Wanting to run in the MINI challenge series - need some help
Discussion
Hello all,
I'm a long-time resident of these boards (though not so active recently), and I'm trying to actually go racing next year.
Mine is the typical story of having held an ambition to go and do this for many years but, just when it was becoming financially possible, family life (rightly) taking priority.
This time is a bit different though - I now have my licence, enough funding for and first refusal on a race car, a little commercial backing, someone to help me spanner it and - most important of all - permission from the Mrs.
The permission does come with a proviso though - that the venture needs to fund itself. So I'm seeking more commercial sponsorship, but also trying to get together some crowdfunding contributions in return for some perks that I can offer. (I don't think I'm able to link it here as that counts as advertising, but it's on "Crowdfunder", my name is Alex, and I'm looking to race a Mini if you wanted to search for it).
Does anyone on here have any tips on how to get a budget together for racing at this level? From all sources, I've so far raised about £3k of the 10k I need to go racing, but seem to be stalling a bit. Any suggestions - or offers of cold, hard cash
- gratefully received!
I'm a long-time resident of these boards (though not so active recently), and I'm trying to actually go racing next year.
Mine is the typical story of having held an ambition to go and do this for many years but, just when it was becoming financially possible, family life (rightly) taking priority.
This time is a bit different though - I now have my licence, enough funding for and first refusal on a race car, a little commercial backing, someone to help me spanner it and - most important of all - permission from the Mrs.
The permission does come with a proviso though - that the venture needs to fund itself. So I'm seeking more commercial sponsorship, but also trying to get together some crowdfunding contributions in return for some perks that I can offer. (I don't think I'm able to link it here as that counts as advertising, but it's on "Crowdfunder", my name is Alex, and I'm looking to race a Mini if you wanted to search for it).
Does anyone on here have any tips on how to get a budget together for racing at this level? From all sources, I've so far raised about £3k of the 10k I need to go racing, but seem to be stalling a bit. Any suggestions - or offers of cold, hard cash
- gratefully received!Hi Alex,
Unfortunately it is not going to be easy.
Sponsorship is not easy to come by at any level and your inexperience does not help you at all.
Sponsors are looking for more then a sticker on the car as in reality that does nothing for them, they will be wanting more promo, contacts to be made, incentives etc. etc.
Good luck with your search, I hope it works out for you.
Unfortunately it is not going to be easy.
Sponsorship is not easy to come by at any level and your inexperience does not help you at all.
Sponsors are looking for more then a sticker on the car as in reality that does nothing for them, they will be wanting more promo, contacts to be made, incentives etc. etc.
Good luck with your search, I hope it works out for you.
Hi Alex, good luck with chasing your dreams. Im not sure which class you are looking at in the mini challenge but I would think that for those a budget of £10 isn't going to run for very long. The cars still fetch big money and I think that entry fees etc are pretty high as its seen as a flagship championship for MSVR.
If your defiantly looking at MINI's im sure there are a few other places you could race them. I saw the 750MC version of it last year and it seems to be taking off a little more this year (Super Cooper Cup). Or you could race it in the Roadsports again with 750MC. Or looking at other clubs it would run in MSVR track day trophy or team trophy, also the CSCC will have a number of championships it should fit into as well.
If you push to the limits early you may only get a season, save some cash and you might get 2 or 3
If your defiantly looking at MINI's im sure there are a few other places you could race them. I saw the 750MC version of it last year and it seems to be taking off a little more this year (Super Cooper Cup). Or you could race it in the Roadsports again with 750MC. Or looking at other clubs it would run in MSVR track day trophy or team trophy, also the CSCC will have a number of championships it should fit into as well.
If you push to the limits early you may only get a season, save some cash and you might get 2 or 3
Mark - I'm not counting the cost of the car in the budget; that's already provided for. In rough terms, the entry will be 5k, and the bulk of the rest is on consumables. Obviously it's not the cheapest championship to run in, but neither is it the most expensive, especially in the junior "Cooper" class. I have confidence in the running of the series, and some connections with MSVR people, so it feels like a good fit for me - and I thought the higher profile would make getting sponsors easier.
10k is certainly still shoestring though...
10k is certainly still shoestring though...
I have some experience of this so can perhaps offer some guidance.
