For people who are sponsored

[Chris from Washington]

your best bet would be to get a local shop to sponsor you. but even then you cant jsut walk in and say hey i wanna compete how bout cuttin me some deals?

I was just going to suggest the same thing, that would be your best best. Find a shop you like, and become a really good customer there.. Then get to know the owner, start talking to him about comps. Just to get on the subject, then see what happens.

[Bwcad1]

thats exactly how i sponsored got to know the people and sent them a proposition. make sure you offer them advertising space and stuff like that

[alldaz]

Thanks for the advice guys

[Justin from Detroit1]

Basically, don't bother. When a shop owner hears someone asking about sponsorship, all they think is "another cheapass looking for a deal". The ONLY way I'd even consider "sponsoring" someone, would be if they have spend several thousand dollars at my shop, and I know they will go to enough competitions to properly advertise.

[Bwcad1]

thats also what i had to do. the local shop by me the car toy store didnt even say anything till i spent plenty of cash at there store and they understood that i was way way serious about being a serious competitor and they new i had the money to do so.

[Ryan from Ohio]

Seems the only real strong goings anymore are for SPL comps. The big players in these have vehicles just for this...

Also most only play one note and possibly one above/below- that is all.

Thats what competing is about anymore...

If your interested in only hearing bass and only one note go for it.

Otherwise just forget the wishful thinking and go for SQ...

[OnYrMrk]

Basically, don't bother. When a shop owner hears someone asking about sponsorship, all they think is "another cheapass looking for a deal". The ONLY way I'd even consider "sponsoring" someone, would be if they have spend several thousand dollars at my shop, and I know they will go to enough competitions to properly advertise.

That is kinda what happened to me. I spent >$5500 at a local shop all at once. They hooked me up with quality components, discounted the install and trust me to the run of the shop all because I had a rep from the 90's as a true competitor. Their decal is on my rear window, my installer will be going with me to each competition and I plan on competing in both IASCA and USACi competitions.

You don't get that kind of respect from a shop unless you are serious about competing and want their experience and expertise to help you get there.

My shop seriously thinks we have a winning combination between Audison amps and Focal speakers. I have two of the best in the business that have already said they will tune it for me.

But I am NOT SPONSORED by any manufacturer. Just by my installation shop.

[71buickfreak]

It is not a free lunch by any means. I work hard to keep my sponsors happy, which is why I can get pretty much whatever I want because they know I will do what i say i will do.

I am certainly not saying that a 17 year old kid can go out and get sponsored, it takes a lot of work and if you burn that sponsor, its going to be EXTREMELY difficult to get another. Its not a free ride, anyone who tells you they are sponsored and it was all fun and games and they didn't have to do anything is lying, its not easy. But, it is possible for regular people who aren't top-dog competitors to get full sponsorships. Thats how I started, I was nobody, competed 1 season, set some high goals (150 dB) with a unique vehicle (a 71 Buick GS convertible) and got my first sponsorship (Rockford Fosgate) It helped that I worked at a shop. I hit my goals that year, hitting 154.7 dB in a convertible (verifiable here: http://www.termpro.com/asp/competitorst ... 1&Season=0) which is the loudest true convertible in the world (Ragtop jeeps and trackers dont count, the pressure is built in the fully enclosed portion of the cab)

All of that was to say that if you don't try, you will never succeed. I only got sponsored because I asked. I didn't listen to all the peopl who said I would never get sponsored and that my convertible would never be able to hit 140.