sponsorship

[freedom]

to answer a question asked by gazza at torquay
why hasnt anyone got any
there seems to be a distinct lack of it in the sport??
regards
chris

[gazza]

Hi Freedom
This is going back to the post i had the other day,
If you had all classes of racing I.E. Zaps, OCR, V24's, 2 lts,Ski-Racing and Honda Series doing say a roadshow throughout the the UK, this would maybe give powerboating more of a following, thus bringing more sponsorship to the sport.
But again i'm only a layman looking from the outside, there just seems a lot of barriers poss !!
Looking at the ski-race boats at the weekend they are well presented a credit to their owners having to pay everthing themselves, even Blind dog (Scott Younger) commented on this, even though he is a Ribnobber at the moment.:up:

[freedom]

well im in the process of composing a etter as i write this to send of to local companies
as i am certain i will be racing next season, in F3 if i am legal, or open class other wise
being a student, workin all the weekends and hours i can whilst studying is fine, but if i have to reliquish every other weekend in order to race, im not sure i will be able to finance it all myself,
its just in the process of deciding which kind of buisness and companies might possibly buy in to the idea???
ill let you know what response i get :hugegrin:

[Dan]

Hi Freedom
This is going back to the post i had the other day,
If you had all classes of racing I.E. Zaps, OCR, V24's, 2 lts,Ski-Racing and Honda Series doing say a roadshow throughout the the UK, this would maybe give powerboating more of a following, thus bringing more sponsorship to the sport.
But again i'm only a layman looking from the outside, there just seems a lot of barriers poss !!
Looking at the ski-race boats at the weekend they are well presented a credit to their owners having to pay everthing themselves, even Blind dog (Scott Younger) commented on this, even though he is a Ribnobber at the moment.:up:


Ive said this before, going back a few years I thought the grand prix in Plymouth worked well and the whole event was sponsered by Bartercard, not sure what happend but they didnt seem to hang around long!
Worth bearing in mind that I assume sponsers would come forward if there name was up in lights on the TV or at least in the local rag, unfortunaly this is few and far between so its catch 22, you need the media to get spnsership but you need the sponsorship to get the media coverage......all IMVHO

Freedon, good effort if you write to loads of firms but what are you going to offer them? Dont get me wrong its worth a go but you just need to have a carrot to dangle! You might get a few that do it for tax reasons tho.......

[Burty]

well im in the process of composing a etter as i write this to send of to local companies
as i am certain i will be racing next season, in F3 if i am legal, or open class other wise
being a student, workin all the weekends and hours i can whilst studying is fine, but if i have to reliquish every other weekend in order to race, im not sure i will be able to finance it all myself,
its just in the process of deciding which kind of buisness and companies might possibly buy in to the idea???
ill let you know what response i get :hugegrin:

Hope your spelling and grammar is better in the letters:hugegrin:
Good luck dude:up:

[freedom]

:hugegrin:
thought someone would put that, you wouldnt have thought i got to a's english woudnt you
dont worry ive got my mum :worthy: :worthy: to proof read it all

[freedom]

in answer to dans question i think you can offer alot
IMO the boats race, so therfore you have a following to begin with
they go around most of the country, so therfore, you are subject to a wide range of audiences
you also have to trailer the boat, now i dont know about you, but if i see a boat on the motorway, especially a "race" boat ie not a fletcher bayliner etc, it does grab your attention
you aso have practice time, where then the boat is sat on the prom etc, i couldnt tell you how many people have taken intrest, pictures, asked questions etc about the boat this year alone
v24, 2lt, OCR and proboby even k class have sponsors, i definatey rekon there i scope
like i said, i plan to do the whole year next year and spend all the winter months practicing, and taking into account lost earnings etc i dont see it viable to do it without some help
but... if it doesnt all go to plan, i can always just do a few
theres no harm in trying:hugegrin:

[Dan]

Like I say good luck to you and fingers crossed you will rasie thre funds to allow you to ski next year.
Couple of points tho, when I overtake a trails bike on the motorway (on a trailer) I am normally travelling a little to fast to look at the sponsers on the trailer, yes its a race "kinda" vehicle but not one that interest me to much. And for example, if you get sponsered by your local newsagent then tow the boat 500miles away do you think people in ...whereever 500miles away are will nip down to YOUR local newsagent to buy the paper?
Agree with your point about practice time etc etc but, I look out for boats cos thats what interests me, I could overtake the greatest caravan in the world going down the M5 but cos its not my thing I dont really take much notice hence would never look who it was manufactured/sponsered by.
If I could suggest one thing thats to get your local media interested first, then the sponsers will come, without that I see the sponsership as a good will gesture as opposed to "sponsership". Look at honda for example, big name, reasoanble media coverage and look at the boats surprise surprise they have "reasoanable" sponsership.
Please dont take this the wrong way, I thought the same back along, but I just struggle to see the justification why any (apart from family and friends) businesses would plough there cash into anything that offers little in return. All IMVHO.

