A beginners guide to obtaining motocross sponsorship.The fact is you don't have to be winning every race (though it certainly helps!) to obtain support to go racing. One of my sponsors at a motorbike dealership I used to ride for told me heplaced just as much importance on how I presented myself and my bike as well as what my race results were. Motocross sponsorship is in effect a business deal, the sponsor offers you a product, service or sometimes cash in return for you promoting their business. Have a think about what you can offer a potential sponsor. Will you only be competing locally? Statewide? Do you participate in different disciplines of dirt bike racing? Enduro as well as motocross? Think about what types of businesses you would approach for sponsorship. Obviously there are industry related sponsors but you can also approach non industry businesses who may be open to using motocross sponsorship as an alternative way of promoting their business. This is happening more and more these days as car manufacturers and big telecommunications companies for example, look for different ways of reaching new markets. There are varying levels of sponsorship and support, these start from something as simple as a bike shop giving a rider a discount on parts and bikes, up to the level of a full factory ride where riders are paid a salary, have everything supplied and make money on contingency deals to promote various products. Be realistic about what you could expect to receive compared to what you have to offer. Once you've been able to get sponsorship understand that you then have an obligation to represent your sponsor in the best possible light. Make sure that their business name or product is displayed prominently on your gear, bike and trailer or van. Talk to other riders about the products your sponsor offers, if your sponsor can give you some samples to give away then even better, everyone loves free stuff and it gets the products out there amongst people. Respect your sponsors, do the right thing by them and they'll do the right thing by you. Click here for a step by step guide on getting motocross sponsorship.
|
