I didn't want to put this in the TEKIN thread, but Hank made a comment...and this thought came to me.

Not sure how it is now but when I had a couple of big name sponsors I had to sign an exclusivity contract where I could not run a competitors product.

What I find funny about this is - TO BE a SPONSORED DRIVER you have to sign a contract NOT to run a competitors product - BUT if someone creates a racing series - and has a SPONSOR that supports that series, so they create their rules which doesn't allow a competitors product - Oh...that's BAD.

Too funny.

A race series or organization allows ALL drivers who run under the rules of that series or organizations...but a MFG. will NOT allow a driver to race - if their PRODUCT isn't allowed.

I think it's ridiculous to take toy car racing that seriously. There should be a rule against it. LOL.

Sounds alot like Nascar!

People make a living off this toy car market, and in all honesty it's bigger than any other type of racing out there. If I had a sponsor giving me product and I was a representative of that company, Why would I risk losing the deal by putting a competitors product in my car? If a series had a rule stating my sponsors product was not allowed, I guess I'm not running that series. When I was sponsored by Pro Match, that is all you saw in my cars, and the deal wasn't even that good, but it's a matter of being loyal to those who help you out.

the deal wasn't even that good, but it's a matter of being loyal to those who help you out.


But, if a race organizer does and or thinks the SAME WAY - people slam him.

But, if a race organizer does and or thinks the SAME WAY - people slam him.

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/images/smilies/ohsnap.gif

If Mike Boylan came out next year and said Snowbirds was only open to drivers running LRP speed control's, trinity batteries, jaco tires, protoform bodies, and KSG chassis he's be doing 2 things. Severely limiting the amount of entries he gets. Face it, I'm not sponsored by any of these companies, but I'm still not going out to buy the stuff to be able to race. So a percentage of your "joe racer" crowd is gone. Then, your shutting down a bunch of sponsored drivers from being there. So in the end he's really doing nothing but hurting himself. Race sponsorships and driver sponsorships are nothing alike, and to compare the two is almost impossible.. However if a race organizer wants to shut out certain manufacturers, he has every right to. It's his event and there should be no crying about it. You want to run, there are the rules, follow them or save yourself the trip.

If Mike Boylan came out next year and said Snowbirds was only open to drivers running LRP speed control's, trinity batteries, jaco tires, protoform bodies, and KSG chassis he's be doing 2 things. Severely limiting the amount of entries he gets.

EVER Hear of an ULTRA-BIRD motor?

see, for the most part - I really don't care what the UPPER level racers do. My hopes are that they STAY OUT of the lower level classes...and with that, allow UPPER level classes where 'sponsored' drivers SHOULD BE - to run ALL available products.

But putting limitations and controls on Lower level classes I feel should be encouraged and practiced MORE.

Handout motors are one thing, telling me I have to run a specific speed control or chassis is a little different. Like I said, nothing wrong with it if it's your event and that's what you want, but your only effecting your bottom line because you'll cut entries in half if not less.

I was told I could run in the BRL using the equipment allowed in their rules.

Unfortunately your never going to be able to tell a driver he can't race in a class because he has better stuff and more skill. Just isn't going to happen. it would be nice, but it's just not going to happen. When I go to my local track and see guys like Steve Miller, Pete D'Agnolo, Bud Denning, and yes even Brian Ziegler there, how do you think I feel because I'm going to racing against these guys. Personally I like running with more talented drivers because it's a good gauge on how i'm doing as a driver, and I learn more that way.

As far as the lower levels, Unless your running a spec class, it should be open to run whatever you want. I have no sponsors anymore, but I am loyal to certain manufacturers. If someone told me I had to run a windtunnel body over a protoform body, I'm not doing it. Some people don't care what they run, some do. I guess it's all about what series you run and what your comfortable with.

Spec Racing is Spec Racing no matter how fast. What defines Spec racing is a list of "Specified" rules where any aspect of the racing is limited to a certain brand, model or make.
The purpose of SPEC racing is to level the playing field where each racer has nearly identical opportunities and possibilities to set their race car to the track. Since everyone has a equal chance at developing a winning car, the results of the race are normally based on the skills of the driver not the amount of money spent.

A positive aspect of SPEC rules is that it can(not always) alleviates the cost of consumables and non-consumable items during the course of a racing season.

One Negative aspect of SPEC racing is that the rules restrict the development of racing technologies and prohibits other racing manufactures from being able to enter that market.

In the end, SPEC racing is better suited for smaller racing venues, while Open racing is more suited for national/regional venues.

It has always been the case that if a race mandates a specific brand of equipment your sponsor allows you to run even if it isn't their brand. I have never heard of any sponsor saying you can't run XYZ race because our speedo/motor/battery whatever isn't allowed.