For my first year I raised £6k of sponsorship the majority of which came from 1 commercial sponsor (this was a random not a friend, but now a good friend) this only lasted for 1 season and I have since self funded. I too had the car already paid for so I was funding entry consumables and expenses. I was running in the what is now the MX5 Supercup.
I ran out of money after 3 rounds!! And had to fund the rest of the season myself.
Lets start with why I ran out of Money. This was because I hadn't accounted for the cost of effectively servicing a sponsor, it simply wasn't enough. To make it work forget car stickers those are worth nothing without getting the car out and about. Most of the money went on getting it to shows such as Chris Evans Car fest, run south etc. Secondly, i massively underestimated the cost. These people who say they do a season for £4k are full of crap.
As for why they didn't return, firstly they didn't get anything out of it, a race car is fairly useless unless you can do a corporate day with it and you need at least £2k to make that 'fun' and you need more than 1 car. All the T-shirts etc. Useless. TV Coverage, Worthless. (the only people who watch it are the people who race in it, or are racers thems leves. Lets be honest it isn't touring cars). They do still use Photo's of my car, but no one notices. Even the staff didn't know!
Crowdfunding is a nice idea, but once your friends sign up, that'll be that. Unlikely some random will give you some money.
I appreciate you won't listen to me and will wish to find this out for yourself.
My advice, if you want it to fund itself, buy another car and start a team renting the second car out, but then you will need storage transport and a load of time. You probably need 3 cars to make that work.
On another note, I recently re-opened the sponsorship discussion. My starting point. £12k for title sponsor. A single round sponsor £2k. Funnily enough no one was interested. I mean what can I offer a sticker, a ticket worth £20 and some sandwiches. Maybe a trackda if I have some money left which will be pretty rubbish for 10 people and 1 car. oh but its on Motors TV.........at 3pm!
For my first year I raised £6k of sponsorship the majority of which came from 1 commercial sponsor (this was a random not a friend, but now a good friend) this only lasted for 1 season and I have since self funded. I too had the car already paid for so I was funding entry consumables and expenses. I was running in the what is now the MX5 Supercup.
I ran out of money after 3 rounds!! And had to fund the rest of the season myself.
Lets start with why I ran out of Money. This was because I hadn't accounted for the cost of effectively servicing a sponsor, it simply wasn't enough. To make it work forget car stickers those are worth nothing without getting the car out and about. Most of the money went on getting it to shows such as Chris Evans Car fest, run south etc. Secondly, i massively underestimated the cost. These people who say they do a season for £4k are full of crap.
As for why they didn't return, firstly they didn't get anything out of it, a race car is fairly useless unless you can do a corporate day with it and you need at least £2k to make that 'fun' and you need more than 1 car. All the T-shirts etc. Useless. TV Coverage, Worthless. (the only people who watch it are the people who race in it, or are racers thems leves. Lets be honest it isn't touring cars). They do still use Photo's of my car, but no one notices. Even the staff didn't know!
Crowdfunding is a nice idea, but once your friends sign up, that'll be that. Unlikely some random will give you some money.
I appreciate you won't listen to me and will wish to find this out for yourself.
My advice, if you want it to fund itself, buy another car and start a team renting the second car out, but then you will need storage transport and a load of time. You probably need 3 cars to make that work.
On another note, I recently re-opened the sponsorship discussion. My starting point. £12k for title sponsor. A single round sponsor £2k. Funnily enough no one was interested. I mean what can I offer a sticker, a ticket worth £20 and some sandwiches. Maybe a trackda if I have some money left which will be pretty rubbish for 10 people and 1 car. oh but its on Motors TV.........at 3pm!
Bertrum said:
I have some experience of this so can perhaps offer some guidance...
...and there lies wisdom. Absolutely bob on the money (pun intended) and applicable to 95% of race paddocks in the UK.Sure exceptions will occur - but the above IS the archetypal model.
Edited by Tanuki on Wednesday 16th December 11:16
The facts unfortunately are that motorsport at this level is a hobby, no more. To get someone to fund your expensive hobby is going to be difficult unless you can offer them something of value in return.
In my opinion there is always going to be some sort of self funding involved in grassroots motorsport unless you are lucky enough to have a very good friend/family member looking to pick up the tab for little in return.
