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Hi all- Yep, officially out of the racing biz for a while (working on a sponsorship of my own through owning a new business... and lurking here amongst the friends I made while at the old Maloy...) -but thought I'd add an idea about race sponsorship that may make sense. At least, it's a different way to approach it.

Clearly, sponsoring an xSR only works if you have money that you don't need- rather pay my race team for legitimate "advertising"- rather than not taking an advertising opportunity and paying more tax on business profits... no where in the tax code does it say you have to make "smart" expense decisions...

Anyway, as a business owner, I probably won't sponsor a team for someone else- unless I see some benefit. I also know, I probably won't be selling products to those that are watching the race- so that doesn't make business sense to me.

What might make sense to me (and perhaps others) is to sponsor an "event" that included racing as the focal point. If some enterprising team were to create a VIP environment where I could invite my business customers to join me with with there customers- provide a unique environment for them to do "business" with there customers- that might make sense. At least its an interesting differentiator for my business. The goal is not active participation- just an environment. Here's how it might go:

1) We all meet at an SCCA race event (I know, that's problematic too- due to insurance and "membership" restrictions- but go with me here)

2) My customers welcome there customers to our pit for an afternoon of fun -families too, where appropriate. Just being part of the "scene" is pretty fun.

3) In between racing my customers do biz with their customers (mostly relationship building and perception managment -brand building- kinds of stuff) so that Monday morning, more orders flow through...

4) The end of the day ends however it may on the podium, but the bottom line is that we -and especially the race team- treated MY customers (and theirs) like gold

5) My customers thank us for such a fun event and look forward to talking with us about it every time we call the next quarter. Because of the environment, we make SALES!

Again, the strategy isn't to get me to buy a sponsorship to sell stuff to someone that might see my name on your car- it's much different. YOU help me provide a selling / relationship event where MY customers sell to THEIR customers.

Just thought I'd add a different approach. NO, I don't have the dough in my biz right now to sponsor you- but if someone approached me with this concept, I'd really think about diverting advertising dollars that could help me accomplish my strategy of growing market share. At least it's a more controllable advertising expense than spending a few thousand on a print ad or mailing campaign... because it's interactive! - and MUCH more fun for all involved.

Anyway, food for thought. I miss not interacting with all ya'all, but know that I'm still here lurking -and saving $$ to come join you in the future!

Don McCandless
ex GM at Maloy Racing (Great Job so far Matt!!!)
now CEO of a Granite company