For example, Reedy drivers didn't have to stay home from ROAR nats when Trinity motors were the handouts.

pmsimkins,
since the motors were equal the difference in the win could be the difference's in ESC's. I am sure if SPEC racing class or league allowed more brands of ESC's there will be more Sponsored drivers from other ESC companies competing.

pmsimkins,
since the motors were equal the difference in the win could be the difference's in ESC's. I am sure if SPEC racing class or league allowed more brands of ESC's there will be more Sponsored drivers from other ESC companies competing.

I'm not even sure what you're talking about.

All I've said is that no sponsor deal I've seen or heard of prevents you from running a race if your sponsor's equipment is not legal.

...it must be summer time :rolleyes:

...........

I'm not even sure what you're talking about.



Remember

What wins on Sunday, Sells on Monday


Because the SPEC rules only showcase the Drivers skill, not the product there is no incentive to for a sponsor to allow their driver to compete in that style of racing when it is not thier product being raced. The sponsor would have better results putting thier driver in races where thier product can be seen as a winner. What wins on Sunday, Sells on Monday

Handout motors have been a widely accepted part of racing for years. What if you went to a race and you were told your LRP Speedo wasn't legal? Are you going to buy a Novak just to run that race? Same deal with a sponsored driver. If you were sponsored by LRP, are you going to spend your money to get a Novak to run the race? We already spend enough money to put these cars on the track every week, and someone telling me I have to buy a specific piece of electronics to be able to race doesn't float.

Like I said though, that is a decision the promoter of the race and the racer has to make. Personally if I'm representing a company and I'm told I can't use the product and have to buy something else, I'll pack up and go home.

Personally I like running with more talented drivers because it's a good gauge on how i'm doing as a driver, and I learn more that way.


EDIT! Forgot to add. I agree about driving w/ the more talented drivers in most cases. But too often I hear horror stories of the BETTER drivers losing patience with the less talented drivers...and then the less talented drivers QUIT showing up because them get tired of feeling intimidated.

So, I guess the long and short of it is kind of like this.

If for a series or single race - the rules state ONE MFG. motor/battery/tire/body or what ever it may be... they way you need to look at it is 'THOSE ARE SPEC CLASSES'

I myself as a race director/promoter/orgainizer what ever you call it - I'm generally open to people running things that don't conform to MY rules... BUT - that have to either have enough others to join them to make the 'minimum' number (Which is easy at most of my races...cause it's 4-5 on short tracks)

IF that particular class grows legs, and more people want it...It's looked at for a possible addition. If it doesn't grow legs, it's only run WHEN those people who WANT it - show up to run it. (AKA Modified, SFM (Stupid Fast Mod - Open MODIFIED Motors, either Brushed or Brushless..w/ LIPO batteries)

One of the classes that has grown that way in our series is our NASTRUCK class. It's consistantly the class that MOST of the racers never miss a race. They are NOT the Fastest drivers, the top level drivers...but they do have some of THE MOST Fun.

And that is exactly what this is supposed to be.... FUN

...very MUCH agreed!~ :)

Remember

What wins on Sunday, Sells on Monday


Because the SPEC rules only showcase the Drivers skill, not the product there is no incentive to for a sponsor to allow their driver to compete in that style of racing when it is not thier product being raced. The sponsor would have better results putting thier driver in races where thier product can be seen as a winner. What wins on Sunday, Sells on Monday

You're over-dramatizing sponsorship. The companies don't have an expectation of dictating a racer's schedule because they give them $60 off on a speedo. Be realistic.

Even for the small handful of guys who are actually paid to race, none of them primarily oval racers by the way, what you're saying isn't really true. At least not the way you phrased it.

- I really don't care what the UPPER level racers do. My hopes are that they STAY OUT of the lower level classes...



Good luck with that one.....:drunk:

PMSIMKINS,

I didn't over dramatize. It is the simple truth, a sponser will not pay for someone to do something who is not showcasing their product. Wether it be racing, cooking or scrapbooking. Sponsorship is a form a marketing. So if a sponsored driver wants to go race on their own dime with other products so be it. But it if they have a clause in a contract that says they can't then they can't participate unless they want to end their contract.

PMSIMKINS,

I didn't over dramatize. It is the simple truth, a sponser will not pay for someone to do something who is not showcasing their product. Wether it be racing, cooking or scrapbooking. Sponsorship is a form a marketing. So if a sponsored driver wants to go race on their own dime with other products so be it. But it if they have a clause in a contract that says they can't then they can't participate unless they want to end their contract.

Ha alright you win. You would clearly know more about this than me, LOL.

Have a good one.