76 www.dirtwheelsmag.com
At the riders’ meeting, they will go over
staging information and how the day
(or night) will be run. Pay attention and
learn as much as you can. Each track or
event may run things a little different.
Basically
any sanctioned event
will have a
Christmas
tree start
and timed
lights at the
end of the
run.
On the
front end of
the quad,
solid struts
can replace
the shocks.
make your racing experience even
more fun. Don’t speed through the
pit area raising dust or let your dog
off the leash. If someone needs some
help, help them. When your race is
announced, go to staging promptly
and follow the starter’s directions.
Relax, breathe and focus.
WIN OR LEARN
Sometimes you win; sometimes you
learn. Whether you end up on or off
the podium, if you’re serious about
winning races, you take notes on
everything that’s worked for you or
not worked that day so you can learn
and improve. If there is a race pho-
tographer at your race, make sure
you buy photos of you racing. Every
race experience is a one-off in your
life, and photos capture that unique
moment and allow you to share the
excitement with family, friends and
potential race sponsors later. You can
also learn from photos or videos of
you racing.
ATTRACTING SPONSORS
Sponsorship is a partnership. A
sponsor makes your racing more
affordable, and you promote your
sponsor to increase the sponsor’s
sales. There’s basically two types of
sponsorship support: “Flow,” where a
racer receives discounts on products
or services, and “Pro,” where a racer
has earned free products or services
and, usually, financial support.
Many companies serving off-road-
ing customers offer Flow support to
racers and have sponsorship appli-
cations on their website. Sites like
HookIt.com and Promotive.com host
vendors offering discounts on product
support. Your local ATV dealership
is an excellent potential sponsor who
might be willing to help your racing
by offering you discounts on every-
thing from fuel and tires to riding
gear.
Create a racing resume with photos
that you can submit to potential sponsors. Keep your racer, trailer, hauler and personal appearance clean
and professional. Keep your sponsors’
decals prominently displayed on all
of your equipment, and talk about
their products and services wherever
and whenever you ride. Send supporters, Dirt Wheels magazine and
your local newspaper’s sports editor
a brief update of your race activities
with photos regularly. Above all, keep
your racing fun! ❏
