A Thank You is in Order

[AJ14]

Heres a topic i hadn't considererd , but i've been guilty of this in the past .
I had a conversation with a woman about race sponsorship . She and her husband own a small business that isn't racing related . They both are big fans of stock car racing and several years ago started buying laps at certain races to help increase pay outs for the racers and to get a little more involved . They also from time to time put up money for fastest qualifier , or most postions improved , or whoever finished in a certain position . They had considered even helping sponsor a driver for a season .
They have totally changed their minds regarding putting any money toward lap sponsorships or any money toward anything at the track for the simple reason that they NEVER received one single thank you from any of the twenty or so racers that received money from them over the years , not by a note or letter , not by a handshake at the track , and not even one of those twenty or so racers ever came to their business to shop as a thank you . Needless to say they have had it with helping support the racers . They still attend the races , they just don't see any reason to help ungratefull racers or tracks .

[ocalasp76]

What Is Cost Effective??

And everyone wonders why sponsors are hard to find these days.
I have two good sponsors for my car whom I patronize all the time and send them business whenever possible. When I had my business I sponsored a division and received advertising at the track and mentions by the announcer during breaks. It was a big help and we did it for 7 years, till I sold the business.
Just a note here: I never felt lap sponsorship or fast qualifier ever paid off like being in front of the crowd every week with my company name on every windshield in a particular division. Monies well spent. JMO
--JIM--

[Frasson118]

Up in NY, Marilyn Toal has been selling laps for the bigger races for well over 30 years now... I like her approach to it, and should be used here too:

A driver receives his lap (or bonus) money IN EXCHANGE for a letter of Thanks & Appreciation to the sponsoring persons. Many drivers go as far as framing them before turning them in, as it makes a nice little souvenir (you can get frames for $1.00).


Bottom line.... no appreciation = no bonus check!

[AJ14]

I'm not familier with her name , but that is an excellent way of dealing with the thank yous these sponsors deserve . I wonder if any of the Florida tracks are gonna catch on to that idea before there aren't any sponsors left . Her idea should be adopted by every race track in Florida and carved in stone .

[Frasson118]

I have personally sponsored (in the name of our company, but out of MY pocket) a few laps at the Governors Cup, the Charity truckers race, and even a Hard Luck Award in the old SARA Modified series.

Never ONCE did I get a Thanks from the persons receiving them, although Rick Bristol did give me some appreciation for supporting his event. SARA even went as far as to give the award to a driver that THEY thought should win it, when I specified a different driver as I handed them $100 bill. They didn't even bother to announce the right company NAME. It was supposed to be Binner (rhymes with dinner) Equipment. They used Biner (rhymes with whiner) Construction. Yet they had their hand out. If anyone that raced in that series has ever wondered WHY that award disappeared from that series, this is why!

I don't blame this other couple one bit for cutting off their generosity... it got me nowhere, it got them nowhere, and I'm sure there are a lot more of us out there. A simple call, a note, something.... anything....

I learned my lesson, and it looks they learned theirs. When begging for lap money, maybe other suckers can be found. It won't be me anymore either!

[revlimit]

Well, on one hand I'm glad that I can't relate with such ingratitude. On the other, I feel terrible that so many that represent us are giving racers one more hurdle to jump over. The shame of it all is that it's so damn simple to hand out thank-you's! Get with it folks.

[RSB]

Wow!

I've never had anyone "help" with my racing, because I'm not very good at asking for money..if someone sponsored me I'd bust my ass thanking them every chance I had! BTW, all i'm lacking is four tires and I'm racing! Not my car and it may not be real competitive but I'm getting psyched about getting in it again! Anybody know of any used left side tires for sale for a CMP sportsman? LOL!