Decals and Sponsorship, a poll

[Dave Barker]

In motorsport we are constantly searching for new sponsors and Solo 1 is no exception. One of the advantages to potential sponsorship of the Solo 1 series is that many of us use our street driven cars to compete in and if sponsorship decals were to be displayed for the season on a street driven vehicle,(as opposed to just on the weekends at the track) the exposure for the sponsor would be far greater than from ,for example, a regional race car that was only seen by the converted at amatuer events on weekends and then parked in a garage somewhere. The purpose of this poll is to guage the willingness of competitors to have their cars carry sponsor decals on the street.

One of the obvious issues brought up by this is that a number of drivers have "Trailer Queens". Possibly some sponsors would agree to them running decals on their daily drivers.

Personally I feel that sponsorship at the Solo1 level ( or Solo2 for that matter) could provide great exposure for existing and potential future sponsors for remarkably little cost.

[Nissan Racer]

I will, and do, run full decals on my street driven car, I think we owe it to our sponsers.

[AirCooln]

My feelings are this.....

Leaving decals on my daily driver? No way. I'd rather not attract police attention to the car on my way to work and getting groceries.

Leaving decals on my track car that will street driven to race days and a few brit cars days? Sure, but I get to leave the numbers on the side too. It will either look like a race car, or not at all.

Decals on race day? Of course! Anything you want.

[ctenche]

On race weekends, most definitely! But just putting around the street, no way. For one, I think the police have enough fodder and we don't need to give them more. Secondly, it would look a little silly when parked at Loblaws.

[Nissan Racer]

I ran a full decal package on my car (SoloI and Solo II decals) all year and not once did I have any problems with police. Not even a second glance. I think if you behave yourself, theres no problem. As for looking silly. I have ended up have many conversations in coffee shops, mall parking lots etc. getting the chance to explain what SoloOntario is all about. I see it as a plus, both for the growth of our sport, and to give kids an option to streetracing. I have gotten tours of high school auto shops (I know of one Catholic high school that is building a Formula SAE car and is now interested in bringing it out to the regional Solo II events next year.)
Obviously we can't make decals mandatory on the street. But I see it as a chance to advance the sport. It should, however, be absolutly mandatory for all cars at events. If you don't run the sponsors decals on your car at event, you shouldn't be allowed to run. Period. Its difficult enough to get sponsors in the first place, without having them see pictures (like some of the cars I have seen pictured in Inside Track) devoid of their names. They make it possible for us to have events. We owe it to them to show our support.

[Chris91GT]

No slot for this reply...

I fully support my sponsors, but I won't decal up a street vehicle (in this case, the tow vehicle). I would be willing to decal the trailer since it has a single purpose and is just begging for graphics.

[Nissan Racer]

Originally posted by Chris91GT
No slot for this reply...

I fully support my sponsors, but I won't decal up a street vehicle (in this case, the tow vehicle). I would be willing to decal the trailer since it has a single purpose and is just begging for graphics.
Well with a slow truck like yours, I wouldn't decal it either :p

[Chris91GT]

Why not? Wouldn't you like reading the logos on the tailgate?!

[Dave Barker]

You MUST use decals on the wkends at the track or you don't run. Any cars that have got through onto the track without them have done so in error.

I'm with Nissan Racer about this. I have run different decals in recognition of our sponsors on my street car ( which is both my daily driver and solo 1 car) with no interference from anyone but it has been a conversation starter. BTW I think the Police are smart enough to figure out that decals do NOT make a car go faster. Only problem is that my wife always knows where I am ( you know, need to take a taxi to the girlfriend's etc.)

What about this scenario? Due to the lack of sponsorship it is possible that fees may have to increase next year. What if there was a discount to those running decals on their street cars, paid for by the sponsors in recognition of wider exposure for their advertising $.

[Nissan Racer]

Originally posted by Chris91GT
Why not? Wouldn't you like reading the logos on the tailgate?!
Only if you mount the tailgate on the front grill and write the words backwards :D

[Chris91GT]

Honestly... it's a truck. You don't really think I'll LAP you, do you?

[DECH_92]

I agree with Dave B and Nissan Racer.
I have no problem running sponsor decals on my car to promote the sport.

[Nissan Racer]

Originally posted by Chris91GT
Honestly... it's a truck. You don't really think I'll LAP you, do you?
Only if you use the infield...

[Nissan Racer]

Originally posted by Dave Barker
You MUST use decals on the wkends at the track or you don't run. Any cars that have got through onto the track without them have done so in error.

I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure in the current issue of Inside Track, there is a picture of an RX7 running at the Solo I at Cayuga without decals on it.