[speedskier]

Time for some Brutal honesty.

The BBC covered the worlds in '79. It was fansastic.

Did it help?

No!

Why?

Water Ski Racing in it's current format is BORING to watch. It's a scientific fact that the majority of peoples attention span is 15 mins. Terefore lets have the races for 15 mins! We could have more than 1 per formula i.e 2 or 3 main and support.

Who likes skiing for an hour?

:argue: :headbang: :devil: :hatchet: :aaahhh:

Come on lets get it moving!

[OCRDA]

Ive said this before, going back a few years I thought the grand prix in Plymouth worked well and the whole event was sponsered by Bartercard, not sure what happend but they didnt seem to hang around long!
Worth bearing in mind that I assume sponsers would come forward if there name was up in lights on the TV or at least in the local rag, unfortunaly this is few and far between so its catch 22, you need the media to get spnsership but you need the sponsorship to get the media coverage......all IMVHO

Freedon, good effort if you write to loads of firms but what are you going to offer them? Dont get me wrong its worth a go but you just need to have a carrot to dangle! You might get a few that do it for tax reasons tho.......

There is one problem with Sponsorship !! Even if you dont like or dont understand the company you still have to give something in return & not just crap on them !! fortunately i can still get along with Bartercard and Remember Sponsorship is not one sided !!

Bob

[Wayne Kerr]

Remember Sponsorship is not one sided !! Bob

errr ---humm !!!

[Bazza]

Time for some Brutal honesty.

The BBC covered the worlds in '79. It was fansastic.

Did it help?

No!

Why?

Water Ski Racing in it's current format is BORING to watch. It's a scientific fact that the majority of peoples attention span is 15 mins. Terefore lets have the races for 15 mins! We could have more than 1 per formula i.e 2 or 3 main and support.

Who likes skiing for an hour?

:argue: :headbang: :devil: :hatchet: :aaahhh:

Come on lets get it moving!

Ifs thats the case why arent football stadiums empty after 15 mins , very controversial statement from some one who cant ski for too long nowadays!!!

[speedskier]

I'm glad that got a reaction.

The proof of the pudding's in the eating. How many races were you at, at Hunstanton this year?

The idea is to make changes to benefit the sport. If no one want's to have shorter races then they won't happen.

There are a lot of people I speak to that agree that short races would benefit competitors and spectators.

Ooooo a bit controversial :)

can too, so there.

Stop being childish; you started it.

[OCRDA]

Any of you watch the OCR Heats at Torquay!! Saturday 2 x 25 Min Heats Sunday 1 x 55 min Heat.

Which were the best to watch ?? Which had most Spectators ??

Even if they keep the same length, PLEASE bring it closer to shore.

Bob

[Wacky Racer]

Time for some Brutal honesty.

The BBC covered the worlds in '79. It was fansastic.

Did it help?

No!

Why?

Water Ski Racing in it's current format is BORING to watch. It's a scientific fact that the majority of peoples attention span is 15 mins. Terefore lets have the races for 15 mins! We could have more than 1 per formula i.e 2 or 3 main and support.

Who likes skiing for an hour?

:argue: :headbang: :devil: :hatchet: :aaahhh:

Come on lets get it moving!

One word "BULLSHIT"

[gazza]

Any of you watch the OCR Heats at Torquay!! Saturday 2 x 25 Min Heats Sunday 1 x 55 min Heat.

Which were the best to watch ?? Which had most Spectators ??

Even if they keep the same length, PLEASE bring it closer to shore.

Bob




Best place to watch the OCR was the Harbour wall, really enjoyed it, On the Sunday race thought Green Racing with the 140 Evinrude where going to get spat out again like they did on Saturday, 10/10 entertainment, could hardly get a place at the harbour wall to sit,
Watched most of the other races from Blinddogs RIB.
The comment from the Green racing guys during a bit of banter on Sunday morning , they said we prefer the longer race, we suggested was this so they get plenty time to climb back in when they go swimming,
Before their engine started to play up they were winning, so they where right.
:hugegrin: :hugegrin:

[Bazza]

I'm glad that got a reaction.

