Interested in Becoming A Sponsor?
What does it take to be a race, or season, sponsor for ERCU?
Sponsors of the club, and of individual events have the opportunity for prime banner space that all spectators and racers see throughout the event.
Normally, a sponsor will coordinate with a club member who will in turn work out the details with the club’s board race coordinator. Prizes may be awarded also. Some of our racing-related sponsors donate merchandise for the event. The sponsor may designate how these are awarded. They can be awarded by place, or given away in a drawing. One sponsor gives product to all participants and support members. Some sponsors have also chosen to provide snacks and beverages for racers and officials.
What would this cost?
There are several packages available to those interested in sponsoring the club, as well as different options. Potential sponsors can pick from either season-long packages, or from race packages.
What will the sponsor get in return?
Because these sponsorship packages are designed at graduated levels, the benefits available to sponsors vary. Please take a close look at each of the sponsor packages to see what sponsors get for their money. Whenever “extras” are provided to members, sponsors are also included in counts for these “extras” the club might produce, whether they are DVDs of the season or individual events, handouts, gifts, or other miscellaneous items.
Event sponsors can place banners at the entrance to race sites.
Sponsor banners are also allowed at the entrance to race sites, where they get a large amount of exposure to both spectators who are attending the event, and drivers passing by the race site – whether they plan to attend or not. Oftentimes, these banners attract curious onlookers to stop by and find out what’s going on.
Where are these races held?
Races on the ERCU Championship Series are held throughout western Washington and in the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. In 2012, five new race sites have been brought online and new sites in Tacoma, Kirkland, Chehalis, Longview, and Elma will expose 1/10-scale fast electric unlimited to new audiences. Traditional race sites in Portland (Tualatin), Bellevue, Marysville, Maple Valley, Centralia, and Woodland remain on the schedule for 2012.
Who sees sponsor messages?
ERCU has regular followers who keep tabs on the club from around the world via our website, which records more than 3,000 page views and 1,800 unique visitors per month – even during the offseason – and they’ll all see sponsor messages and have access to links to sponsor websites on every page of the ERCU website.
At race sites, spectators see any banners that sponsors provide for display on the drivers stand and/or fencing at the site. They also hear messages and name mentions for the sponsors on the public address system throughout the event. Title and presenting sponsors’ names and messaging is provided over the PA numerous times at each of the 13 races during the season, as well as any special events ERCU participates in and at the club’s annual End of Season Banquet in November. Additionally, each of the club’s members gets numerous emails throughout the year, all of which include logos and links for the title and presenting sponsors in all cases.
Who do we talk to about sponsorship?
Some events allow for spectators to judge the boats for a "Best of Show" award, which brings fans close to the racers and the pits.
If you already have contact with one of the local contest directors, talk to them. All of our contest directors have sponsorship information available to them. If you’re interested in sponsoring and not sure of who to get a hold of, contact our marketing representative, Nelson Holmberg. He’ll make sure to answer all of your questions, get you the appropriate materials, or put you in touch with the right person, if you’re more interested sponsoring a single event.
If, after you take a look at the packages, you find you’re interested in sponsoring, but have special requests, contact Nelson and he’ll be happy to work with you on how to make an agreement work for both sides.
We look forward to working with you and your company to answer your questions and hopefully welcome you to the ERCU racing community. We’re excited that you’re taking a look at sponsorship opportunities with our club, and we think you’ll find a great return on your investment by participating in our club as a sponsor.
Whatever level you might be interested in participating at, we’ll welcome you with open arms. Thank you for considering ERCU. We hope we’ll be hearing from you soon.
