I'm curious...what do you guys get from your sponsors?

[JettaJayGLS]

I know some may not want/be able to share for more personal sponsors, but the common racer sponsors, the ones nearly all racers have plastered on their bikes, what are you receiving?

Starting last season I didn't even consider sponsors cause I didn't know much about it. I'm good friends with my local Honda Shop and they do extremely well by me, which is why North Reading Motorsports are the only stickers I rock on my bike (besides the Pirelli sticker Tony had me put on and the GMD stickers on my forks).

If anything is confidential or you don't want to share just don't post it.

I've always been a bit curious about this.

[OreoGaborio]

In most cases, discounts. Most are small, some are big.

[Pittenger5]

I get handjobs.


But only from Pete. He doesnt even make me run stickers.

[snwbrdr435]

I get handjobs.


But only from Pete. He doesnt even make me run stickers.

Sign me up

[OreoGaborio]

I get handjobs.
But only from Pete. He doesnt even make me run stickers.

True story

Sign me up

Only one person allowed on this ride at a time.

[tsorfas]

$ Cash Money $. I don't have ONE motorcycle related sponsor though at all. Hopefully this will change for 2014.

[Jim]

motorcycle companies - discounts towards their products & some pay contingency if you're a sponsored rider with them.
local companies - ghive $ towards entree fees

it all boils down to what Eric Wood said in a sponsorship thread last year....what are you going to do to help their business? basically, what makes you different from the other 100+ applicants all looking for cheap/free products. they want someone who will do more than just put 2 stickers on their bike & dump a link in their signature on the forum.

once they've recognized your efforts to promoting and bringing them customers, they'll reward you with what you want (better discounts or free products)

[breakdirt916]

but tricky mike said the sigs are too big!!

[Sheppo]

When I raced cars, I sent them a resume of my accomplishments or what I wanted to accomplish, I got a little cash for entry or parts, or discounts on parts and services. I explained how many people were at the races each week and saw the car. I towed on an open trailer and what towns so people would see the car. ( think rolling Billboard ) Then I offered to bring the car to open houses, etc... promoting their business. Kept the car as good looking as I could in a 1/4 mile bullring and gave each sponsor a framed 8x10

[JettaJayGLS]

Some good info here if you read around the hand jobs. I didn't think it would be too common for sponsors to be giving anything but discounts on parts to anyone but the top class riders. Help on entry/race fees is really cool though, I may have put an effort into picking up some local sponsors.

Keep the info coming, I'm pleased at how the thread is turning out so far.

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted

Boston Moto gives a couple of riders free track days (sorry, all spots taken) ad I'm a partner in a small business that pays a couple of hundred a race weekend to a rider.

[loudog]

I had a few sponsors last year and received discounts from all.

All were worth having and made a sizeable dent in my expenses. In total, I probably saved about $1k by having sponsorship relationships last year.

[Kurlon]

I haven't landed a sponsor yet, which is all my fault for not pursuing any properly. (A forum post pleading for sponsors FYI, not the hot ticket. ) I did get a chance to talk with one gentleman who does sponsor some racers and got a couple good pointers from him:

1) You get what you're willing to put in. If you're just going to run stickers don't expect much. The guys that he's working with basically have full on PR programs. They're on FB, forums, submitting reports to RRW, the local newspapers, etc. Video updates on Youtube posted to all the common areas, etc. At the track they're more than willing to discuss their sponsor's product with people, some have samples on display even. They'll travel with their bike/gear to events as a display. Those are the guys getting more than the normal small discount. The biggie was at the very least, stay in contact with the sponsor, there's nothing worse than the only contact being the yearly request for sponsorship then radio silence till the next year.

2) Don't tell what you're getting. If you're getting equipement at a reduced cost for example, don't share that cost with others. It puts the sponsor in a bad spot when Joe Random comes in badgering for a deal because Johnny Sponsored is only paying X for Y. The deal is between you and the sponsor, you can let the world know the sponsor is helping you out, but you don't need to share the details to do so.

[Tricky Mike]

but tricky mike said the sigs are too big!!

Eh, go start one of your "what should I buy" threads!

[breakdirt916]

I need sponsors first!!

JJ - which companies are you looking for, and which one can you help to drive their business the best??

[CBR929RE]

2) Don't tell what you're getting. If you're getting equipement at a reduced cost for example, don't share that cost with others. It puts the sponsor in a bad spot when Joe Random comes in badgering for a deal because Johnny Sponsored is only paying X for Y. The deal is between you and the sponsor, you can let the world know the sponsor is helping you out, but you don't need to share the details to do so.

this is actually part of the sponsorship contract I have with every one of my sponsors. I assume its standard for everyone. and yes its a contract and if they find out you've been telling people they can terminate the contract.

[JettaJayGLS]

this is actually part of the sponsorship contract I have with every one of my sponsors. I assume its standard for everyone. and yes its a contract and if they find out you've been telling people they can terminate the contract.

I assumed this, that's why I made multiple caveats about it in the first post. I was looking for a general sponsorship overview, which is exactly what I'm getting. Thanks for all the responses so far.

[Awesome]

Wirelessly posted

Boston Moto gives a couple of riders free track days (sorry, all spots taken) ad I'm a partner in a small business that pays a couple of hundred a race weekend to a rider.

Imagine what they'd pay if the rider ever won something!

[Pigman]

I would use Hookit.com to build up the resume and help off set costs 1st. Then run the resume around to anyone who is interested and willing to hear you...after that apply online to whom you chose to use for parts....

Woodcraft for example is the Killer and gives a ton of support to lots of riders and is very usefull since they sell most anything needed to Race...so start there.

- - - Updated - - -

Imagine what they'd pay if the rider ever won something!

Really like what?