The proof of the pudding's in the eating. How many races were you at, at Hunstanton this year?

The idea is to make changes to benefit the sport. If no one want's to have shorter races then they won't happen.

There are a lot of people I speak to that agree that short races would benefit competitors and spectators.

Ooooo a bit controversial :)

can too, so there.

Stop being childish; you started it.

NOT WORTH A RESPONSE, BUT IM WITH YOU ON THIS ONE WACKY!!

[Jon Fuller]

Kinnell! I thought ski racing was all sweetness & kisses! this is like offshore!!!

Fight, Fight, Fight

[Jon Holmes]

Well ive gotta say, Ski Racing is a very niche sport with a small following. But as long as you guys enjoy what your doing, what does it matter.

Personally, id travel to see a powerboat race and id travel to see waterski jump, slalom or freestyle. But i wouldnt go out of my way to watch waterski racing, i just dont understand it!!! Its a bit like sidecar racing i guess, its neither one or the other.

But the important thing is that you all persue the sports that you like and enjoy the participation.:up:

Good luck with obtaining sponsorship.

Oh, and the world needs "Media" like a hole in the head.

[JBP]

Any of you watch the OCR Heats at Torquay!! Saturday 2 x 25 Min Heats Sunday 1 x 55 min Heat.

Which were the best to watch ?? Which had most Spectators ??

Even if they keep the same length, PLEASE bring it closer to shore.

Bob

Worked well at Dover too.

we found that the shorter heats become more intense and in some cases the action really happens in the first several laps, then it can become endurance i.e. hope someone breaks down/falls out etc.

We run 10, 20 & 35 min heats, however, just run 4x20min heats for our E9000s which worked well may be the future to keep the interest levels up.

[Matt]

FWIW I think drag racing is the perfect sport for watching. Tractor pulling is also good.

Everyone knows that attending an F1 event you don't actually get to see much of the race - but it's perfectly suited to TV: watching the start, having a snooze in the lazyboy and wake up for the finish.

[Rebel Skier]

Well ive gotta say, Ski Racing is a very niche sport with a small following. But as long as you guys enjoy what your doing, what does it matter.



yes you're right what does it matter if its enjoyable......the problem is the price-tag that comes with ski-racing. yes it is great fun, but not always, especially when you have to fork out all that money to race.

[Tony Davis]

, having a snooze in the lazyboy .

Is that code for gay sex with Chaos?

[dodgy dave]

Well ive gotta say, Ski Racing is a very niche sport with a small following. But as long as you guys enjoy what your doing, what does it matter.

Personally, id travel to see a powerboat race and id travel to see waterski jump, slalom or freestyle. But i wouldnt go out of my way to watch waterski racing, i just dont understand it!!! Its a bit like sidecar racing i guess, its neither one or the other.

But the important thing is that you all persue the sports that you like and enjoy the participation.:up:

Good luck with obtaining sponsorship.

Oh, and the world needs "Media" like a hole in the head.


I don’t mean to speak out of place here, but this is a three man or woman team working together to keep the skier on the end of the line not just buoy to buoy or a 30 sec run.

We should all be supporting each other and trying to further water sports no matter what format it takes.

Deep Joy.
:cheers:

[dazza]

Time for some Brutal honesty.

The BBC covered the worlds in '79. It was fansastic.

Did it help?

No!

Why?

Water Ski Racing in it's current format is BORING to watch. It's a scientific fact that the majority of peoples attention span is 15 mins. Terefore lets have the races for 15 mins! We could have more than 1 per formula i.e 2 or 3 main and support.

Who likes skiing for an hour?

:argue: :headbang: :devil: :hatchet: :aaahhh:

Come on lets get it moving!

They have bowling and BORING MIND NUMBING TENNIS on the TV:headbang:

Oh and fishing! now i like fishing but there are a lot of Boring fishing programes on as well!

[wicked999]

it aint worth gettitng out of bed for a 15 min race:angry:

[Cookee]

it aint worth gettitng out of bed for a 15 min race:angry:

Thanks for your first contribution! FYI OCR run successful 20 minute heats - 3 heats and a longer final over a weekends racing - a great format with entertaining racing close to the shore!

