Ah, the optimism of youth...I kinda remember that...
Not to make the punchbowl any more distasteful, but "Been There, Done That, Got the T-Shirts". I didn't win the Runoffs, but I finished top-ten for three years straight, the last one on the podium with a new lap record. When I went knocking on doors for pro rides, I was quickly invited in, right as they asked me how much sponsorship money I was bringing.
Ben, racing is a business, and it's all about money. Figure out a way to get the money and you'll find a ride in no time at all. But, "No bucks, no Buck Rogers."
I just finished reading (for the third time) a good book by an English driver named Perry McCarthy, "Flat Out, Flat Broke: Formula 1 the Hard Way!" The gist of the book is how Perry wanted to race in Formula One more than anything, and this autobiography describes what he went through to get there. I firmly believe that this book should be required reading for anyone wanting to make it their career as a motorsports driver. If, after reading this book, you believe that you have that level of motivation and commitment, and you believe that you could make the same sacrifices that he did, then you're on the right track.
If you want to break it down to simple economic terms, it's easy: not much supply in cars for drivers to drive, but a crapload of drivers wanting to drive. Supply = low, demand = high, thus price to the demand = high. Simple economics.
Not only Club racing and lower echelons of Pro racing, but Formula 1 (and CART, and IRL, and even NASCAR to a degree) work the same way. Did you know that probably half or more of the Formula 1 grid consists of guys that are renting their rides for millions of dollars? Oh, sure, it may SEEM like they're getting paid, but in truth they're not; they got there because they marketed themselves to a sponsor that's paying the bills to the race team for that ride. Without that sponsorship, those drivers would not have the ride. If you think these guys are getting paid to simply show up, ask Giorgio Pantano how come he wasn't driving in Canada this year...
Schumacher is on the opposite side of the spectrum. He's the best in the world, there's only one of him, and the teams want him to drive their cars so they can win, plus use him to attract high-dollar sponsors. Low supply, high demand = high price to the teams. Those drivers, such as Schumacher, that reach the pinnacle of their careers - and there are damn few of them - get the bucks, while everyone else pays to be there.
There are probably a few drivers in World Challenge that get a paycheck to be there but even those that may aren't simply folks that show up on race weekends. I am very confident that along with any paycheck comes responsibilities to the folks that do pay the way, the team sponsors. When someone improves their craft and becomes a value to those teams and sponsors, their cost of racing gets reduced to the point where they might be able to make a living, but Joe Nobody doesn't have that advantage. Joe Nobodies (95% of the field) are writing checks.
If you and I walk the paddock at any World Challenge event and look at the folks that are successful, I could describe how virtually each and every one of those persons got there through significant sacrifice, dedication, and severe motivation nearly to the point of self-destruction. I could point out guys that slept in their cars at night while looking for a ride, others that drove total pieces of crap just to build experience and a name, and some that spent each and every personal penny (and a lot that was not theirs - thanks MasterCard!) just to make it to the next event. Oh, sure, there are successful drivers that didn't have to go through that, but they instead chose to spend their time becoming successful in their other-than-motorsports careers so they can afford to pay for racing. VERY few people are there simply because they're independently wealthy and suddenly decided to go racing; most worked very hard at it to the exclusion of everything else.
And this is not necessarily unique to auto racing. Look at other low-supply entertainment spectator industries (which is exactly what racing is). How many two-bit actors and garage rock bands are out there living hand-to-mouth, trying to get their big break on Broadway, Hollywood, or the stage at the local Holiday Inn? For every Ben Afleck there are thousands of Joe Schmoes, for every Metallica there are hundreds of "Bob's Bad Name Rock Band." Look at professional sports: think all those guys slogging through minor golf tourneys are making the bucks that Tiger Woods makes? Ever look into how much Minor League baseball players get? How many players actually make it to the NFL from college ball? Racing is no different. DO you think you’re the next Ben Afleck? What do you think your chances are getting there? What’s the risk of your instead becoming a two-bit actor on off-Broadway plays waiting tables 5 nights a week and living in a flat in Brooklyn?
The one main difference, however, between those other entertainment industries and auto racing is that in Hollywood and Broadway you can't write a check and star in the latest blockbuster show, you can't write a check and play in the Masters, and you can't write a check and be in the World Series. In auto racing, however, if you can afford it YOU can pretty much be in Formula One, and a LOT of people try to get there that way.
If you want success, you have to be ready to earn it. Learn all you can about business in general and the motorsports business specifically. Train yourself to be presentable and marketable. Learn to drive, sure, but learn to be a saleable commodity, because that's what you'll be as a driver. Then, work like hell to market yourself and prove to a corporation that you will make them a return on their racing investment; no one is going to walk up to you and hand it to you. If you do that, if you get that sponsorship, the rides will quickly follow.
If you only remember one thing about sponsorship, it’s this: it’s not what they can do for you, it’s what YOU can do for THEM. Then deliver it. If you want to success in professional racing today, you need to think of it as a business and behave appropriately. You have to learn how to market, and you have to learn how to present yourself. Your driving ability and racing success is *FAR* down the priority totem pole if a pro racing career is in your future. Yeah, you need to have some ability, but with that wad of sponsorship cash you will get the ride. By the same token, no matter how good you are, the guy with the wad will get the ride over your bare hands.
Me, I chose to finish my education and promote my career instead. I decided to do this for fun, not for food. After a 10-yr absence I was able to come back and enjoy this on my terms. And I have no regrets. What about you?
Find a copy of McCarthy's book and read it. It's an eye-opener.
GregA
