With this tech page, I hope to pass along useful and pertinent information on techniques that we use here at Imagine Motorsports to design and build the cars that grace the pages of this website and hopefully those of some of the most recognized publications in the enthusiast market. We appreciate your feedback. If you have a particular topic that you would like covered, please email me.

Since our site is new and I don’t have any feedback from you yet, I’m going to start with a topic that was very foreign to me when I started in this business – how do I get sponsors interested in the project I’m working on? I wish I could tell you it’s easy, but I’ve learned through experience that the automotive companies we most seek out for sponsorship are practically inundated with requests each and every day. I utilized some knowledge and skills from my former banking career to develop a plan and proposal that has proved to be very successful.

The first thing you have to know is that there are a lot of car builders out there, both amateur and professional who are building some really great cars. All of these folks are after the same thing you are. There are also thousands of enthusiasts out there looking for nothing more than free parts for their ride. Imagine life as a marketing and communications director at a major automotive company having to sort through this mess every day!

When putting together your proposal, be sure to differentiate yourself. Draft a clear concise proposal outlining your project, what parts you would like from the manufacturer (include part numbers whenever possible) and explain to them what this will do for their company in the form of advertising or exposure. Let them know if you have a magazine or television shoot lined up or in what shows and events the car will be displayed. Consider including high quality renderings with your proposal. Being able to see the finished product before it’s finished is a very powerful tool!

Make sure your proposal gets to the right person – it’s usually a marketing and communications position, but if you don’t know, call the company and ask who’s in charge of sponsorship requests. You can spend all the time and energy you have on crafting a great proposal, but if it never makes it to a decision-maker, your efforts will have been in vain. Be sure to follow-up on a regular basis after you submit your proposal. Again, the manufacturers see thousands of these a year. The most persistent requests will be sure to get a look.

Keep in mind that automotive companies are for-profit organizations. They are not going to give away their product without expecting something in return. How do they make money? By selling parts – and lots of them! If you have nothing to offer the manufacturer in return for their product, your chances are much less likely that they’ll come through for you. If you expect sponsorship, expect to do some work on your end. Sponsors want to get their products in front of as many potential buyers as possible, so you will need to make the effort to get the car to some national events where it will be seen. As well, make sure that you have a prominent sponsor board on display with the car at all times – be sure that everyone that sees the car knows who helped you build it.

Lastly, if you do get a commitment from a sponsor, update them regularly on the status of the project. Get a reasonably priced digital camera so you can email pictures. Sponsors love eye candy. They can also use the pictures for their catalogues and brochures which may give your project additional exposure. Outline for them in the email exactly where you are in the build and how you are progressing with regards to the planned deadline. If you’re going to miss your original deadline for any reason, let all your sponsors know immediately. They are counting on you – don’t leave them hanging.

Invest some of your own time in developing relationships with your potential sponsors. Chances are likely that you will want to use them again on anther project. And be sure to show your appreciation for their commitment. It’s very simple to send your sponsors a framed photo of the project for their office with a note of thanks for helping you make it possible for a lot of other enthusiasts to enjoy the cars we build.

Imagine Motorsports is a unique car company with a specialty in marketing and promotion. We are available for consultation and can help you put together a winning proposal. Send us an email or give us a call and let us help you turn your Imagination into reality.

Jimi Day, Owner