[wicked999]

no problem but we ski race not boat race that the diffrence:hugegrin:

[dazza]

no problem but we ski race not boat race that the diffrence:hugegrin:

At least when you watch ski racing it can all been seen from the shore, when you watch powerboat racing you see the start and then wait for around an hour before they come back!:headbang:

[dodgy dave]

time to walk a way. you need to participate to appreciate the hours of trianing the team dose to enable the skier and team to ski for up to one hour at speeds of for F3 70+ F2 80+ F1 100+ .have you ever tried going back wards at 80 + with every lurch of the boat trying to send you over the back still giving the poss of boats and skiers on up to 200 hundred meters of line behind the boat. dont knock it till you have tryed it'. deep joy.ps cant wait for the summer.:hump:

[dazza]

time to walk a way. you need to participate to appreciate the hours of trianing the team dose to enable the skier and team to ski for up to one hour at speeds of for F3 70+ F2 80+ F1 100+ .have you ever tried going back wards at 80 + with every lurch of the boat trying to send you over the back still giving the poss of boats and skiers on up to 200 hundred meters of line behind the boat. dont knock it till you have tryed it'. deep joy.ps cant wait for the summer.:hump:

I have come out of the boat once, went over the engine and into the water! this was at sunny hunny! it was so ruff the boat (driven my Martin of Power Products Marine) was going through the water rather an over the waves and as the water came over the bow it hit me and i was out! ended up in Hospital , they fought my neck was broken but lucky it wasn't! my dad also hooked his Phantom 21 in Scotland and i came out of the seat and hit the ski pole! i did enjoy my 10 years or so observing!!!:hugegrin:

Ask me if i would do it again!!!

Well yes i would but only if Wayne Maunders makes a come back! which he said last year will never ever happen!!!

[OCRDA]

At least when you watch ski racing it can all been seen from the shore, when you watch powerboat racing you see the start and then wait for around an hour before they come back!:headbang:

So not been to a Powerboat Race for a while then !!

OCR lap in under 2 minutes often only 50m from shore, F1 lap in under a minute again very close to shore Even Class 1 are lapping in under 3 minutes again only metres from shore. agreed most of these are abroad but they are all now learning !!

Bob

[Jon Fuller]

OCR lap in under 2 minutes often only 50m from shore, F1 lap in under a minute again very close to shore Even Class 1 are lapping in under 3 minutes again only metres from shore. Bob


Yeah, tragic innit.

maybe one of the reasons the entire british powerboat racing fleet would fit in a toilet cubicle these days.

Whilst everyone wants to please the sponsors & specators, 'round the cans' is sooooo boring, especially when those cans are 50 feet appart.

[OCRDA]

Yeah, tragic innit.

maybe one of the reasons the entire british powerboat racing fleet would fit in a toilet cubicle these days.

Whilst everyone wants to please the sponsors & specators, 'round the cans' is sooooo boring, especially when those cans are 50 feet appart.

This comes back again to those that "Do" It & those that "Talk" About It !!

Don't knock it till you've tried it !!

Bob

[Jon Fuller]

I'm not knocking OCR, I'm knocking the fact that over a good few years now, the offshore classes have morphed into big boats doing OCR courses to please the sponsors and Spectators (ultimately in an attempt to improve the finances, and popularity of racing)

However, do we have sponsors queing up to finance teams? are the fleets bulging to point where race entries need capping?.......did it work?? No, the trend has continued, maybe even quickened. Just look how many people are showing interest in 'old style' races like the RB, or even the talked about CTC.

My take on those facts, is that someones been barking up the wrong tree in the persuit of kick starting racing back into life.

Having said all that, I don't have an answer to the problem, I'm just saying I don't think class 1 'OCR' is very cool, and I'm sure the likes of Steve Curtis would rather be racing round Guernsey, or to Torquay and back, than 500 x 300 metre laps in Plymouth sound.

There's no doubt that back when powerboating was populated by wealthy guys and 'their' wishes for the format formed the 'old style', without such influence from the now needed sponsors, who as it happens, don't seem too interested either way. (and don't quote Honda, or P1, coz they both have 'sugar daddies' to ensure the media coverage, that brings the sponsors. Neither class would survive a half season without the intravenous cash injection they get.) the race courses were 'Offshore' and 'Long distance' and not repetitive small circles in sheltered waters.

[all steamed up]

I have come out of the boat once

Been there, done that

Boat hooked on Loch Earn, i started in the observers seat and ended up exiting the boat between the driver and the steering wheel, but i'm sure u remember that Dazza as we were racing against your boat at the time (1995 IIRC).

Come to think about it, that was what convinced me to go back to the skiing :hugegrin:

[dazza]

Been there, done that

Boat hooked on Loch Earn, i started in the observers seat and ended up exiting the boat between the driver and the steering wheel, but i'm sure u remember that Dazza as we were racing against your boat at the time (1995 IIRC).

