Mona

By Mona DeShong

Rider support is a big part of the game but not so easy to score. You have to know what you are doing to get the goods and/or the dough. Sponsorship is a business partnership that you enter with a company. The more value that you offer a company the more they will be willing to help you. Sponsorship can really help you, but you have to know how to get it. With that said, I interviewed the following key players in the industry to get their input on this important issue.

FMF: Tom Wallace Rider Support Manager
FOX: Todd Hicks Fox Race Team manager
MAXXIS: Wade Buffington Sales
KLOTZ: Chuck Weir Racer Support
IMS: Jason Smigel IMS Products, Sponsorship
SPONSORHOUSE: R.J. Krause Athlete Memberships

ATV SCENE: Can you give a brief overview of your support program?
FMF: FMF’s rider support program is designed to give back to those we feel have earned it, levels of support range from free products to a limited discount. Support riders also get additional technical help from FMF support staff at major events around the country. For our amateur riders the goal is to guide them though their amateur career and on to an FMF sponsored Pro team.
FOX: The Fox team consists of 100 athletes. Out of these 100 athletes we usually carry over 95% of them to the following year.
MAXXIS:We offer three levels of support currently. We have a few riders who receive free tires at our top level. Below that is our “Pro” level which offers a substantial discount for riders. Then we have our entry level or “Associate” level which is also a discounted price on tires.
KLOTZ: Our Racer Support Program involves product discounts and for GNCC racers, track side support.

ATV SCENE:Do you try to choose riders from different areas/districts that race different events/classes?
FMF: We try to get a cross section of riders (age, ability, area, type of racing ).
FOX: We are looking for marketable personalities. People that perform well on and off the track.
MAXXIS:We like to help as many people as possible. There are some parts of the country that have more riders than others. Some regions have a better race series and have more “up and comers”. They may end up with more riders because of this. However, we do try to spread out our help to get the most coverage.
KLOTZ: The most important things for us are that the racer is progressing and races a full schedule each year. Professional attitude, appearance and equipment are also very important.

ATV SCENE:Roughly how many resumes do you receive annually?
FMF: 5000 to 7000
FOX: Close to 3000 a year.
MAXXIS: Around 500 plus each year.
KLOTZ: Over 1500 resumes last year and it grows every year.

ATV SCENE: What is important to you in a support resume, what makes it stand out?
IMS: Most importantly keep your resume short and simple. Keep in mind the people that are going to be reading these resumes receive hundreds every year. We receive everything from single page hand written (complete with spelling errors I might add) resumes, to full videos put to music. Yes they are very impressive but keep in mind its content that counts. So here are my 5 easy steps to making you’re resume.
Biography
Start with the basics, name, age, address, bike, class you ride in and important people that help you with your race program (i.e. mother, father, girlfriend, etc.) Remember they are your biggest sponsors.
Itinerary: Put together your schedule for the upcoming year. List the different series you plan on racing. Even if it’s only local events. These are very important.
Existing Sponsors
This is also very important. Keep in mind most reps. and team managers from all the various companies you so eagerly want to back you, talk to each other all the time. We see each other at the numerous events that we frequent, everything from the Annual Dealer Show in Indy, all the way to just working the local races. We talk to each other about our biggest and best names (of course), but we also discuss the one to watch out for. (Remember the Bradshaw era). Simply put, “don’t burn down any bridges.” Even if you and a sponsor need to part ways do it tactfully. You may need that sponsor again some day down the road.
Photos
This is the fun part for reps. A couple of shots is all that’s necessary, but make sure to include an action photo or two. A shot of you’re trailer or box van. (Do I see IMS anywhere?) and finally a head shot of yourself no helmet. This helps me to remember you and put a face to your name.
The Hook
This is probably the most difficult part of Resume Writing. Give me a paragraph or two on what you can do for the company. We already know what we can do for you. What singles you out from the other applicants? Cover things like you’re attitude, professionalism, commitment and sportsmanship. You get the idea. Sell yourself to me.

Most companies start accepting resumes between September and close February or March. Just remember to keep it brief and have fun with it. Remember its only racing and as long as your having fun you’ve already won.

FMF RACING: We request that all riders looking for support fill out the 2002 FMF application, the application when completed gives us all the information that we need. You can this year for the first time fill out and submit the application on line at fmfracing.com or alternatively send us a stamped address envelop and we’ll mail one to the applicant. We do not want riders own resumes as they rarely contain all the information we are looking for.
FOX: The most important thing in a resume is your results. Presentation is always important too.
MAXXIS: A rider who is doing a series is good. This shows more commitment than just a race here or there. Also, someone who has good backing from their family. We like to be able to help the people who are wanting to move up in the sport. It is not all about winning races to get help. It is more about showing up, looking good, representing yourself well, and having a good attitude.
KLOTZ: Two of the most important things in a resume are a photo (make sure the Klotz decals are visible) and how is the sponsorship of the racer going to benefit Klotz. A well-written resume that the racer put some time and effort into makes it stand out. If a racer just fills in the blanks on a form with minimal effort and info, it makes me think that maybe that reflects his attitude at the track. Make sure that you include all of the important information: personal info., name, address, phone, etc. Also what type of machine you are racing, what type of racing you do, what class/classes you race, major events that you have attended this past race season, and those that you plan to attend next season, how often you race (per month), your results, and any other sponsors that you have acquired.

