I just got asked to co-drive for the 1-Lap

Now we're looking for sponsors and whatnot.

Any thoughts? Should I do this?

Do it! Do it!

you'll never regret it.

YOU CAN DO IT!

Uh yeah? Silly question as clearly you get to beat on a fast ride for a few days running with competitors many of us would be happy to shake hands with.

I dunno how you would say no...

As for sponsors, look for something that tells a story. The best stories get published. Sponsors want to get published.

Use a product in an unconventional way? Good. Got to teach John Belushi how to control a skid with a product? GREAT! Pitch your story to the potential sponsor, have an asking price ready, promise to deliver lots of photo and video from the competition, and include your plans to pitch the whole thing to a variety of publishers afterward.

I wish that it would be possible to make the Fairmont usable for this task, because photographers seem to love that thing on the track. It's too bad that comfort and reliability would be such an issue.

I see what you mean about the people you can meet. The car owner has already talked to Brock Yates. Then, I looked at a list of past entrants. Quite legendary. If this happens, and we end up not making fools of ourselves, it will be truly amazing.

it sounds like you've been asked to sponsor a ride but you do get to drive.

It's absolutely worth it.
What does the car owner want out of the experience? What is your role in that?
I have my thoughts about how to have a "successful" event, but we did it for fun. The goal was mid pack, bring the car home alive, drive some new tracks, meet new people (and Brock is one hell of a character) and have fun. In that we were successful. If you want to actually compete for a class/overall place, how you approach things would be different.
What car are you driving?

mazdeuce wrote: It's absolutely worth it. What does the car owner want out of the experience? What is your role in that? I have my thoughts about how to have a "successful" event, but we did it for fun. The goal was mid pack, bring the car home alive, drive some new tracks, meet new people (and Brock is one hell of a character) and have fun. In that we were successful. If you want to actually compete for a class/overall place, how you approach things would be different. What car are you driving?

These are good things to consider. This is a big event and planning is important. I did it in a shoestring budget and cheap car just for the experience, not chasing a trophy.

I think our main goals are to have fun, meet people, see new tracks, and try not to be known for sucking. The fella that invited me is a young guy that wanted to do it with his dad, but dad's not feeling up to it. This year's the year to do it (for us), because the route goes in our direction. If there's a failure, we'll be closer to home. The kid's doing all the heavy lifting/leg work so far. He's been autocrossing and circle track racing carts and mini-stocks for about ten years or so. He's a hell of a driver, but no real road course experience (not that I've got all that much, myself).

The car question is a real good one. The possibilities are a C6 Z06, a '93 Vette, or maybe an EVO of some sort.

Hopefully we can get some stuff figured out. We also gotta get the kid 2 days of track instruction, but that's the easy part.

snailmont5oh wrote: The car owner has already talked to Brock Yates.

Probably Brock Yates Jr., as senior was diagnosed with alzheimers years ago and has largely withdrawn from the public eye. He is a hero of mine and I miss hit wit and wisdom.

I think it was Brock Jr.

One Lap usually has a school a month or so before the event.

WDCRSCCA has a PDX at Summit Point mid-March. 2 days, they have amazing instructors, and the Summit Point Circuit is one of the courses we'll be on. Of all the uncertainties with the whole process, the two days of instruction is the only thing that I'm sure about.

Sounds like it's developing nicely! I'm jealous of the opportunity!

I'll be there to cheer you on in the northeast!

@ Wonko: It seems to be. There will be more directed talk of sponsorship after we get clear of the holidays.

The car owner informs me that he has secured sponsorship. Looks like it's on!

NO regrets do it!

Looks like we're leaning toward an EVO at the moment, so I'll have to learn all-wheel-drive...while trying to go fast with an all-wheel-drive.

What can you offer sponsors in return? They need to see some sort of benefit for giving you free gear/labor etc.

I put together a package offering different levels of media coverage and space on the car for sponsor stickers.

It was hard to get free gear, I was able to get some stuff at a discount. No one really wants to just give you money, I was able to get free labor.

I had the largest audi website putting our updates on their main page, plus had print coverage in some of the regional newsletters, plus pictures all over the web, plus a blog.