Perfectly acceptable or a little rude?

[White trash]

Thinking a little more on this I wonder who would do such a thing...

This is where internet chatrooms become dangerous places.

As someone who's slogged his guts out to race Garry, I realise that you probably view this the same way I do.

Suffice to say, it doesn't actually matter who the rider is. I'm just putting the question out there to see if I am right in feeling a little pissed off or I should pull my head in and just accept it.

The irony is, although this rider will almost certainly give the intended sponsor better results, the rider already supported is definitely a more public and vocal ambassador for the sponsor. Funny old world aint it.

[White trash]

Isn't there anyone else? This feels like approaching a chick who already is with someone. I voted "No".

Exactly Thanks jsg.

[Shaun]

Perfectly acceptable, if not a little rude

It happens in motor sport every day of the week world wide

Why you not in Invercargill then

[Pussy]

That is of course assuming that the sponsors are actually after results for their investment, Pussy. Some are in it for completely different reasons.

My bad, then, Jimmy. I would have thought that sponsorship was there to bring your company/organisation into the public eye.... advertising. Not privy to the politics, I'm afraid!!

[99TLS]

i would say acceptable , the more advertising they get the better it is for them imho,

[Drew]

I vote no, but if somebody came to me and asked if it was ok, then yes.

Happened to my lady in almost exactly the same way (by another chick) before I got my bike, or she got hers for that matter. When the subject comes up said culpret brushes it off that she was only kidding, which is not how our sponsor tells it.

[flame]

It's a complete piss off Trashy. But possibly I felt that way because it happened to me, from somebody I know and trusted. Someone trying to lie there way in to a deal will ultimately loose respect from others who know the misleading facts thay have spoken of themselves.

If however it was someone I was unaquainted to, I perhaps would just think well good on them for trying to get ahead, and take it that they think your sponsors are MINT, as it wouldn't be a reflection on you as a person.

But in reality, there are some awesome sponsors around that are not only in the sport for the glory of winning, but for the passion of the sport and the chance to sponsor a rider who reflects their own personality and ambitions.

Well....my 2c worth anyway ...just smile and enjoy the fact that your a star!

[cowpoos]

Thinking a little more on this I wonder who would do such a thing...

This is where internet chatrooms become dangerous places.

I was thinking that too...but I think I will have a rant shortly.

it's not a chatroom it's a forum owwww.

I thought you pissed off??

[cowpoos]

Here's a poll without predjudice.

Is it ok to approach a sponsor already heavily involved with a race team and hit them up to sponsor yourself? Including the insinuation that you'd perhaps gain better results for the sponsor than their current rider?

What'd ya reckon?

Give us some reasons either way too.

Ta

Okay...I had writen a massive big long badly punchtuated,spelt and almost certianly grammacally incorrect rant...but I looked at it afterwards and though..hmmm.

So..I ticked no..because like you Jimmy I have morals..but the fact is it happens..and possibly thats what you have to deal with.. the fact that this rider may or maynot achieve better results is completely irrelivent..and besides that..I for one would not base your current abilities on your first season..that would be just stupid..your a developing rider..and the sort of kudo's that gives your sponser is helping someone with talent come on!!
Talent which there is no doubt of..one thing I dislike..and I DISLIKE it alot!!

Is the amount of pressure everyone here on Kb place on you..they may be doing in inadvertantly..and coming across as the odd joke or sounding supportitive..

anyway..I'll see ya at jamies later on for a beer [My shout!! and some chocolate for sue... ]

[Clivoris]

Shit man. A suprisingly tough question. Is it alright to approach someone elses sponsor to try and "steal the deal"? It's a ballsy move that is likely to lose friends but if s/he wants it bad enough and s/he is willing to accept the fall-out, then it's up to them. I'd be pretty fucked off if it happened to me but I'd also be asking myself if I have done enough to ask for loyalty from my sponsor. To use the girlfriend analogy, if someone else manages to seduce my girlfriend from under me: she's either an untrustworthy bitch, I'm a slack bastard for not appreciating her enough or the relationship didn't have the legs and wasn't going to last anyway.
Being sponsorless myself I am taking the piss by even posting, but wtf. With sizeable sponorship is it normal practice to have some type of contract outlining obligations and commitments on both sides? Without a contract I suspect that consenting adults will do whatever the fuck they want if it suits them.

[roogazza]

So Trashy, who wants your ride ???? and or does the sponsor want a second rider ? G.

ps. I wouldn't do it , but its been done before.

[Mental Trousers]

Perfectly acceptable, if not a little rude

It happens in motor sport every day of the week world wide

Spot on.

Sponsorship is a prize that racers compete for, both on the track and off. If you've landed a big sponsor that isn't the end of the competition, you've just scored a big head start. However, it's very hard to replace the incumbent unless the sponsor is looking to do so or feels they're not getting value for money.

[Hitcher]

Sponsorship is (or should be) a commercial arrangement where two parties provide each other with mutual benefit. It's not like a marriage. If you don't ask, you won't get.

[White trash]

So Trashy, who wants your ride ???? and or does the sponsor want a second rider ? G.

ps. I wouldn't do it , but its been done before.

HA ha, my sponsors aren't after a second rider, they're perfectly happy with where we are and where we're headed at the moment.

As people have pointed out, if ya don't ask, ya don't get. The rider in question is a little cheeky in my oppinion and I'm kinda flattered the guys that support me are now seen as players in the sport and therefore worthy of attention.

It's all good. Bring on Paeroa and he'll see where we're at

[White trash]

My bad, then, Jimmy. I would have thought that sponsorship was there to bring your company/organisation into the public eye.... advertising. Not privy to the politics, I'm afraid!!

All good mate, I'm asking for peoples oppinions and yours makes sense perfectly.

To put it into perspective I'll give you a bit of insight into our very unique little arrangement.

The owners of Easystart Rental Management and Wealth Buy Property are motorsport nutters. One has a brand new HSV GTS that he loves thrashing round the track the other has all sorts of high end performance cars and bikes. Neither of them knew a single thing about what's involved in preparing or running a Superbike, but they knew it interested them and they wanted to be a part of it at the ground level. Both Martin and Steve are having a ball being extremely hands on and sorting out the tuning and development of the team. They love being at the races hangin out with me and Sue, cleaning the bike, timing laps, changing tyre warmers, grabbing time sheets and coffees and just being a part of a developing team.

Now if they were to, for example, throw the money they've thus far invested (and it's a big figure) in let's say Craig Shirriffs ('cause he's the only top rider I know that wont take offence at his name being used), do you think they'd get the same freedom in the running of the team? I doubt it.

So that's where we differ from the top guys, they've made it, we're still learning how to.