Here’s some advice:
When putting your race resume together, be as brief as possible without leaving anything important out. We read hundreds of resumes every year and we appreciate a well-written resume. Please check for spelling errors. Make your resume short, to the point, easy to read and honest. Tell us what you can do for Klotz. We only want racers with a good positive attitude representing us at the track. Tell us about your contribution to the sport including your professionalism and sportsmanship. Here is a basic layout of what we’re looking for:
Personal Information: Include name, age, address and phone number. We get countless resumes without an address on them.
Accomplishments
Summarize your racing career and accomplishments. We get hundreds of resumes and we can’t read page after page of race results and clippings.
Vehicle Information: Tell us what type of vehicle you race. Include details and unique features. Be sure to include what class you will be competing in.
Race Schedule
We want to see what series and tracks you are going to race at during the coming year. Include a complete schedule, including local and regional races.
Current Sponsors
We like to see who else is supporting your team. Please no conflicting sponsors.
Photos: We cannot stress this point enough, send color photos! Include a color photo of your race vehicle and trailer/hauler (where are the Klotz decals?). Also, include a color photo with your face clearly visible (no helmet) so that we will know who you are. You will also need to submit a color headshot (1in x 1.5in) for your Klotz Racer Support ID Card. Color action photos are great for our web site.

ATV SCENE: Are there any plans to raise the fund limits with the new media coverage (GNCC)?
FMF: FMF Racing already support’s the GNCC series over and above any of our competitors, for 2002 we plan to increase the level of support for some of the riders, but more importantly we plan to attend more events with support vehicles and staff.
FOX: At this time, no. When we receive the new budget for 2002 it will be discussed then.
MAXXIS: Our plans for the GNCC series are still in the works for next season. We will be a part of the GNCC series for many years to come. We have already increased our level of support with our new support trucks. We have two full time support trucks that travel to all of the AMA Supercross, Outdoor Nationals, GNCC, and selected other major events.
KLOTZ: ATV racing is very important to Klotz. We have been involved with the GNCC since it’s inception and very heavily for the past 6 years. As the sport continues to grow, our support will grow. With the increased media coverage racers need to remember that the only reason companies provide sponsorship is to sell more product. Make sure that decals and logos are visible in camera shots and during podium interviews. AND PLEASE MAKE SURE TO MENTION SPONSORS SPECIFICALLY DURING INTERVIEWS!

There are several ways to find and apply for sponsorship, but the hardest part is finding them. Some of the larger companies are offering on-line applications this year. One of the big stories this year is a new company that has emerged in dedication to sponsorship. Check them out if you get a chance: SPONSORHOUSE.com, it is definitely worth the time! Sponsorhouse has emerged into the racing world with one thing on their minds, you. It is a website that is dedicated to helping the riders get what they deserve without all of the hassle. By leveraging digital channels of communication, such as the Internet and email, Sponsorhouse is revolutionizing the sponsorship process offering riders important tools for securing sponsorship while providing companies with more marketable racers and reduced time and expense finding them. They have approximately 60 companies on line in their database that your resumes are accessible to. Below is a conversation with Mr. R.J. Krause about their one-of-a-kind company.

ATV SCENE: What is Sponsorhouse?
SPONSORHOUSE: Sponsorhouse, Inc. provides online sponsorship management services to action sport athletes and leading sponsors. By leveraging the Internet and email, Sponsorhouse has revolutionized the sponsorship process offering athletes important tools for securing sponsorship while providing sponsors with more marketable athletes and reduced time and expense finding them. Gone are the days of typing resumes, endless photocopies, stuffing envelopes, and the lengthy envelope-licking sessions. Similarly, companies will no longer have to deal with processing their resumes manually and replying traditionally via mail. Sponsorhouse eliminates all this through its website, while providing a quick and easy to use solution for riders seeking support and companies who need a more efficient solution in 2002 and beyond.

ATV SCENE: How’s it work?
SPONSORHOUSE: We designed a step-by-step process to maximize the effectiveness of sponsorship searching. The process includes sponsorship education, in depth background information on companies and sponsors including sponsorship requirements, a structured online resume template with sections for event results and photos as well as interactive tools for submitting cover letters and resumes to sponsor reps at leading companies directly through Sponsorhouse.com. No struggling with incomplete resumes, proper format, company contact information, letters, postage or mail.

ATV SCENE: How does a company utilize this program?
SPONSORHOUSE: We offer companies a complete online solution for managing their sponsorship program. Real-time access to accept, view and reply to resumes from high-value athletes, 24/7 operations, searching, resume screening, and personalized services are all aspects of Sponsorhouse’s value that make it an effective and easy to use system. Sponsorhouse’s goal is to help companies spend more time managing important aspects of their business and less time reviewing and replying to resumes.
Companies also control a customizable online profile to efficiently accept, view, organize and reply to sponsorship requests via the Internet, not mail.

ATV SCENE: How much does it cost a company?
SPONSORHOUSE: This service is available to companies at no charge.
What Make Us Different

ATV SCENE: Do you offer any other benefits to a rider after he or she submits a resume?
SPONSORHOUSE: We sure do. We provide each athlete with a customizable online profile that can be altered, updated, and/or edited all season long. Sponsorhouse also works directly with sponsor reps at leading companies to help provide athletes with valuable sponsorship criteria and useful knowledge for strengthening relationships with sponsors and securing sponsorship. Athletes are educated about sponsorship and sponsorship expectations prior to beginning a search for sponsorship in an effort to help increase each athlete’s marketability for companies.

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