Sponsorship seminars that you will find useful is just one of the topics on this week’s Business of Being a Race Driver. You will also find out why networking is important, why brands are betting on sim racing and much more!
Overview
The Business of Racing
Small Talk, Big Impact: The Importance of Networking
“Networking is not always about just like buying something from somebody… oftentimes it’s about connecting with them as a human.”
In this episode of the Racer on Demand podcast, Amanda and Megan catch up after a whirlwind month of racing—from Megan’s first drag race of the year and her sister’s massive IHRA win to Chris’s Sunday victory at Crandon. They pull back the curtain on the “Retire” viral video, explaining how strong relationships with the series production crew turned a simple pun into a high-engagement marketing asset.
The heart of this conversation is a deep dive into networking beyond the sponsor hunt. Amanda and Megan discuss why you should be building “unconditional” relationships with media people, safety crews, and track vendors. They also tackle the reality of being an introvert in networking situations, sharing tactical advice on how to use “small talk” to find common ground and build genuine professional bonds.
Alex Striler Sponsorship Seminar at PRI
Join Alex Striler at the PRI trade show on Friday, December 11, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. for a high-level demonstration of how to use AI to attract, secure, and serve sponsors.
Until then, you can also watch seven of my previous PRI educational seminars on sponsorship here: https://www.sponsorshiptactics.com/seminars
PRI Education Webinar: Futureproofing Your Sponsorship Programs
A panel of industry experts will explore the future of sponsorships for brands, teams and racers during an info-packed webinar on Wednesday, August 12, at 1:00 p.m. EDT/10:00 a.m. PDT, to futureproof sponsorship strategies for 2027 and beyond. From leveraging AI and strengthening sponsorship value to building a powerful media brand, this one-hour Zoom session will deliver actionable insights to help you stay ahead in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Hosted by Erica Sietsma of Autofluencer, the first PRI Education webinar will cover “Futureproofing Sponsorship Programs.”
Sietsma will be joined by a panel of industry professionals, including Sara Oettinger from AMSOIL, Brian McRae of Gradient Racing, Alex Striler of SponsorshipTactics.com, Brandon Scapelli of the Drift Cave and BMS Agency, and PRI Managing Director Doug Bresnahan.
These leaders will explore the future of sponsorships for brands, teams, and racers, ranging from AI, to sponsorship value presentation, to building a media brand and more to ensure your sponsorship programs and plans are solid for 2027.
To register for this info-packed webinar, visit this link.
How to Get Motorsport Sponsorship in 2026: The Complete Guide
Motorsport sponsorship is one of the most misunderstood commercial agreements in sport. Most drivers approach it backwards — spending months building a deck, then sending it to the wrong people and wondering why nobody responds. This guide changes that. It’s built around the exact process we’ve developed at MatchNX, used by drivers and racing teams across the UK to find, qualify and close sponsorship deals faster than traditional methods allow.
Why Speed Still Matters in the Social Media Age with Chris Bye
On the Motorsport Prospects podcast last week, Chris Bye from FEL Motorsports explains why you still need to be fast on the track in this age of social media. He also discusses the importance of networking and why Canadian racers should develop their motorsport careers in Canada before moving on to the United States or Europe.
Listen to the full episode here!
Laying the Tracks – Why Preparation Comes Before Sponsorship
Most athletes think sponsorship starts when they send their first email. The reality? It starts much earlier. In this recent episode of the Motorsport Sponsorship Podcast, Belinda explains why laying the right foundations is one of the most important steps in your sponsorship journey. From creating systems and organizing your content to preparing your personal brand and using AI to save time, you’ll discover why sponsor-ready athletes don’t wait for opportunities, they prepare for them. You can listen to the episode here.
Why Brands are Betting on Sim Racing
he most efficient marketing channels in modern sport. Not because it’s new, but because it delivers the F1 audience at a fraction of the cost. The infrastructure is already there. The audience is already engaged. The window is open, but not for long. OutDrive GP explains why brands are betting on sim racing.
General Motorsport Marketing Advice & Resources
Athlete Brand Ambassadors: Do’s And Don’ts for Sponsors & Brands
Brands and sports stars have benefited from lucrative collaborations for decades; they provide significant opportunities for brands to leverage off sport stars’ existing significant exposure and fan following. Coco Gauff, David Beckham, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Cristiano Ronaldo, Keely Hodgkinson and LeBron James are all known to have a number of well publicized and lucrative ambassador agreements. This exposure has only increased in recent years with the transformative effect of social media and lucrative marketing opportunities have only expanded further with the avenues provided on these mediums. For a business with a particular style of branding, being able to locate and engage with the right athletes who can act as their brand ambassador is critical to promote the brand’s values accurately and for a mutually beneficial business relationship.
LawInSport explains the key considerations for brands entering into athlete ambassadorship arrangements, with a particular emphasis on issues unique to such agreements rather than general standard commercial terms. While not intended to be comprehensive, these points offer a helpful starting reference for brands exploring ambassadorship partnerships with athletes.
You can read the full article here.
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.
