A question for discussion.

[inmymind]

I understand why a sponcer would want to be part of contigency, but why have it only go to the podium finishers? MOST of these race drivers are already getting there product for free or sponcering the race driver already. I think It would be much more appreciated and needed from 5th-10th. What do you think.

[SPONSOR]

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[mgobaja]

If you were to be the vendor, and wanted to run some publicity for your sponsored car, would you want your add to say :

Proud Sponsor of class ?? , driver name , 9th place finisher in the Baja 420 race

Proud Sponsor of class ??, Driver name . 1st place finisher - looks so much better to the general public

[inmymind]

Mike, I know this going into this thread-But like I said in the original post "MOST"race drivers are already getting money(sponcership) or the product given to them so they(manufacturer) can already make your claim. The contigency program almost doesnt make any sence excepted for the advertising part of the program.

[mgobaja]

I agree, it would be nice to see some more of the " wealth " spread around to the teams that appear to need it more.

[DailyPedal]

First off, there are not very many off road racers receiving free products of any kind...front or back runners. Some get a little help from distributors or manufacturers but not many. Second, there have been quite a few contingency sponsors that have given awards to last place in class or last finisher, you just haven't heard of it.

[TCPRacing]

I feel like contingency is a scam...Anyone that does not CONSISTANTLY finish in the top 3 is only doing harm to themselves by putting stickers of contingency sponsors on their cars in my opinion. What they are doing is giving FREE advertising to a company that is going to give money to a racer, or race team, that is already in most cases more funded than the teams that are finishing outside the top 5. I would rather give that space on my truck to someone that supports ME and my racing program than give it to someone that is giving money to my competitors.
Now if I were Fig or Leduc, my story would most likely be much different.
I believe that if mid-packers all stopped participating in contingency, we would all eventually get more sponsorship from those companys that are giving out contingency dollars.
When I see the huge dollar amounts being given out in some series it just makes me feel like I have that much less of a chance to compete. Not because I don't believe in myself as a driver, but because I have learned first hand that racing at the professional level takes lots of time, lots of help and lots of $$$$.
I think everyone that has not finished top three in at least half of the races they participate in should stop bending over and giving free ad space away. Save that space for the people that are willing to help either with product, money or even discounts if that is all you can get.
If I was not so busy trying to get all my under funded vehicles together, I would like to make stickers that say "contingency" with a red X across it
I'm getting down off my soap box now and look forward to the verbal abuse I will most likely receive
And "NO" I won't put your sticker on any of race vehicles for FREE.

[inmymind]

Well Joel it looks like I picked your favorite subject!

[inmymind]

It just seems like there could be a program for maybe the top three priviteers at every race. And then at the end of the year a special award givin out to the top priviteer. I think supercross has a program like this.

[JBofSD]

I have to agree with Joel...you are basically making the rich richer. There isn't any support for the little guys to help them grow. We choose to not participate in any contingency for the same reason Joel stated. We will only run companies that have supported us with product, or money.

I have to now disagree with DailyPedal...we have been able to acquire over $80k in just product sponsorships this year. It isn't easy and is almost a full time job in itself, just emailing, and following up.

[Mary Kay]

I happen to work for a race series and was surprised at the racers who wouldn't do the sticker thing,

After reading Joel's well stated post, I now see it from a different point of view. Joel made a ton of sense.