How do I get sponsorship for karting?
 Most drivers’ first sponsor is their own resources, or their family, or a relation within a company that can afford to help. Getting a sponsor is never easy and should be put to one side until you are getting some results. First get your name known locally. Send brief race reports with photographs to the sports editors of your local papers, they are usually happy to print this. Target local companies and franchises by finding out the name of the boss and writing directly. Sponsorship is not charity, it is a two way business deal. In return for giving space on your kart for the sponsor’s name, perhaps supplying your kart to that company for special events, maybe providing hospitality at race meetings for the sponsors guests, they give you money or products to help with your racing. They will be looking to increase the brand awareness of their products or services, making them better known. A good trick is to have the agreement of a well known company to put their stickers on your kart for almost nothing, or perhaps in return for free products. Then other companies will think you are being sponsored by them, and may want to join in, this time with some more money or more products. Another is to enclose a letter with your sponsorship pitch from a well known driver or official who is willing to say how much promise you are showing. Don’t make your letter too long, busy people have not got time to read long applications. Follow up by phone a few days later. It’s never too early to start building up contacts in local companies.
Media forms
 When you enter a championship, very often you need to complete a driver media form. This gives the race commentator all the information about you and your sponsors. Find out the telephone, fax numbers and emails of your local newspapers and radio stations in case they are needed. Keep a list of all your race results and any cuttings from the papers and magazines for your portfolio. Always fax or email your results to your sponsors and helpers after every race.
Websites and Business cards
It’s easy to have your own website these days, but do keep it up to date and topical, with plenty photographs. Get some business cards and postcards made, they are very cheap from companies like VistaPrint. Get as many other websites as possible to link to yours.
Interviews
If you are lucky enough to be interviewed, have a little speech prepared to thank your sponsors and friends, and always sound excited and enthusiastic. Never use the time to make any accusations against other drivers.
 Contract agreement
If you are lucky enough to find a big sponsor, draw up a letter of agreement with them. This should show what each of you is offering the other. When you announce the deal, try and get a celebrity to be in the photo.
Working for a team Sometimes the bigger race teams will need help at the championship race meetings, and maybe in return they would help you to race at the smaller club meetings. Perhaps they would even lend you one of their karts.
· Intro
· How do I get my karting licence?
· Which kart class is right for me?
· Where do I race?
· Do I buy a kart and run it myself, or hire?
· What karting equipment do I need?
· How do I get sponsorship for karting?
· How do I improve my karting skills?
· Where can I find out more?
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