| Author | Message | ||
| Ed Christophersen (Dr_c)
New member Username: Dr_c Post Number: 16 Registered: 12-2002 |
Rob: I'd love to see a car that I sponsored (sic) running at Heartland! Let me know the dates, when you know them, and I'll try to be there. We've been to a couple of the Heartland Ferrari Owner's Club events. They do a nice job with them. Ed | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4120 Registered: 12-2000 |
Ed, I will probably hit Heartland Park once late this year or next year. There's a good group of Ferrari users in the K.C. area (Chris, "The Judge", and etc.). Drove HP in the SRX7, but would like to get out there with the Challenge car. Half way close to the family of my wife and I in Salina too. | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 856 Registered: 7-2002 |
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2408010137&category=6212 355 Challenge on Ebay in Sarasota, FL if the other one doesn't pan out. | ||
| Ed Christophersen (Dr_c)
New member Username: Dr_c Post Number: 15 Registered: 12-2002 |
Rob: I just signed up as a minor sponsor ($250). IF you were in Kansas in 2003, where? when? What a kick in the head! Ed | ||
| Howie (Brokerofexotics)
Member Username: Brokerofexotics Post Number: 447 Registered: 11-2001 |
Rob, Perhaps you can raise some sponsorship dollars via Ebay. Here's an example"http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2718982768&category=2876 | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4110 Registered: 12-2000 |
Yes, the more the better and the earlier I get the commitment the better. I don't know my max yet for each level, but once I decide it then it will be full until the next go around (year 2005). If you know any individuals or businesses that are interested, please spread the word. I prefer those already from the FerrariChat.com community, but maybe we'll find some new users this way too. I have a car located and waiting for the compression and leak down results. The max number for the $250 and $1,000 level will be announced after I can measure the panels on the car. Please let me know if any questions. Top 10 reasons you should be a $250 sponsor... 1. Tell your friends and coworkers you sponsor a real Ferrari race team. 2. Prove to your friends by showing them the framed 8.5 by 11" frame photo on your wall with a small picture inset of your actual logo. 3. 1 FerrariChat.com Race Team polo shirt and 1 FerrariChat.com Race Team t-shirt. 4. Ride alongs at Ferrari track events. 5. Sponsorship runs through the end of 2004. 18+ months! 6. Tax deductible if a business. 7. Supporting the promotion of FerrariChat.com. 8. Enzo would be happy to see his Ferrari raced as he loved most. 9. It's really cool. 10. Only $250 for all the above! | ||
| Geronimo S. Realzola (Geronimo)
New member Username: Geronimo Post Number: 6 Registered: 1-2003 |
rob whats the status on the car? do you have any leads? maybe we can all help and ask for sponsorship $$ | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4105 Registered: 12-2000 |
hey Ben, I put your name down when you originally filled out the form, sorry I put Bob instead of Ben. You can always upgrade!  Here's the latest for what's offered at each level. There is some flexibility to customize to you or your business needs. $250 Commitment Level - Name or business name in apx. 1-inch high letters on one side of the car as a supporter of the FerrariChat.com Race Team. - Framed 8.5 by 11 professional digital photograph of the car in action, with a small pop up picture in the corner with your actual sponsorship decal. - One FerrariChat.com Race Team high quality polo shirt and one high quality t-shirt. - VIP treatment at events for ride alongs. $1,000 Commitment Level All of $250 benefits plus... - Increased exposure on the car. - Invitation to visit DFW for half day of ride alongs, slight possibility to drive a couple laps yourself, and dinner on Rob! - More flexibility to meet your needs for digital photography. examples: (larger, you in picture, multiple copies, special needs for your company print ads and etc.). - 10 FerrariChat.com Race Team high quality polo shirts and high quality t-shirts. Your choice how to allocate, but not to exceed 5 polo's. Major Sponsor Spots Right rear above tire well ($3,000) - Available Left rear above tire well ($3,000) - Available Right front above tire well ($3,000) - Available Left front above tire well ($3,000) - Available Lower right door within air scoop ($6,000) - Available Lower left door within air scoop ($6,000) - Available Front lower portion of hood ($10,000) - Available Payments will not be asked for until after the acquisition of the car. | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Junior Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 231 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Rob, I'm in for sure! Just have to decide what level at this point. I'm jazzed, think it's a GREAT idea, and hope you will be able to succeed at this venture! I'd love to see this grow into a real team. Who knows, eventually we may campaign a prepared Enzo in LeMans or ALMS... (hey, crazier things have happened!) The pride alone in seeing 'my' race car dukeing it out on a track, any track, even once, will be worth $250! I think the t-shirts would be a verry classy touch, count me way in! Best! Ben. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4101 Registered: 12-2000 |
We won't finalize it until we're ready to order the shirts. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 660 Registered: 10-2002 |
Rob, you got mail. | ||
| Terry (Dogue)
Member Username: Dogue Post Number: 285 Registered: 9-2001 |
