Resume Time
It's no secret that racing motocross is expensive, and the odds are good that if you're reading this, you are already hopelessly entangled in its costs. But there is a way to ease that burden slightly: getting sponsored. You don't need to be a national contender to get a little help from the industry, as most companies are happy to sponsor dedicated racers who will help get their products exposure at local racetracks.
And while you don't need to be a superstar, you do need to make a good case for yourself with your resume. So because we're in the heart of resume season--most companies accept sponsorship applications from September to November--I asked Layne Kolbet, a regional rep for Tucker Rocky, which distributes the brands Answer, MSR, Pro Taper and many others, to lay out some guidelines for riders looking for a little support. Here's what he wrote:
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The biggest thing to remember is that a sponsorship is a privilege, not a right, and everything costs something. Nobody owes you anything because you race! Nor do you necessarily deserve anything either. If you are giving a discount on a part, it’s that much less money a shop or company is making. When you get a free t-shirt or stickers, they all cost something to be made. Ain’t nothing free!
Here are my resume tips:
1. Keep it short and sweet. Don’t ramble on. The maximum is 3 pages, not including a cover sheet. Remember these companies get thousands of resumes every year.
2. These companies are interested in how many local events you do. They are looking for grassroots racers. The company I work for spends hundreds of thousands of dollars sponsoring the fastest man on the planet on a moto machine. They aren’t interested in some kid running 20th at some amateur national who isn’t racing locally. They want your sponsorship to impact the local area. List some series results and some from the bigger races. You don’t need to always be a front runner at the local events either. Companies want to see you racing, out there giving it your all.
3. Include pictures, but don’t get carried away with the riding photos. Taking a pic next to your bike is always nice, but make sure the bike is clean as well as your grill. Show yourself hanging in the pit at a race. Don’t be afraid to include a pit shot with the family unit too.
4. If you use the product, talk about how great it is and what you like about it in your cover letter.
5. DON’T BS! Many will do a follow-up check. Also, don’t double-dip sponsors. In other words, don’t have two sponsors that do the same thing that are competing companies.
6. Mention school. Talk about your grades and other activities you do. Baseball, fishing, being in a band, etc.
7. Have a goal, but don’t say the same ol' garbage…I want to be the next supercross champ…I wanna be on a factory team. List something realistic that you can achieve this following year, like “I want to be the Junior SMRA Nevada State Champion,” or “My focus will be the next...series.”
8. Tell what you are going to do for your sponsor. Think about it: are you just walking around with your hand out?
9. If you are offered a sponsorship and decide not to take the deal, take the time to write a letter saying thanks but no thanks. Being professional, even on the local level, can help you!
10. Be loyal! Loyalty goes a long way with sponsors. Don’t jump around looking for the bigger, better thing. If you get something a lot better, tell your current sponsor and give them a chance to match the offer (if it gets to that level.)
11. Start local and hit up your local shop. Give them a resume and tell them what you would do in return for a discount.
12. Lastly, always carry a resume with you. Have it up-to-date, because you never know who you’ll run into that may be interested in you.
If you have any questions, I’d be glad to help answer them.
Peace-n-wheelies,
Layne Kolbet
Aka Mr. Moto
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So there you have Layne's tips. Happy sponsor hunting, and be sure to remember me if you get a good tire sponsor. I could use some good take-offs.
