do you guys recommend any particular races to get a sponsorship?

[giant rules!!!]

i live in socal and am a good rider. i am signed up for one race so far and am looking to do some others (the traverse, toad festival, racers and chasers, 12 hrs of temecula.)
do you guys know of any races that teams or companies look at and will ask for me to join their team after i do well in that race?

thanks

[LowCel]

What class are you racing? How much experience do you have? Generally the best way to start is at your local bike shops. They generally have teams and this will help you out as far as getting discounts and having people to train with.

There are many different degrees of sponsorships and types of teams. Something tells me if you have to ask this question you probably aren't ready to be sponsored by any of the big teams or sponsors. Those sponsorships are few and far between.

Also I hate to say it, but it's probably to late this year to get much as far as sponsorships go. Most of the companies need your resume by October, November at the latest.

[mkraus]

If you win races then people will notice.

[ZeCanon]

Based on your username, and the question you asked, I'm going to generalize and say you are not fast enough for companies to be looking at you. Your best bet is to find a local club.

Sorry. Please correct me if I am wrong.

[dminor]

Based on your username, and the question you asked, I'm going to generalize and say you are not fast enough for companies to be looking at you. Your best bet is to find a local club.

Sorry. Please correct me if I am wrong.Can I correct you if you are arrogant?

GR, you are in the hotbed of mountain bike racing; so doing almost any race, unless you kill the field, is not going to get you 'noticed.' But if you have better-than-average communications skills and get some good results this coming season, you may be able to parlay them into a modest grassroots sponsorship or two.

Results are kind of like BCS' Strength-of-Schedule rankings for college teams - - results in a National-caliber race will mean more than a local series. In other words, I would look at events in California like the Sea Otter Classic, the Fontana NORBA National and whatever other NORBA Nat. you can get to. The caveat here, of course, is that the competition is far stiffer. But even if you don't get on the podium, a top-ten finish will carry a certain amount of panache - - especially if it's in one of the more hotly-contested younger classes.

Don't expect anyone to "ask you to join them;" expect instead to gather your results, build a race resume and apply next fall/winter (like LowCel said) for all of the grassroots-type sponsorships that you can apply for. Don't get discouraged; it would not be unusual to send out ten or more to the most likely prospects and get only one (or none). But one is all it will take to get the ball rolling -- trust me.

Good luck this season!
Doug

[ZeCanon]

Don't expect anyone to "ask you to join them;" expect instead to gather your results, build a race resume and apply next fall/winter (like LowCel said) for all of the grassroots-type sponsorships that you can apply for.

This is more what I was referring to. I can't think of anyone on these boards that is getting "asked to join" anything. I've always had to search out sponsors and teams.

And how was that arrogant? It's the truth. You have to be in the very top level of the sport before companies will start actively pursuing you. It's called reality check. Thankfully, you're nicer than I am and you explained the usual/proper method of acquiring sponsorship :)

[dirtbikedude]

i live in socal and am a good rider. i am signed up for one race so far and am looking to do some others (the traverse, toad festival, racers and chasers, 12 hrs of temecula.)
do you guys know of any races that teams or companies look at and will ask for me to join their team after i do well in that race?

thanks

You want to be on a team? Call up The Path (http://www.thepathbikeshop.com/) and also check with No Brakes Racing (http://www.nobrakes-racing.com/)

A lot of fast, local guys and gals started on those teams. They have riders from beginner to Pro on both teams, at least they used to.

As for someone picking you out of the crowd . . . unless you are ungodly fast and have a great, outgoing personality, you will most likely have to search for a team. Oh yeah, and start up a page over at SponsorHouse (http://sponsorhouse.loopd.com/Default.aspx) and get e resume going as well.

DBD

[dirtbikedude]

Oh yeah, head out to Fontana for the SouthRidge races and speak with the racers there. Good friendly bunch.

Also, seeing as you are a local, check out SoCalTrailRiders (http://www.socaltrailriders.org/) if you have not yet.

DBD