Come to think about it, that was what convinced me to go back to the skiing :hugegrin:

I rememeber that! i miss Loch Earnhead! good racing there mate, oh and loads of :brown: :brown: :brown: :brown: :brown:

[dazza]

This comes back again to those that "Do" It & those that "Talk" About It !!

Don't knock it till you've tried it !!

Bob

I was part of a waterski racing team for over 15 years mate! so i have tried it

So if as you say they are lapping around 3 minutes, then why at Ramsgate the other year did they start and then the boats are not seen for ages! thats not much good for all the bored people watching the racing or lack of racing, at least when we watch waterski racing you can see the whole race from start to finish:hugegrin:

[OCRDA]

I was part of a waterski racing team for over 15 years mate! so i have tried it

So if as you say they are lapping around 3 minutes, then why at Ramsgate the other year did they start and then the boats are not seen for ages! thats not much good for all the bored people watching the racing or lack of racing, at least when we watch waterski racing you can see the whole race from start to finish:hugegrin:

I was there at Loch Earnhead as well probably competing against you !! I never mentioned class 3 they are one of the few classes still doing longer laps !! Oh and the Ski Race lap at Torquay last year was mind numbingly long seemed like about 10mins a lap.

Bob

[freedom]

the lap at torquay was long
and not well thought out IMO, awful for spectaors
the bambino couse was much more spectator freindly, but less boats running means that is possible
weston is again a race where you can see the whole race
but they are dots as you have not been able to get on knighstone island for a good few years now

[Burty]

you have not been able to get on knighstone island for a good few years now

You can now

[Ring Owner]

I rememeber that! i miss Loch Earnhead! good racing there mate, oh and loads of :brown: :brown: :brown: :brown: :brown:


Some of us are still skiing at Loch Earn, cold as ever and looking at the snow on the hills at the moment it will be a while before he water "warms" up :aaahhh:
What happened to the ski racing up here - why was it stopped? I remember standing at the watersports centre on more than one occasion watching the racing, one of the main reasons I ended up getting my Ring

[all steamed up]

Some of us are still skiing at Loch Earn, cold as ever and looking at the snow on the hills at the moment it will be a while before he water "warms" up :aaahhh:
What happened to the ski racing up here - why was it stopped? I remember standing at the watersports centre on more than one occasion watching the racing, one of the main reasons I ended up getting my Ring

It seems that Ski Racing now is based around either Weston or Hunstanton, shame really as there used to be some good venues. (Whistable, Hartlepool, Lyme Regis, Varne, Chasewater, Strathclyde Park, plus many more)

[Tony Davis]

On breakfast TV this morning they were talking about ski racing at Ramsgate this year, and how it was to be announced at the London Boat Show.

[Bazza]

It seems that Ski Racing now is based around either Weston or Hunstanton, shame really as there used to be some good venues. (Whistable, Hartlepool, Lyme Regis, Varne, Chasewater, Strathclyde Park, plus many more)


ALLHALLOWS !!!!

[Bazza]

On breakfast TV this morning they were talking about ski racing at Ramsgate this year, and how it was to be announced at the London Boat Show.


It was and a few of us were there for the "launch" and it is on BBC South East News @ 6-30 today

[all steamed up]

ALLHALLOWS !!!!


Sorry Bazza, how could i forget, especially as it was at Allhallows in 1998 that i finished 1st Overall in the support race :hugegrin:

But i did say "plus many more"

[Bazza]

Sorry Bazza, how could i forget, especially as it was at Allhallows in 1998 that i finished 1st Overall in the support race :hugegrin:

But i did say "plus many more"

I forgive ya!!

Only cos you come and watch us in the Diamond Race, hope your coming this year !!:drink:

[all steamed up]

I forgive ya!!

Only cos you come and watch us in the Diamond Race, hope your coming this year !!:drink:

Me & the family ae seriously thinking about it, i may even bring the orange headed little brother :hugegrin:

[all steamed up]

It was and a few of us were there for the "launch" and it is on BBC South East News @ 6-30 today
Channel 983 on Sky, for those of us not in Kent & Sussex

[Burty]

back at lyme this year too

[dazza]

Some of us are still skiing at Loch Earn, cold as ever and looking at the snow on the hills at the moment it will be a while before he water "warms" up :aaahhh:
What happened to the ski racing up here - why was it stopped? I remember standing at the watersports centre on more than one occasion watching the racing, one of the main reasons I ended up getting my Ring

I think it was something to do with the noise!!! but i could be wrong

[dazza]

back at lyme this year too

Theres another good race venue! is it still tight coming through the village

Sat outside the pub at the bottom of the hill on the sea front a few times :brown: loads

[dazza]

Me & the family ae seriously thinking about it, i may even bring the orange headed little brother :hugegrin:

Had to read that twice mate, thought it read Orange helmet!!!

