ok it's like this, I really need a sponsorship. I'm broke, due to a car wreck (not my fault)that totaled out my 98 eclipse gsx (which i had invested major money in). And at the time of the wreck i still had not paid it off. Sucks yes? Needless to say that i went on the car hunt. I knew that i wanted a VAG car with a 1.8t in it because i have read on how rock solid those motors are. I was really hoping to find a gti but naturally everything was well out of my price range, or a piece of crap. Finally i came across my 1.8t Beetle. but there in lies my problem, it's a beetle. and everyone looks down on it as a chick car. and it is. So i would like to add some muscle to it by upgrading to the k04 turbo, upgrading the intercooler, and adding the GIAC chip. (of course there are other things that are involved in this process). the car makes 150bhp stock and is surprisingly quick, i've bested quite a few "streetracing" civics. but it's not enough. I want to totally own the next mustang gt that pulls up next to me and refers to my car as a "girl" car. and i can do that with ~$5000 which will bump me up to right around ~300bhp. I've done the research. I just don't have the bank to afford it. I've done everything i can using my resources as a graphics designer at a sign shop (that's why my car looks great). now i need to add some go to my show. If anyone knows anything that can help me out i would greatly appreciate it.  

here are some pics to help show my story is legit.

 

It's actually pretty easy to gain a sponsorship, but there are a few prerequisites.

You will want to look up other sponsorship applications online. You should also invest in a ticket to the next HIN show or nearest local car show and chat up some of the owners there. The important thing is that you're dedicated to making your car a show car. Sponsors will invest time and money into your car, but you better be willing to return the favor when they call in their IOU.

Once you have a proposal prepared, research various up and coming companies that are offering partial sponsorships. Don't expect to send in an app to Greddy and get a turbo kit for your beetle, because that's not how it works. Start small with various companies willing to get you on your feet and work your way up.

Your proposal should consist of several elements. First and foremost, is your information. Who are you? What do you do? Why are you trying to get the sponsorship?
Next you want to tell the sponsor about your project. Get them interested in what you're trying to achieve. Don't tell them you just want to beat Mustang GT's at your local street race, because that won't earn you anything, infact, most sponsors will trash your app if they suspect you do anything illegal with your project car. There's no point in them dragging their name in the mud when the press finds out their sponsor car just got crushed for street racing, and accidentally killing a kid. Next, prepare a list of shows and advertising opportunities your car will be featured in. List any car clubs and active communities you're in as well. Last, but certainly not least, tell them what you want, when you want it, and why you need it. If all else fails, you can try carsponsorships.com. I've heard good things about carsponsorships. You won't be getting anything high-end, but you will definitely be getting something.

I hope that helps you on your way. Let me know if you have any other questions regarding sponsorships. I myself am not sponsored by any huge name companies yet, but I've three sponsors under my belt as of now; Optima Batteries, Anzo USA, and Advanced Flow Engineering.  

Great reply.  I've updated my proposal.  Thanks man  

Great advice : )  

The first thing I would do however is lose the vinyl.

It's not clean, and looks very tacky to me. Just my 2 cents.  

^I'll have to agree.

Vinyls are a very touchy subject to most car afficionados. Unless you're sponsored by someone or have a very tastefully executed vinyl design done to your car, I'd stick to focusing on other ways to grab attention. Most guys who exhibit their cars at shows either keep it garaged, or put the vinyls on right before the show and take them off right after. keeping vinyls on your car for extended periods of time will lead to paint fade around the areas and you'll be stuck with a permanent reverse imprint of the vinyl in your paint. The next time you go to a show, check out the cars and you might find that some of them made that costly mistake and now their custom paintjobs have a permanent "greddy" or "yokohama" logo embossed into thier bumpers.  

I actually change my graphics about once a month. I work at a shop that makes them.  

^Nice. I was thinking about investing in a vinyl machine a while back, but I have a ton of buddies with vinyl machines now so it's kind of pointless.  

and why buy something when your buddies 'll lend you theirs right. I took everything off this weekend and am thinking about having the car painted primer black.  

Stay away from any company that wants you to pay in advance for a potential sponsorship!!!  (Carsponsorships.com)  If you don't believe me than just do a search on the internet and you will find hundreds of people who have been ripped off by this company and others like it.  I've been in the industry dor over 10 years and I second all the info stated by others with the exception to pay-per-sponsorship sites. I even have friends who were foolish enough to give those companies their hard earned $90 only to see a decal kit and partial sponsorship to companies that they would never use and at prices that they could easily beat if they just shopped around.

Personally, my advice to you would be to build your car yourself so that you do have to bother jumping through the hoops of the sponsor companies.  In addition you will earn more respect from your peers if it is all your own blood sweat and tears.  If done correctly, sponsors will approach you and you can pick and choose what you want.

Best of luck.

Q.  

We are looking to provide possible sponsorship to serious people as enthusiastic about this sport as us. Send me an email with some pics of your car and we can show you our program. adamzatko@sngperformance.com  

sponcerships are so hard to come by iv lookd by many local places and most just arnt in the area of the TUNER car stuff.. most of the guys are about old school... just look around local... dont look for anything to big right of the bat... i have 12k-13k into my 91 talon and i havent gotten a damn sponcership yet... and iv almost tried that carsponcerships *** a few times claiming im good for around 34 sponcerships but id rather put my $90 into the car and know were its going rather then paying some on else to sit behind a computer and laugh at how dumb i am.... thats just my 2 cents... good luck and clean car.