Mountain Bike Racing - Racing and Sponserships

I would like to start racing but I don't know where to get sponserships, anyone here race and if they do could they explain how they got started???

Have you raced before? Do you have any results? Do you actively particpate in a club or with a team?...Do you have a resume...you don't just get sponsored you have to earn it. Then after that it is a job.

To start racing all you need do is enter a race. Simple.

To get sponsors, you will need to race at least one season with good results. You do not need to place first but the top 3 to 5 would help. Also, you need to be able to sell your self to a sponsor. What can you do to help promote their products?

Also, do not wear dark colors while racing. Use lighter colors so people will notice you. You need to look professional especialy when first starting out unless you can seriously rip on a bike.

As mentioned you will need to put a resume together with what you have accomplished with regards to cycling.

Not many companies sponsor beginner racers unless you are young and have potential to get better. If you can, try and find a local club that has a racing team. They will usually have sponsors. Get some races under your belt with them. It will help you learn what needs to be done.

:beer:

yep. generally you need some RESULTS before you can get sponsored...

although there are some clubs that provide some level of sponsorship -- free transport, free/reduced entry, equipment/maintenance, etc.

if you get lucky you can find a "recreation" team with sponsors looking for riders: the club in Massachusetts (forgot the name, but sponsored by a beer company) that my ex-girlfriend rides for accepts new riders in most classes and re-imburses the entry fees if you wear the team jersey and finish the race, as well as provides bananas/beer/drinks after the race... but this is not so easy to find (i currently ride "for" my club, but they don't pay anything -- although i get free gear and i get paid from my club for leading tours and giving training)

i agree with everyone else on the points made. if you are in college and your school has a team, join it. you will save some money on race fees and parts depending how the club is setup. that's how ours is at least. there was just a rather lengthy discussion about this on ridemonkey.

sponsorship emails (http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66453)

you can search the forums over there too since it is a question that comes up regularly.

I'm in a club at my school, but i haven't heard alot of sponsorship information. Are there any age restrictions?

Nope...I don't believe there is. However in Canada (unsure of the states) there is age restrictions for competition. A little guy I know was 11 and couldn't race but smoked everyone on the mountain a year or two older. He had to wait to fit into a class to be excepted. I would definately find out what your provincial governing body is and talk with them. Also try

www.dropmachine.com as it is an Ontario based dh site (run by a guy now living in Whistler) and there should be tonnes of info there I would think.

http://www.ontariocycling.org/web_pages/add_recreation/rec_advocacy_b.html
http://www.gearsracing.com/html/index.php

Both should help. Gears racing sets up a lot of canadian based races and sponsors a pretty big team with a good dynamic of skill. They sponsor xc, dh, and roadies. The other site is the ontario governing body I believe.

The youngest racer I have seen on the hill was 4yr. If you are under 18 you will need a parents signiture and they have classes to acomidate the younger called "junior" cat.

:beer:

Lucky guys. Maybe it is a bc thing to not let them race :D