[toprudder]

Lots of good advice here.

Getting sponsership is not a reward for your accomplishments up to that point, although your accomplishments may be what gets their attention. The sponsers expect something in return, as well they should. You are an ambassador for them, representing their company and products. Any behavior that puts you in a bad light is not good for them.

Once you gain sponserhip, certain things are expected of you. If you are being sponsered by an RC related company, you will probably be expected to use their products in competition. What happens if you decide that is not the best equipment on the market?? Perhaps the sponser expects you to attend a certain number of events during the year, and even have to travel to a couple of events that you would not normally attend. They may or may not expect you to pay for the travel expense out-of-pocket. These are things to consider.

I've often thought it would be nice to get sponsership from a person or company not directly related to the hobby. More freedom to use the equipment of your own choice, all the sponser really cares about is their logo appearing at public events.

I guess what I am saying is that a sponsership MAY be nice, but it ain't no free ride.