in their cars on S2000's. Also after seeing my exhaust, my room mate and one of my other friends went and got a custom exhaust done by the same people.

Thanks for all your help guys, keep the advice coming.

 

You are virtually stock. Having mods you can list on one hand is not going to get you sponsors. Are your plans to get sponsors for these future mods or do you plan to do all these mods and then seek spopnsorship?

After you are boosted, are you planning to stay in Ohio. If Ohio is no place for a 4-500 whp car before you go boost, is Ohio going to be the kind of place for one after you get FI??

Look, I dont want to come across as pessimistic but it sounds like you are going in too many directions at once. You are coming across a fair bit youthful in your responses too.

If you are determined to get sponsored then great. knuckle down and do some serious research. Find the products you think would go well with what type of build you are trying to achieve and persue them. Call the manufacturers and present your case.

the stuff you are wanting is going to cost an arm and a leg. I think one of the Bulletproof cars is all CF and they have 30 grand or more tied up in body parts alone.

You caught the mod bug and that is cool and dont get discouraged with my comments, I am trying to figure out where you actually are regarding commitment and giving you the best advice I know how to give.

You have a long rough road ahead of you, make sure this is something you can and want to do before you get too involved.

 

If the sponsership you are seeking is with the major companies. The S2000 has been around for a while and most the major companies already have demo S's set up.

I think you would be better of seeking some type of sponsership from a local tuning shop (prefferably one that carries some of the parts you are looking for). Take some pics of the car and write up a proposal for them and see what they say . This will get you some discounts on the parts you are going to purchase, but will probably not get you anything for free.

Good luck!

 

The mods I listed for the near future, I am paying for out of my own pocket. After I do those mods, then I will pursue sponsorship. If I go FI before next winter, I will be purchasing a second car with 4WD to get me through the winters here. Also, I doubt it will cost me $30,000 for carbon fiber. The most expensive piece that I want is the spoon dry carbon coupe top, at $3,800. For $10-15,000 I should be able to get a high quality carbon body. I am not going in a bunch of different directions. I am just not set on whether I would like to commit to a full carbon kit or buy the Amuse kit. I didn't catch the mod bug after I bought an S2000, I previously spent 3 years building a Fiero formula that never finished worse than 3rd at all the shows I attended. I am also working on a 3800SC swap in a fiero GT for one of my room mates. I have done a custom intake and exhaust on an integra type-r that runs mid 12's all day. I know what I'm doing with cars, and I am committed to doing whatever it takes to get sponsored.

 

Why even bother getting a sponsorship if your planning on getting all the parts first?

 

The only parts I plan on getting before the sponsorship are header, AEM EMS, and wheels. The body parts, interior, and most likely forced induction will be after I get sponsored.