With your crowdfunding proposition you've got the prominent sponsor on offer for £500 and this includes them getting track time, etc. To reach your target your car (and you) are going to be very busy space and time wise. How could you manage all these sponsors?
I am competing for the first time next year and have just went down the route of being sponsored by companies in return for getting bits i need like tyres/oils/etc for cost and even that was a struggle.
Keep us updated on how you get on though and best of luck. Hope to see you out racing next year!
In my opinion there is always going to be some sort of self funding involved in grassroots motorsport unless you are lucky enough to have a very good friend/family member looking to pick up the tab for little in return.
With your crowdfunding proposition you've got the prominent sponsor on offer for £500 and this includes them getting track time, etc. To reach your target your car (and you) are going to be very busy space and time wise. How could you manage all these sponsors?
I am competing for the first time next year and have just went down the route of being sponsored by companies in return for getting bits i need like tyres/oils/etc for cost and even that was a struggle.
Keep us updated on how you get on though and best of luck. Hope to see you out racing next year!
I do have to echo the thoughts of the others on here. Being able to run the car with all consumables, testing, damage (however minor), for 5-6k is going to be very tough. From when I was racing a number of years ago we went into a series with enough to cover the year at the basic costs, but after a couple of unforseeable issues we had to drop out the season early. It is far better to go for a level you can comfortably cover, with some excess left over to cover issues if they occur (and if you are luck and don't have any issues, put that saved money towards year two), rather than going in with just enough to do the season and then something you didnt think of crops up and scuppers the season.
I don't know what the costs comparably are, but my advice would be if possible teaming up with someone and entering the track day trophy or similar as mentioned above (or doing it on your own if you can cover the costs). This could either be in the Mini you are looking to buy, if you are getting a good deal for it, or buuying something a lot cheaper as an entry level (toyota mr2, mazda mx5 or similar).
That way you can share the costs, and learn the tracks, without fear of keeping any sponsors happy, especially if they want you to be running up the front all the time in your first season of racing.
Unfortunately it's probably not what you wanted to hear, but as mentioned previously getting sponsors is a hard task. At the club level scene companies aren't really going to get a massive amount from it, and you will probably find that 95% of sponsors on cars at a club level are either the business of the person racing, or a family/business connection.
I hope you do make it out though, in some form or another in 2016, and my final word of advice is to just enjoy it and make the most of every second!
I don't know what the costs comparably are, but my advice would be if possible teaming up with someone and entering the track day trophy or similar as mentioned above (or doing it on your own if you can cover the costs). This could either be in the Mini you are looking to buy, if you are getting a good deal for it, or buuying something a lot cheaper as an entry level (toyota mr2, mazda mx5 or similar).
That way you can share the costs, and learn the tracks, without fear of keeping any sponsors happy, especially if they want you to be running up the front all the time in your first season of racing.
Unfortunately it's probably not what you wanted to hear, but as mentioned previously getting sponsors is a hard task. At the club level scene companies aren't really going to get a massive amount from it, and you will probably find that 95% of sponsors on cars at a club level are either the business of the person racing, or a family/business connection.
I hope you do make it out though, in some form or another in 2016, and my final word of advice is to just enjoy it and make the most of every second!
Edited by designndrive62 on Wednesday 16th December 12:51
Edited by designndrive62 on Wednesday 16th December 12:51
The other thing which I've not seen anyone mention here is the costs of actually improving yourself as a driver - and that in itself isn't cheap!
If you're a competitive person (and most people who have an urge to jump in a car and race, are) - you're naturally going to get bored of being an also-ran (or worse).
The best guys in any series go testing (a lot), work with a coach, look at data (thus requiring the kit) and that in itself can easily equal if not exceed the bill for the actual racing.
If you're a competitive person (and most people who have an urge to jump in a car and race, are) - you're naturally going to get bored of being an also-ran (or worse).
The best guys in any series go testing (a lot), work with a coach, look at data (thus requiring the kit) and that in itself can easily equal if not exceed the bill for the actual racing.
Thanks for all this folks, and I have no doubt what you all say is exactly right!
I'm very aware that this is always an expensive hobby (if money was easy to come by in this, we'd surely all be doing it).