Rob, What format do you want it in? It is created in adobe illustrator (IBM). Happy to help, and thanks for the compliment. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4100 Registered: 12-2000 |
That's awesome Terry! That would look really good as the logo. | ||
| Terry (Dogue)
Member Username: Dogue Post Number: 283 Registered: 9-2001 |
Rob, This an idea I had for the embroidery on a Polo. I know the lines of the car will need to be thickened up, but just a thought I had.  | ||
| "The Don" (Mlemus)
Advanced Member Username: Mlemus Post Number: 3207 Registered: 8-2002 |
Rob I should have the ducks in a row in the next couple of days for the shirts and stuff. Sorry for the delay Matt | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4094 Registered: 12-2000 |
Andreas, I'm not running a Ferrari 355 Challenge experience. I'm running a racing and track team that provides sponsors the ability to ride along and the slight chance to drive a few pace laps if they are qualified and the conditions at the track that day allow for it. I still have a few shirts laying around, but I'm not sure what sizes are available. Matt is looking into selling different FerrariChat.com stuff, so stay tuned on that. The race team shirts would be available by about July/August of this year. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 838 Registered: 5-2001 |
I want the shirt. I was actually prowling around the chat site last night looking for FChat T-shirts. I thought I remember you selling some a while back. Do you have any left in XL? I'll send a check out today if you do. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 658 Registered: 10-2002 |
Rob, aside from supporting a cool idea my main interest (as you know) is driving the Challenge car for a few laps, so it doesn't really matter much to me whether I get a polo shirt or not. However having said that, it would be a nice touch to give your sponsors a special polo shirt with a logo saying something like "FerrariChat, 355 Challenge Experience" or so. When I did my F1 driving in France I got a unique shirt with a small logo saying something like "F1 School" and sure enough some people have picked up on it and asked me about that experience. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4089 Registered: 12-2000 |
I think those are good for marketing purposes, but it's too much hassle for not much profit in my experience. We use to have an online store, but didn't sell much and it cost a bunch to keep going, then I would I have to package and haul to the post office one shirt at a time. Would more people sign up if on top of everything else I included... $250 level: One high quality FerrariChat.com Race Team t-shirt with the car in graphics on the back and logo on front along with a high quality polo shirt with just the FerrariChat.com logo and "Race Team" on the front or sleeve? $1,000 level: Your choice of up to 10 of either, but not to exceed 5 polo shirts. (ex: 5 and 5, or 7 t-shirts and 3 polos) Good idea Brad! Who is interested now? | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 884 Registered: 1-2002 |
One of our Austin FCA members actually has a company that makes & sells every possible type of logoed item you can imagine. He is doing a bunch of things for us for our regional "Italian Renaissance" gathering in May. His prices are absolutely the best I have seen (he does FCA chapter stuff at cost), and the merchandise is of the highest quality. I have no affiliation with his business at all. It is called Adventures in Advertising. His name is Jim Garrett, and his email is "[email protected]". | ||
| Brad-Mo (007)
New member Username: 007 Post Number: 22 Registered: 2-2003 |
Rob, I'm really excited about the new race team. I haven't seen this brought up yet, but, I have an idea for another way to get invlovment and maybe raise some $. How about some team merchandise, hats, polos, jackets flags, etc... With a little savy shopping and a modest mark up it might work out well. I have some experience with buying logo gear for my business and would be willing to help out. How many here would be interested in purchacing items like this? | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4083 Registered: 12-2000 |
It's up in storage with all the client cars, so I don't think they usually take people up there. Tony had to tell James to take me up there. Jim and I saw the 360 through the window, but I haven't seen it up close yet. Just a tad out of my price range. ;) | ||
| Chris F. (Dallasguy)
Junior Member Username: Dallasguy Post Number: 70 Registered: 10-2002 |
Rob, I went by FoD yesterday afternoon. No luck getting to see the car. Told them who I was, but got turned down since it was in storage. Sounds like Tony took you up there to see it though. FYI-there is a 360 Challenge in there now. He said it was a new addition since you were there last. Probably a bit on the pricey side, but they wouldn't tell me how much Steve Earl's 355 was going for. The 360 was stickered at $125k. Probably not much room for a passenger seat either due to the fire system tanks, etc. on the 360. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4077 Registered: 12-2000 |
To give you an idea of what is part of the $250 commitment... 1) Name on car through the end of 2004. 2) 8.5 by 11" framed picture of the car with FerrariChat.com Race Team Logo, date appreciating you as a sponsor through end of 2004, and a small pop up image in the corner with a picture of your actual on car name. Here's an example from the company that will be doing the professional digital photograph. There won't be all those other logos on there and I'll try to get the best action shot.  3) VIP treatment for ride alongs at events. It doesn't matter if you want to do this individually and put your name or you may want to put your business name and write it off. We're flexible. More information and sign up form can be found here... http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/raceteam/index.htm Payments won't be requested until after the acquisition of the car. Thanks to the users who have signed up the past few days, I will update the sponsor list by this weekend. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4072 Registered: 12-2000 |
