Vinyl/decal/sticker Maker Wants To Do Promo Graphics On My Track Car

[Lil_Bobby_260]

Hi guys

I am going to run a SSS pulsar (its in the "show me ur race cars" thread, page 33) in time attacks, Top gear events, hillclimbs etc.

A local guy who does custom car vinyls, stickers and graphic lays has expressed an interest in advertising on my vehicle by means of doinf some artsy cool graphic work with his logo dsplayed prominently on th bonnet, rear and both sides of the car.

He said that i could have final say in the design and be part of the whole process so the car has the look i want. I figure the car and its graphics will be being seen by a fair amount of people who may want work done to their cars, both at track days, etc, and while its on the trailer being moved around.

What do you think i should ask for? As it is, the car is plain white, and this would get it looking rather sharp, being that i can do the design etc. Should i be askig for an advertising payment every meet? Or a comission off any work done for people who saw it on the car?

Whats your opinions?

Thanks guys

[JAS-25T]

Don't ask for advertising payment,

ask for some sponsorship. That way he can write it off as a business expense and it will cost you less to race.

[Duncan]

To be frank, with all the stickers we've had on all the race cars over the last 8 years, only 1 has ever paid hard cash to be there.

In every case we make space available on the car in return for free or heavily discounted goods/services. So if you have someone willing to do stickers at no cost (say $2k value), give them 1/4 to 1/3 of the car, and get them to provide stickers for any other supporters you can get on board as well. A sticker sponsor is one of the most valuable you can get because you can put other people on the car at no further cost for you. Don't forget to hit up all your suppliers, engine builders etc for discounts in return for promotion.

There are a lot of club/state and even national level race cars out there and very few of them have real paying sponsors. Those that do are normally related to the company in some way, eg a guy we used to race with had fully paid car from Pedigree Pal petfoods. Turned out he was son of the owner

[funkymonkey]

yeah rather than asking for a payment its far easier to coax services... like a barter system. That way the sponsor doesn't feel out of pocket.

Unless you can give them a plan which shows a tax benefit from putting your sponsorship down as an investment. Usually they cbf with the paperwork involved. Plus your race team needs to be a registered business etc.

[Lil_Bobby_260]

Thanks heaps for the feedback... sounds like a good idea.

So if it ever needs work such as an exhaust job/suspension etc, i could have the work discounted in return for having their business promoted on the car, the stickers for which would be done by the current guy.

But you def think that as payment for having his graphics/sticker business prominantly displayed on the car (1/3 of the surface are), i should get any that i want for free...?

Is that the general trend i should be looking for?

[Duncan]

yeah exactly mate. that way it doesn't seem to them like they are paying much/anything. remember most small businesses aren't exactly full of spare cash either

[funkymonkey]

yup, we get guys ask to be sponsored all the time, and rather than give them cash or pay money, we'd rather give them a subsidised service. that way no one's out of pocket at the end of the day and everyone gets what they want.

[Lil_Bobby_260]

SO!! who on here wants to offer some SUBSIDISED services in return for say... hmm... my bonnet....!!!!

haha

seriously tho.

It needs some exhaust work, a new computer to run the new engine (PLR built SR20, forged balanced internals good for 9500rpm) and probably a lifetime supply of CV joints