However, it's not going to stop me trying, and I genuinely think that there are things I can to exploit the asset of the car to offset the running costs to a significant degree. I'm only after £3500 through crowdfunding, so that's a maximum of 7 half hour punter-driving sessions, which should be totally possible if co-ordinated right. Likewise there aren't that many passenger rides in £3500 either.
And I'd certainly be offering the car for rent on any of the other 45 weekends a year when I won't be racing...
Mind you, I know that if I had a fiver for every "good luck" or "well done for trying" that I've had so far then I'd be well on my way by now....
Nevertheless, there's some good stuff here that I can incorporate into my pitches to potential sponsors - keep it coming!
I'm very aware that this is always an expensive hobby (if money was easy to come by in this, we'd surely all be doing it).
However, it's not going to stop me trying, and I genuinely think that there are things I can to exploit the asset of the car to offset the running costs to a significant degree. I'm only after £3500 through crowdfunding, so that's a maximum of 7 half hour punter-driving sessions, which should be totally possible if co-ordinated right. Likewise there aren't that many passenger rides in £3500 either.
And I'd certainly be offering the car for rent on any of the other 45 weekends a year when I won't be racing...
Mind you, I know that if I had a fiver for every "good luck" or "well done for trying" that I've had so far then I'd be well on my way by now....
Nevertheless, there's some good stuff here that I can incorporate into my pitches to potential sponsors - keep it coming!
AlexKing said:
Thanks for all this folks, and I have no doubt what you all say is exactly right!
I'm very aware that this is always an expensive hobby (if money was easy to come by in this, we'd surely all be doing it).
However, it's not going to stop me trying, and I genuinely think that there are things I can to exploit the asset of the car to offset the running costs to a significant degree. I'm only after £3500 through crowdfunding, so that's a maximum of 7 half hour punter-driving sessions, which should be totally possible if co-ordinated right. Likewise there aren't that many passenger rides in £3500 either.
And I'd certainly be offering the car for rent on any of the other 45 weekends a year when I won't be racing...
Mind you, I know that if I had a fiver for every "good luck" or "well done for trying" that I've had so far then I'd be well on my way by now....
Nevertheless, there's some good stuff here that I can incorporate into my pitches to potential sponsors - keep it coming!
In regards to renting the car/letting others drive it...what happens if they crash it?I'm very aware that this is always an expensive hobby (if money was easy to come by in this, we'd surely all be doing it).
However, it's not going to stop me trying, and I genuinely think that there are things I can to exploit the asset of the car to offset the running costs to a significant degree. I'm only after £3500 through crowdfunding, so that's a maximum of 7 half hour punter-driving sessions, which should be totally possible if co-ordinated right. Likewise there aren't that many passenger rides in £3500 either.
And I'd certainly be offering the car for rent on any of the other 45 weekends a year when I won't be racing...
Mind you, I know that if I had a fiver for every "good luck" or "well done for trying" that I've had so far then I'd be well on my way by now....
Nevertheless, there's some good stuff here that I can incorporate into my pitches to potential sponsors - keep it coming!
I would consider looking at a cheaper racing series to develop your skills in or have you considered a shared drive with someone or even an arrive and drive package with an established team? If you were in Scotland i'd have let you do a shared drive with me in a sprint series (although this may not be what you are looking for) for a fraction of your budget. Obviously for head to head racing this is not usually possible.
R8Steve said:
In regards to renting the car/letting others drive it...what happens if they crash it?
...and then you get accused of a car which you mechanically prepared suffering a mechanical failure which has left someone incapacitated (or worse) in hospital.You need insurance and legal cover to operate like that.
To use a time-honoured truism - it it was that easy EVERYBODY would be doing it.
Tanuki said:
...and then you get accused of a car you prepped suffered a mechanical failure which has left someone incapacitated (or worse) in hospital.
You need insurance and legal cover to operate like that.
To use a time-honoured truism - it it was that easy EVERYBODY would be doing it.
Forgot that bit, when I offered the car out the Liability insurance was fairly prohibitive. Also be careful about having you in the car with a total novice at a track day, the insurance people don't like that as it usually requires you to have ARDS. You need insurance and legal cover to operate like that.
