Ok guys -- here's the deal: I'd like to get my car sponsored, preferably by Stillen. What does getting sponsored entail? From what I understand, at least with Stillen, you've got to buy every product in their catalog for your car and then they'll reimburse you.

What I'm thinking is that since I've got a credit card with a limit of about $10K (about $8K free right now), I could just get everything, put it all on my car, and get the money back pretty fast to pay off my credit card. I would end up with a REALLY nice f*cking Max for not a lot of money -- only costs would be the install of the S/C and painting of the body kit.

 

In addition to what you mentioned, you probably have to make appearences at certain shows and do photoshoots etc....maybe sign a contract that makes you responsible for certain things.

 

Not a good idea. What are you going to do if they don't sponsor you?

 

or what *if* they give you like $1000 back, you're still kinda screw.

 

just buy a big stillen decal and pretend your sponsored by them

 

Kinda? Royally...

 

Hmmm...you guys make good points. And yes, it's definitely a risk. I guess I was just wondering and figured I'd ask to get the details.

Still, I'm tempted. I mean, I guess I figure that I make a pretty damn good amount of money ($15K a year, not many expenses at all -- I'm a college student) and that if it doesn't work out w/ Stillen I could just pay off my CC and be done with it. I mean, I'm going to do all these mods eventually anyway more than likely, and Stillen makes pretty good stuff even if it is a little expensive, so maybe it would be cool to just do it all in one big rush, right?

 

Or maybe I could save the S/C for last and tell Stillen I'm interested in being sponsored and I'd like to get the S/C but I need their "help" with the other mods and the S/C. Maybe that would work?

 

If you got the cash, then go for it.

 

what you are missing is the fact that a company will sponsor cars when it is to their benifit. This means you have to have some sort of value to them. One way to be of value is to be really fast and enter lots of events so that people see a fast car representing their company as worth they representation. Another way is to be an all out show car and enter a lot of shows to build a good resume of marketable appearances. What will NOT work is to think that sponsorship is a way to get free parts and avoid buying lots of stuff. Most people who are sponsored have a lot of money into their cars and do not expect to get it back, then they are an asset to a company. Being one of the fastest NA maximas in the world (if not the fastest) I have sent out some email and made some calls around to test the waters for how far off I am from getting a true sponsorship. I'm at the point when people are just starting to get interested but I need to hit a few more car shows and get my 1/4 times into the 13s before anything else. Rims and custom paint job would be another way and I would get sponsored for sure. I hope you see my point in this long ramble, getting sponsored is not a substitute for putting in your own money and time - its a bonus and reward for what you have already done.

 

Very well said.

 

Do you know Stillen's actual sponsorship deal? Here goes, you buy all of their parts. You get a contract for a magazine photo shoot. You call them letting them know of this, they reimburse you for the parts you've already bought. After that, everything you buy is at wholesale cost. Not the best sponsorship deal is it? Do you know how hard it is to get a maxima photographed by a major magazine? There has been exactly 1 Maxima featured in one of the major magazines. And the owner is the director of NIRA so he has crazy connections. I know of one other Maxima who has been photographed for mags, but the layout isn't out yet.

You can get sponsors, just not Stillen. But you're never going to get sponsored by telling companies of your big plans. Unless you've been out there going to a lot of shows, and you already drive a very badass car, your chances of sponsorship are zero. I dropped $10K into the car before I got my first sponsorship, and that wasn't even that great of a deal. I get calls or emails everyday with people who want to be sponsored by my company, and unless they have a very detailed presentation, with a very long list of shows attended, and a very crazy car, I don't even bother. Nowadays, I don't even worry about getting sponsored. I know enough people in the industry that I can get them to "help" out. I run a business dealing with aftermarket parts, so it's basically a lot of trades. I'll need stuff for my car, they'll need decals or something for their project cars.

A full sponsorship is almost more work than just buying the parts outright. You have to sign a contract, and they get your CC number, so if you ever violate the agreement, they bill you for the full RETAIL price of the part. I go to a lot of shows as it is to promote my own business, but if you're just an enthusiast and going to shows is just a hobby, it gets tiring. Think about all of these things before you start pursuing a sponsorship.

 

Guys (especially TheBlue and Shadow), thanks for your input and advice and for clearing up exactly how it works. Much of the reason I posted this message was so I could learn and understand exactly how sponsorship works and if it's a possibility for me or even something that I'd like to do for that matter. From what you guys have said, I must say it doesn't sound like it's something I would necessarily enjoy or something that's feasible for me.

I guess I was just perhaps looking for a means to reduce my cost of modding my car, but as with everything in life, it just doesn't come that easy, I suppose. Guess I'll have to just stick with how I'm doing it now -- bit by bit, baby! It may take me a bit longer, but I'll get there, damnit!

 

yeah and when the SC breaks Stillen will act like they don't even know who you are??

whoops, I forgot no more Stillen bashing!

 

I've enjoyed "sponsorship" in one form or another since late in 1998 when the 4D Sport, my company, Maxima began winning races. Up to that point I'd completed 75% of the modifications possible within the rules of the class in which I was competing without any outside financial support.

At this point I do modifications to the Maxima within the competition class rules when it benifits a sponsor, typically for product testing and feedback, and has some possibility of producing better autocross performance.

Often a sponsor will be "on board" for the exposure, graphics displayed promently at a motorsports venue of one form or another. While 4D Sport's Maxima has gotten a lot of exposure over the last few years it is a difficult job to keep sponsorship on board and, I agree, the effort, occasionally, seems more than the reward.

** Feb 2002 Grassroots Motorsports "Stuck on You" (Page 16) **

 

why those rims? I have them too

 

I'm glad you see the way it works now. Don't worry, you have the next best thing, Maxima.org you'll save more money because of the contacts and group buys here so just keep looking around and you'll build it up slowly.

 

I got them for $100!!!! all 4 rims with Yokohama tires(90% tread) for $100......you can't beat that deal!!! plus they last me through the winter till I get my 17's! WOOOOOOOHOOOOOO!!!