[BillyGoat]

I’m going to start this off by saying that I know absolute nothing about sponsorship in the R/C world. I do have some knowledge of sponsorship in another endeavor.

Topflight, in my experience you may want to look a little bit closer at those that “seem” to be sponsored. Just because they own a shirt, hat or put the companies name on something doesn’t necessarily mean the company is behind them. Even though they would like your impression to be that they are. This is unfortunate for the guys that really are and trying to do right by the company?

In the world of sponsorship not everything is shipped gratis. Often there are different levels of sponsorship. For every guy that gets his equipment free, so to speak, there are many more that just get a good factory discount.

If you’re looking for a way to help fund your addiction, might want to think again. Unless you’re in the upper ranks of competition, the whole economies of scale really doesn’t work out. Take the dollar amount of merchandise given to you and then divide it by the amount of time spent doing PR for the company, like posing for pictures or pressing flesh in a booth at events. The money is better working partime at McDonalds. One thing I’m surprised not mentioned yet is reporting to sponsors. Time must be taken periodically to send a report regarding events you plan on attending and how well you did competing in previous.

Then there is a lack of freedom. Let’s say a guy has a really good deal with a company that offers several different products. The guy needs to use a thing-a-ma-gig but the companies thing-a-ma-gig really pales in comparison to one from another company. He’s locked in even though it may cost him a couple first place trophies. Also along the freedom lines there is often time asked of you when you would rather do something else.

It may sound like I’m bagging on sponsorships but I’m not. Often the relationships work out really well. I’ve just seen too many get dropped like bad habit because they thought all they had to do was perform well and wear the shirts and hat.