To use a time-honoured truism - it it was that easy EVERYBODY would be doing it.
To offer what you are suggesting for your £3500 you will only see £2000 of that by the time you've paid for everything. Plus 3 days of your time, prepping the car and attending the day.
then you have the risk of a buzzed engine and an accident.
So that's 2 race weekends sorted with no testing.
Like I said I stopped asking for money as it just isn't worth the effort.
Again you aren't going to listen.....just making sure you do this with your eyes open.
I was convinced it would work, and put a shed load of work into it. Constantly canvassing and promoting. In the end I'm better off earning more money in my day job and enjoying my racing. Rather than making my racing a job as well.
Bertrum said:
In the end I'm better off earning more money in my day job and enjoying my racing. Rather than making my racing a job as well.
Once again, this guy speaks the truth.As an ARDS Instructor and coach (and someone still successfully racing in my late 30's) I get asked these questions a lot about my operating model with regards to racing.
The fact is if you are past your mid-teens and you aren't already winning nationally in karts or top tenning in a Junior series, then if you want to race cars at any level throughout adulthood the best bet is to knuckle down, get a good job and pay for it yourself - because nobody else will.
Good luck to you (an other £5 to the imaginary pot)!!
Can't add anything that's not been said, been in the Kumho BMW Championship for 3 years and chasing sponsors EATS time, tried it and properly tried it, gave up and followed this expert bit of advice, that's already been said:
In the end I'm better off earning more money in my day job and enjoying my racing.
In my first year, I didn't know many racing circuits but with the I'm a self confessed driving hero attitude, my bills got very big quickly.
No crashes, but I was no where 5-10 seconds of the pace per lap, struggling to keep up with the class below (60 - 70 hp less). So my budget ballooned as I did the Friday test days before the qually & races on sat & sun, to learn the tracks and increase seat time.
Year 2, still no where near the pace, threw a bit of the cash at the car because it was holding me back, obviously (according to me!).
End of year 2 & year 3 getting there but as ALWAYS (I had just realised it though) I am the slowest component in my car. Seat time and tuition is the best way to decrease lap times.
So in short if you are new to racing UP YOUR BUDGET if you want to be competitive quickly. And spend the money on tuition & seat time, not go faster bits!
And again Good luck (thats a tenner now!)
Edit: I was kind to myself, I was over 10secs off the pace, I just checked my qually times from Donington 2013 vs 2015 in comparable dry conditions 2013 - 1:32.6 & 2015 - 1:21.7 Car is an E36 328 btw
Can't add anything that's not been said, been in the Kumho BMW Championship for 3 years and chasing sponsors EATS time, tried it and properly tried it, gave up and followed this expert bit of advice, that's already been said:
In the end I'm better off earning more money in my day job and enjoying my racing.
In my first year, I didn't know many racing circuits but with the I'm a self confessed driving hero attitude, my bills got very big quickly.
No crashes, but I was no where 5-10 seconds of the pace per lap, struggling to keep up with the class below (60 - 70 hp less). So my budget ballooned as I did the Friday test days before the qually & races on sat & sun, to learn the tracks and increase seat time.
Year 2, still no where near the pace, threw a bit of the cash at the car because it was holding me back, obviously (according to me!).
End of year 2 & year 3 getting there but as ALWAYS (I had just realised it though) I am the slowest component in my car. Seat time and tuition is the best way to decrease lap times.
So in short if you are new to racing UP YOUR BUDGET if you want to be competitive quickly. And spend the money on tuition & seat time, not go faster bits!
And again Good luck (thats a tenner now!)
Edit: I was kind to myself, I was over 10secs off the pace, I just checked my qually times from Donington 2013 vs 2015 in comparable dry conditions 2013 - 1:32.6 & 2015 - 1:21.7 Car is an E36 328 btw
Edited by Tommo Two on Wednesday 16th December 15:30
As Bertrum has said if you get sponsorship then half the money has to be spent on giving the sponsor what they want out of the deal.
The only way I have heard of people getting sponsorship for club racing was through friends in business who would spend company money and expect little in return.
I'd suggest you'd be better off either juggling the figures (as every club racer does when the wife asks how much? !) or getting a second job/source of income to fund your dream.
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