[Chris91GT]

Originally posted by Nissan Racer
Only if you use the infield...

Whatever works. I've got ground clearance. :D

[Nissan Racer]

we still talking about the truck? :D
http://www.wiredmotorsports.com/soloontario/gallery/2003/Event%202%20-%20May%2024%2C%202003/.th/th-chris_atkins_mudstang.jpg

[Chris P]

Dave, it sounds like an excellent idea.

PS, maybe cops don't bug old fart and thats why you've never had problems :p Good thing they don't care about old CRX's too.

[ADAM]

how does this sound.....how about we get the option to pay MORE not to run any decals....

after looking at the solo 1 books...the overall impact of sponsors is really not that much in the first place from what i remember....correct me if i am wrong

so far running decals on my car has not been an issue since its a 14 year car with crappy paint job...BUT i have been using those magnetic sheets with the decals on them....and i can 100% safely say that that magnetic sheet product destroys the paint below it...and eats off the clear coating...for me so far this is not an issue.....but anyone who has a nice car with nice paint job has something to think about IMO

what would the "penalty" costs be not to run decals? or have sponsors to solo 1....

what is the impact to solo 1? what is the impact to the bottom line? (exactly)?

adam

[Chris91GT]

Originally posted by Nissan Racer
we still talking about the truck? :D
http://www.wiredmotorsports.com/soloontario/gallery/2003/Event%202%20-%20May%2024%2C%202003/.th/th-chris_atkins_mudstang.jpg

[waving flag] Cheap shot!

[Taylor]

Hrm.... there's a number of ways to look at this...

You're effectively "ricing" out your daily driver so that your Hobby (maybe you run 4 events a year) gets better sponsorship. I agree with Caius, it's a little silly (especially one some cars) to have them on while loading up your groceries, picking up your mother, going out to dinner with your significant other.

However you're also helping a sport you love get better, or less expensive. And as it's amateur motorsport, that's part and parcel of the whole experience/hobby.

I dunno that the cop attention is much of a legitimate excuse. I ran permanent wired, sponsor and soloontario decals on the S2000 for a couple years. Never once got pulled over. That said, the car looked more like a company car than NASCAR.

But the reality is I don't see everyone saying yes, or everyone saying no.

So I think incentive (in terms of lower entry fees) are in order. the only problem with that is it's difficult to use "option" to leverage sponsorship. Solo doesn't KNOW how many WILL do it, so what promises can they make to the sponsors. I know as a sponsor, under these conditions, I would just see anyone running them as a bonus, but would never use that feature of the sponsorship package as justification because it's a total unknown.

*I* would run them, but then again, I'm likely to run Wired ones too.

HOWEVER, should a Solo 1 sponsor conflict with a personal sponsor, I would not run those decals outside of event days. Though I may very well be one of the handful of people with personal sponsorship but allowances should be realized for this possibility.

Of course the Solo marketing people COULD almost sublet some sponsorship so that these Solo 1 sponsors can effectively personally sponsor Solo 1 drivers (thereby passing product or savings to the driver who decides to run the decals, it's more appropriate that way... and I guess if Solo 1 tied these contingencies or awards to event participation (the more events you attent the better your "reward") then you've incentivized more people to compete which also helps the entry fees, series' health and improvements.

What isn't fair, is people who won't run the decals to get the same level of benefit (be it entry fees or whatever) as those that do.

But I think it should be presented in the fashion as Solo 1 sponsoring the driver otherwise people will bellyache that they have to pay more but don't want to marr up their company car or family car with racing decals (which I think is a legtimate complaint). It may seem a little discriminatory. So it's best Solo 1 make the arrangements with the drivers and it's a "program" the Solo 1 drivers can participate in which happens to include these additional benefits. (put their name in twice for prize draws or something... there's all kinds of things that could be done that would help drivers and the series and should help attract additional sponsorship via the introduction of such programs.

[TYSON]

I would not run decals on the street, my car is already too conspicuous. After hearing the story of one of our local competitors and his day in court I have no desire to try it.

However, my car would have full decals at any SOLO event, car show or charity cruise event, even if it meant applying new vinyl each time.:)

[Nissan Racer]

Originally posted by Chris91GT
[waving flag] Cheap shot!
Hehe..you really walked into that one :D

[CCCargirl]

I would prefer to see optional street display of decals. It is my preference to run as low-key a car as possible - for several reasons.

1) avoiding unwelcome and unwarranted attention from police. Even without illegal mods, it is still a nuisance to be pulled over to be checked out. And it IS harder to blend into to local scenery if you just happen to going faster than the posted speed limit - accidentally, of course.