Geronimo, thanks for you interest, please submit the form on the Race Team page. I won't drive it at TMS as that course eats cars. I will have it at MSR and TWS though. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 796 Registered: 5-2001 |
You just better drive me around the block. :-) | ||
| Geronimo S. Realzola (Geronimo)
New member Username: Geronimo Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2003 |
hey rob count me in for $250. did you say we can take it around the road course at tms? here is a link to a 1994 challange car for sale. http://www.exoticcarworld.com/sales.htm | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4071 Registered: 12-2000 |
I could use a few of those major sponsors too. I think once everyone sees the car and as FerrariChat.com continues to grow there will be more interest. However, early bird gets the worm. Whatever the worm may be, I'll have to think about that. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 790 Registered: 5-2001 |
Looks like you have about 5K or so in commitments. Pretty good so far. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 2851 Registered: 8-2002 |
Thanks, Dave- humor is bipartisan...  | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 868 Registered: 1-2002 |
DES, "des"-pite our divergent political views, I think you are one of the funniest, best-humored folks here!!! | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 2850 Registered: 8-2002 |
P.S Restraining order...? Pshhh... i wallpapered my living room with those things, they mean nothing... i laugh in the face of court orders...! MUAHAHAHAHA...! (ok, back to work...) | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 2849 Registered: 8-2002 |
i'll take that as a yes... After work, i'll go shopping for a race helmet and other related items... Or should i wait 'til i get down there...? Or do you wanna just fax me a list of the things i need to pick up...? The car has a cup holder, right...? No...? Can we squeeze one in...? (Notice it's "we", now... ) Let me consult my travel agent as to when the best time would be for me to fly down there... (i need a plane with cup holders...) | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4068 Registered: 12-2000 |
Will I be the first male user to get a restraining order on you? Or does Matt have one already? LOL - you're hilarious. Come to Dallas any time you want, I can't guarantee I'll be here, but if I am we'll go out with the local crowd. | ||
| DES (Sickspeed)
Advanced Member Username: Sickspeed Post Number: 2848 Registered: 8-2002 |
Rob... How 'bout this: i fly down to Texas, you teach me how to drive this bad boy on the track; once i've learned, i'll do all the driving and you handle all the sponsor crap... With me driving, you'll have more time to seek out sponsors, so it's a win/win situation...! Plus, i wouldn't want much in return- just some food, once in a while and a place to sleep... Sleep on it, let me know what you think tomorrow... i'll be at home, packing... | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4066 Registered: 12-2000 |
Yes, Dr. Cosgrove, you're on the current sponsors list. It will be a few months before you need to send a check. First steps are to get a few more sponsors, acquire the car, and then I'll send an email out with all the information sponsors need. Thanks. | ||
| Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member Username: Vwalfa4re Post Number: 788 Registered: 5-2001 |
Rob, I'm still in. Let me know where I need to send a check. I'm going the $250 level | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4063 Registered: 12-2000 |
See the little "Race Team" link on the above menu. You can get more information there and also sign up. The direct link is on the first message of this thread too. The car will be insured. If the car is out of commission, then that time won't count against your 18 month sponsorship. Who knows, the next car may be a 360 Challenge and race in Speed World Challenge with professional drivers. One step at a time. The money generated from sponsors won't even cover half the costs of the car to acquire and operate, but it sure helps and I think there is a great value in return for that support. With this experience and continued growth of FerrariChat.com we could be sponsoring a professional team and driver within a few years. I might realign my goals, but I have never not achieved them. Who's going along for the ride? | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 651 Registered: 10-2002 |
oops, when they told HIM, not me not a F1 owner...yet ;-) | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 650 Registered: 10-2002 |
Sounds very reasonable again. Where do I sign? At the F1 deal they had pilons marking the braking points and one standing rule was no throttle before the wheels pointed straight again. What's the long term goal of this plan, or looking at it the other way: What if (Heaven forbid) you or somebody else crashes the car at the first outing? Sponsors are SOOL? Is insurance an option? Did you calculate maintenance/repair costs? A 355 is no F1, so it won't be so dramatic, but I remember one incident where a rookie damaged a carbon fibre front wing and the car ownwer almost had a heart attack when they told me about the 36k in repair costs. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4061 Registered: 12-2000 |