[all steamed up]

Had to read that twice mate, thought it read Orange helmet!!!

And i thought u said u had given up :brown:

[dazza]

ALLHALLOWS !!!!

Never herd of the place:brown:

[all steamed up]

Never herd of the place:brown:

Its a drinking club on a caravan site m8

[dazza]

And i thought u said u had given up :brown:

I have given the drink the boot, still not had a drink since new years eve

[dodgy dave]

had fantastic weather in largs a few years ago great venue very spectator friendly. a plus for us as we have good friends that live there as well . always helps to have a ice cold tinny waiting for you after a slap like that.deep joy:drink: :drink:

[dazza]

Its a drinking club on a caravan site m8
Oh yeah thats it, as i dont drink ANYMORE i couldnt rememebr

[all steamed up]

It was and a few of us were there for the "launch" and it is on BBC South East News @ 6-30 today

Just seen Bazza on the telly, and its true what they say about the camera adding a few pounds :hugegrin:

seriously tho, its about time waterski racing got some decent TV coverage in the UK

[Bazza]

Just seen Bazza on the telly, and its true what they say about the camera adding a few pounds :hugegrin:

seriously tho, its about time waterski racing got some decent TV coverage in the UK

No its not true, i really am a fat b#####rd:hugegrin:

[CarlEOgden]

in answer to dans question i think you can offer alot
IMO the boats race, so therfore you have a following to begin with
they go around most of the country, so therfore, you are subject to a wide range of audiences
you also have to trailer the boat, now i dont know about you, but if i see a boat on the motorway, especially a "race" boat ie not a fletcher bayliner etc, it does grab your attention
you aso have practice time, where then the boat is sat on the prom etc, i couldnt tell you how many people have taken interest, pictures, asked questions etc about the boat this year alone
v24, 2lt, OCR and proboby even k class have sponsors, i definatey rekon there i scope
like i said, i plan to do the whole year next year and spend all the winter months practicing, and taking into account lost earnings etc i dont see it viable to do it without some help
but... if it doesnt all go to plan, i can always just do a few
theres no harm in trying:hugegrin:

Chris,

Were you talking about sponsorship for just yourself or the series?

I'll go from the stance that you are trying to get sponsorship for yourself rather than the series. From where I'm at with 2 years as Team Photographer for a Supermoto Bike Racing Team here's my thoughts, in no particular order!

As those companies that could possibly help you - boat, engine, hydrolics, clothing, footwear, accessories, fuel, oil (you the picture?)

Go out and get some team clothing, even if it's a load of plain clothes from George or whereever! If possible, a chest detail with your boat name/logo. Once you get some sponsors/money, improve your clothing as you progress.

DO NOT turn up at a race site looking like Steptoe and Son. Chicken Shed racing doesn't impress anyone and will drive potential sponsors away.

Try not to be the laughing stock of the series, it'll get posted on the internet and anyone can stumble across stories etc and kick you into touch.

Right, onto what you should offer sponsors.

Where ever possible, inform them with a race report as soon as possible after an event.

If you''ve got a series photographer or access to one, get photos and include them in the press release. This might cost unless someone does your photos for free.

Again, if possible, send framed (even if they are cheap cardboard ones) photos of your team/racing shots etc.

If possible, video footage, this is harder than the above but giving your sponsor information after every event shows that you are thinking of them and appreciate their contributions to your team.

At the end of the year, we do a montage of photos, logos, get riders to sign personal messages and send to them, usually in a decent frame.

Don't under estimate sending sponsors results/reports/photos.

At the end of the year or the start of the next year, companies are inundated with requests for sponsorship. Those you get, if you do the above, will think of you before others and hopefully, you'll get more off them the following year.

To give an example, the team I am with got a few sets of leathers from Wulfsport, the next year after we did the above, a whole load of pit clothing, something like 12 sets of leathers and some more Motocross gear as well.

I know coming from someone who does photography as a hobby, it's quite self centred but I know it works!

Good luck,
Carl.

[gazza]

Well put together :up: :up: