Approaching businesses for sponsorship can be one of the toughest parts of being a race driver—but it doesn’t have to be a shot in the dark. This week on The Business of Being a Race Driver, you will get practical ways to make the sponsorship process easier, along with advice on getting more from your social media and other insights to help you build a more professional and sustainable racing program.
Overview
The Business of Racing
How to Approach Titan Fuel Tanks for Sponsorship
Mike DeFord, Director of Marketing for Titan Fuel Tanks explains why you should never start your sponsorship approach with an email and how sponsorships are about relationships.
How Race Weekend Sponsorship Activations Work Trackside
Beyond logos on cars, sponsors increasingly build entire trackside experiences at race weekends, turning sponsorship into an interactive part of the fan experience rather than just visual branding. Backfire Racing explains how race weekend activations work trackside.
Treating Your Career as a Start-Up Featuring Mac Clark
This week on the Motorsport Prospects Podcast I chat with Canadian race driver Mac Clark who delves into the business side of racing and explains why you should be treating your racing career as a start-up. explains why sim racers need to be fit to maximize their performance on track.
The episode drops this Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM EST. You can listen to the episode and subscribe to the podcast here.
Behind the Helmet
Take a quick look at your social media. Cars. Race results. Sponsor logos. Podium photos. But how much can someone actually learn about you?
If potential sponsors know more about your race car than the person driving it, you could be missing one of the biggest opportunities to build connection.
Listen to this episode of the Motorsport Sponsorship podcast to find out why showing the person behind the helmet matters and no, it doesn’t mean sharing your entire life online.
James Ort Explains Why to Think of a Sponsorship Like Dating
Branding at 200 mph: Formula One, Formula E, and the New Era of Sports Marketing
The University of Oregon Alumni Association is hosting a webinar on motorsport and sports marketing to be held on October 23rd. Full details can be found here.
Paddock Economics
DriveLine has launched a new series called Paddock Economics on LinkedIn which is well worth the time to read. You can read the first edition here.
Making Money on TikTok in 2026 with JoAnna Iacobelli Reid
JoAnna Iacobelli Reid (aka that1320chick), drag racer and content creator, joins Erica Sietsma for Part 2 to break down how TikTok became her biggest earner yet, outpacing four years of YouTube income in a single month, thanks to TikTok’s automotive-focused Specialized Rewards Program and its view-based multiplier system. She shares how the platform rewards consistency of format over sheer posting volume, what production details to focus on, and how TikTok’s move toward 1-2 minute “long form” content is reshaping what works, all while she balances filming, editing, racing, and life at the track.
How to Approach Red Line Oil for Sponsorship
Mark Beatty, Brand Director of Red Line Oil, explains who he does business with during the 2024 Drift Sponsorship Summit on March 20, 2024.
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects and the host of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast. As a lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
