What do drivers make in sports car racing? This is just one of the topics covered in this week’s Business of Being a Race Driver. I also have tips on seeking sponsorship, lessons from the 2025 Motorsport Sponsorship and much more!
The Business of Racing
AutoWeek looks into the current pay status for drivers racing in sportscars and the feedback reflected back from the drivers is that these are boom times. Of note:
- Increased opportunities are part of the rising tide created by the convergence of hybrid prototype rules between IMSA and the World Endurance Championship.
- The demand for drivers is fueled in part by the complication of the hybrid cars.
- With a bumper crop of 37 GTD Pro and GTD entries among the 61 starters, there’s high demand for drivers who are quick in IMSA’s GT3 machinery.
Read the full article here.
Ken Ungar from sponsorship agency Charge draws lessons on seeking sponsorship from what happens when you visit a car dealership. “”No” is the most powerful word in the English language. If you can’t say “no” in negotiation, you’ll make a bad deal. Guaranteed. You messed up because you couldn’t say no.”
Read his full article here.
Eric Morley of Blue C has a great recap of the recently concluded 2025 Motorsport Sponsorship Summit. The 2025 Motorsports Sponsorship Summit was a hub of knowledge and innovation, equipping professionals with the expertise to navigate the rapidly evolving sponsorship landscape. From networking tips to technological breakthroughs, attendees worldwide left with the tools to create impactful, results-driven sponsorships. For more information or to watch the past sponsorship marketing summits, go to SponsorshipSummits.com
Racers on Demand reflect on attending the 2025 Motorsport Sponsorship Summit and they found that two key factors are important to obtaining sponsorship but are often misunderstood. One is the importance of winning and the other is the importance of authenticity and content. Read their article as they explain how to incorporate both approaches and why it is important to understand “your own why.” You can read it here.
Riccardo Tafà of RTR Sports explains how to create a winning sponsorship proposal while avoiding common mistakes. “Avoid generic benefits, but offer unique and creative solutions that are in line with the sponsor’s objectives that you have gathered when you first talked/met. ” You can read the full article here.
Charge Sponsorship explains how you should be prepared before you start selling sponsorship.
In a recent LinkedIn article, Benjamin Potter explains the importance of looking beyond the surface of the platform you were trying to sell. “The reason I was successful in bringing 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝘂𝘅𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 was because I wasn’t selling the racing that was happening on track. I was 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 that was off the track behind the scenes.” Read his full post here.
The Rod Campbell Award, established to honor the memory and legacy of the late motorsports executive Rod Campbell, is returning for its fifth consecutive year. With the 2025 edition being announced in December 2024, the prestigious award is now accepting applications from individuals aged 18 to 23 who are pursuing careers in automotive or motorsports journalism, public relations, marketing, sales, business development, or sponsorship. The application window will close on February 1, 2025.
The winner will be selected by a panel of industry executives and professionals from both motorsports and automotive sectors. In addition to gaining invaluable experience, the recipient will build connections with influential companies and individuals who can help shape their professional future.
How to Apply:
The application process is open to individuals aged 18 to 23 who are pursuing careers in the following fields:
- Automotive or motorsports journalism
- Public relations
- Marketing
- Sales
- Business development
- Sponsorship
Get all the details as well as where to register here.
The Costs of Racing
In their 2025 season guide to Formula Regional Oceania, Feeder Series explains some of the financial benefits to racers to those involved, or considering getting involved in the USF Pro Championships.
The series has seen an increase in drivers from the United States since Toyota Gazoo Racing, the organisers of FR Oceania, partnered with Andersen Promotions, the organisers of the USF Pro Championships, in 2019. This partnership offers the top three drivers in USF Juniors, USF2000 or USF Pro 2000 a waived entry fee for FR Oceania of $NZ 7,500 (approximately $4,250 US).
Additionally, drivers who competed in all five rounds of the previous FR Oceania season have their entry fees waived for either the two-day Chris Griffis Memorial Test in the fall or the two-day Spring Training test early in the current year. USF Juniors runs at the latter, while USF2000 and USF Pro 2000 run at both.
You can read the full season preview here to get a taste for what the series is all about.
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