It's a 355 Challenge with a very significant and special race history, probably more than any other 355 Challenge in the world. I don't know if I can limit RPM's, 3k in 5th gear is still too fast for Rattlesnake at MSR.  Probably just a succession of ride alongs with me driving, then you can turn some laps in a street car, then if things are going well then you can turn a few laps. No reason to baby it, but proper shifting, not braking late, and not carrying too much speed through the corners will be the goal. Since it will only be a few laps long and you probably can't get the feel of the car that fast, I'll probably direct you to brake earlier than you think you should, go slower through the corners than you think you should, but then have fun and get on it when the car is pointed straight. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 649 Registered: 10-2002 |
Dinner on Rob? Now we're talking!!! Seriously, your comments about the self driving and its conditions/prerequisites sound valid and good. You don't want to 'waste' the car on a rookie slamming it into the wall, potentially hurting himself, but OTOH just have us watch you drive ain't that much fun either. So your suggestion makes a good middle ground and is actually comparable to other options out there: Driving101.com for a replica IRL experience in the 400-1000 range and F1 experiences starting at 2k to 10k. How do you control the 6/10ths? Via rpm and sitting in with the candidate? At Skip Barber they did it via RPM (on the honor basis) and at a F1 drive they had the standing rule of 1 spin and you go home. Though but necessary. What was the car again? Do I remember a 355 Challenge? | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4060 Registered: 12-2000 |
Andreas, that is kinda part of the deal, not sure if I can really put it on paper yet. Here's what the Race Team page says under the $1,000 level... Invitation to visit DFW for half day of ride alongs, drive a couple laps yourself, and dinner on Rob! The sticking points may be you have to be a qualified driver for MSR to let you on the track. That sometimes varies, if you have a club racing license or have completed a 3 day racing school, then there shouldn't be any problems. Anyone else has to go through an orientation to drive. It's really up to the track owners. I can probably do the following... 1) No track experience - Let you drive it in the parking lot and maybe a few slow parade laps on the track after driving another car out there. 2) Limited track experience or just racing school - A few laps at 6/10ths. 3) Experienced racer and tracker - A few laps at 8/10ths. I imagine even after several months of testing that I'll only be at 9/10ths. No reason to get that extra tenth. One extra second a lap for a track car isn't worth the potential for taking the car off track or taking mechanical risk. I want it to be a great looking, great sounding, fun and reliable 9/10ths fast track car. I'm sure my 9/10ths will be faster than most Ferraris out there anyway. Any other questions? I think it's a great deal at the $250 and $1,000 level for what you get. I just hate being too salesman like. Write the expense off, the framed picture for your wall will be worth it and the rides and possible drives are a bonus. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 648 Registered: 10-2002 |
Since you asked for feedback: I would consider a pricey sponsorship (even like the $ 1,000) if I'd get a chance to drive it myself. Even for only a couple of laps. Personally I never care(d) for rides, all I care about is feeling the car myself while steering it. Just my $ 0.02. | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Advanced Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 3003 Registered: 9-2001 |
good to hear it is progressing | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4058 Registered: 12-2000 |
Please ask away if any questions, or give away any feedback. Thanks. | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 4054 Registered: 12-2000 |
I know I haven't bothered everyone with this much lately, but I want to make one more little campaign for sponsors to make sure FerrariChat.com wants to go through with this. If this campaign goes well the car should be acquired within 2-4 weeks. A car has been selected, just the details and pre purchase tests need to be performed. I really wish I could create little stock certificates and make each "sponsor" an owner. That's the way I really want to look at this. I want it to be FerrariChat.com's race car and every user should feel involved. Remember that these sponsorships will continue through the end of 2004, that's at least 18 months. There's a range of sponsorships available... - For individual users and small businesses that want their name on the car, professional photograph of car and your name, and ride alongs at track events for only $250. - Higher level of sponsorship include the $1,000 level with more on car exposure, ability to use car in print/video ads, VIP treatment for ride alongs, and half day at Motor Sports Ranch CC in Texas for ride alongs at $1,000. - The major sponsors get the most exposure on the car plus multiple track sessions and/or on location displays (DFW area or in coordination with other events on schedule). Number of spots will be limited. Major sponsor spots have already been set, other available spots will be announced after acquiring the car. Names on sponsor list are listed in order of signing up, first come first serve. For more information and to sign up please visit the race team page at http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/raceteam/index.htm Thanks, rob |