2) avoiding unwelcome attention from other drivers on the road. As a female driver, I find this a non-trivial concern. I have been followed, raced, chickened, and have had to put up with obvious attempted intimidation tactics by maladjusted male drivers who have trouble coping with female competence. Automotive stickers look aggressive enough to attract this kind of attention even when driving in a non-assertive manner.

3) avoiding other drivers showing off around me.

4) not wishing to show up at clients' offices in a business suit and a race car plastered with stickers. Some people STILL do not get it that competing in motorsport or even being a car aficionado does NOT make you a lesser member of the human race. While I disabuse them of this notion when I can, calling attention to my commuter vehicle is not cool in a professional situation. Looks too much like moonlighting as well.

5) incongruity of certain stickers. Sporting a German car dealer's logo on a Japanese car looks dumb, and may be misinformational to the motoring public. Or one tire maker's sticker while driving on other product.

By all means, reward those drivers who can and will sport the stickers on the street, but please make it optional.

Thanks, btw, for asking.

[Nissan Racer]

Originally posted by CCCargirl
I would prefer to see optional street display of decals. It is my preference to run as low-key a car as possible - for several reasons.

1)
And it IS harder to blend into to local scenery if you just happen to going faster than the posted speed limit - accidentally, of course.

(You've never done this...have you?)

2) avoiding unwelcome attention from other drivers on the road. As a female driver, I find this a non-trivial concern. I have been followed, raced, chickened, and have had to put up with obvious attempted intimidation tactics by maladjusted male drivers who have trouble coping with female competence. Automotive stickers look aggressive enough to attract this kind of attention even when driving in a non-assertive manner.

(Sorry about that :D )

3) avoiding other drivers showing off around me.

(Again...sorry)

4) not wishing to show up at clients' offices in a business suit and a race car plastered with stickers. Some people STILL do not get it that competing in motorsport or even being a car aficionado does NOT make you a lesser member of the human race. While I disabuse them of this notion when I can, calling attention to my commuter vehicle is not cool in a professional situation. Looks too much like moonlighting as well.

(I thought it made us look like SUPERIOR members of the human race?)

5) incongruity of certain stickers. Sporting a German car dealer's logo on a Japanese car looks dumb, and may be misinformational to the motoring public. Or one tire maker's sticker while driving on other product.
(what if I have a different manufacturers tire on each corner of the car :p )

By all means, reward those drivers who can and will sport the stickers on the street, but please make it optional.

Thanks, btw, for asking.

[CCCargirl]

Just so you know, NissanRacer,

1) got the T-shirt
2) so that was YOU driving with your %*@&? Red mist? Nah, not you.
3) see 2
4) need a professional accountant/bookkeeper?
5) so THAT's where the stagger on your car comes from? Wow, four left feet.

[Dave Barker]

Candy, I wouldn't expect that running decals on street cars would be manditory but the purpose of the poll is to see what sort of numbers MIGHT run them before a sponsor is approached.

BTW on this forum CCC usually refers to the Car Classification Committee (which is not everybodies favourite).

[CCCargirl]

Hey Dave,

After the general success of the linear approach this past season, I can't see any complaint with CCC. But who the heck is 'argirl'?

(signed) CCC - argirl

P.S. By the way, I have dibs on the initials - I think I got them first. LOL

[Chris P]

yeah, candy may be a year or two older then our little committee. Just maybe :p

[Dave Barker]

Right now we are running about 2:1 in favour of running decals but c'mon guys there have got to be more than 26 people on this forum running Solo 1. Need a larger sample size.

[Rob McAuley]

I like running smaller decals full time, and larger decals at the track. I can get a couple of sponsors on my back-seat windows, and still keep it low key.

I'd also consider something at the top of the front windshield (Speed Channel?).

Pass on the full sized decals plastered all over the car.

[TYSON]

Originally posted by Rob McAuley

I'd also consider something at the top of the front windshield (Speed Channel?).




Heheheh!

If you land us Speed Channel as a serious sponsor with air time I'll run that decal too!

And I hate decals!:D

[haniforama]

I would not run any decals on the street on my paint.

I have and only have run one decal on my car on the street (unless i'm making a Timmy run) and that's at the top of the windshield. Since my first days starting out at PITL, it has always been a tire sponsor (i don't know why - it just was).

Back then it was BF Goodrich, now it's a series wheel/tire sponsor Wheel and Tire Zone.

Every year around this time, the cold and ice tends to break it off. Every spring, when mounting up a new set of tires, i put a new one one.

It's become tradition :)

Hanif

[Nissan Racer]

Originally posted by haniforama
I would not run any decals on the street on my paint.



Hanif

I use them to hide the stone chips :D