Vendor sponsorship, contingency, etc, what do YOU want in this class?

[Brian Ellinger]

We've dicided BOTH Front Range Offroad, and Diamond Axle are sposoring the Ftoy class. But we are trying to figure out what you all want, and what we want to do.

Our perspective:
We (both companies) want to help all competitors in this class. We dont want to just hand $$ to the winner, as that only helps one. And only a max of 5 or 6 in year running. There's way more rigs being run that that.

So our thought was to give a blanket discount to folks actually competing in Ftoy. However, from talking with Hobie, there are some concerns, questions as to why folks would want to run stickers. Some folks are already running parts from years back, some folks are "done" with their rigs, others are simply out of space for stickers on the rigs.

So input from the competitors in this class are who we would like to here from. What would you like us to do?

[Heywood]

Cash is cool and may draw more people, but like you said that doesnt help everyone, and may not help those who need it the most.
A blanket discount is good and apreciated but it doesnt get people real excited. I dont know anything about concerns about running stickers.
I didnt have time to make side panels so I was putting them whereever I could fit them. I only run stickers from those who support the class or me personally. It wouldnt be fair to them to put others on there. By the way your stickers are:smokin: Nice design.

What Id like to see, and I dont know if its in the realm of what you can do, is
comp site F Toy support. A big trailer with a bunch of tools, some spares, gatoraid, and a couple of guys ready to help with a broken birf or r&p.
It would be a hands on way of helping the class and probably more rewarding than sending $$ or discounts.
Not to mention theres alot of buggies and stock mods there that would look alot better if they ahd a diamond axle under them.:D

[Brian Ellinger]

If we do start competing, I will bring a bunch of spare parts, tcase, rear shafts, etc.

[Pook]

I haven't competed yet but a discount would be cool, I know I bought a bunch of parts from you, 2 sets of hubs, twin stick, etc. A person could spend a lot of many building an ftoy especially if they didn't a donor built up trail rig.

This would also help people building ftoys who are farther away from california and the current comp scene who are trying to build up awarness of the class and get things going in there area.

I'd love to have set of diamond housing but they are to much $ in this phase of the build up, they'll be a once the current housing are beyond use, upgrade.

[desertoy]

First of all, thanks for yours and your brothers continuing interest in the formula toy class. I think we are on the brink of something that will end up being pretty big. We need to let all of the potential sponsers know that we are a rapidly growing class. I think that there was more F-Toys at Pro Rock than any other class. That is impressive compared to 2 year ago when I competed Todds rig it was just Lisa and I.
Anyway, my first thought is cash. the reason is to coax the F-toy owners out there that are on the fence to compete. I'm thinking if we could get it to where first place gets $1000, second place gets $600 and third gets $400 it would convince people to compete. I'm not suggesting that you donate this amount. I am thinking total winnings.
Another thought is to offer a "Racer Program" to where those who are building a rig will commit to compete a full season in exchange for a sizeable discount on key items that you offer.
REMEMBER, THERE ARE 43 FORMULA TOYS OUT THERE!
Got to get back to work, more later.

[roundeye]

Roundeyes would like to help you guys out as well. Let's start banging something out that makes sense for both parties.
A free communication system is something we can't do since we only sell to competitors. Other ideas? I'm open to suggestions to help you guys grow.
At this point, I have the ability to get the Xtreme4x4, Wyotech F-Toy to some events for fun and show but probably not for competition.
Heck, not even sure I can make it to more than 2 or 3 events this year since being a daddy is taking a bunch of my time. Oh yeah, it's fun too!

[desertoy]

Roundeyes would like to help you guys out as well. Let's start banging something out that makes sense for both parties.
A free communication system is something we can't do since we only sell to competitors. Other ideas? I'm open to suggestions to help you guys grow.
At this point, I have the ability to get the Xtreme4x4, Wyotech F-Toy to some events for fun and show but probably not for competition.
Heck, not even sure I can make it to more than 2 or 3 events this year since being a daddy is taking a bunch of my time. Oh yeah, it's fun too!

That's great news Bruce! We really appreciate your interest. I think all of the current competitors have communication systems but a digital upgrade would be REALLY nice (honestly, anything is appreciated).
The biggest thing I hear from other competitors is the cost of maintenance and the travel cost to make it to all of the events (just like everyone else). Heck, I'm looking for a cheap sticker guy right now.
As for the Wyotech F-Toy. That would be great if you could bring it out to do recovery or just for exibition. You'll need to post a guard on it though, cause sometimes we break things and need parts :D:D.

[Tim Florian]

As for the Wyotech F-Toy. That would be great if you could bring it out to do recovery or just for exibition. You'll need to post a guard on it though, cause sometimes we break things and need parts :D:D.


:laughing: I can see it coming apart allready :laughing:

[ACE-CAGE-#29]

What Id like to see, and I dont know if its in the realm of what you can do, is
comp site F Toy support. A big trailer with a bunch of tools, some spares, gatoraid, and a couple of guys ready to help with a broken birf or r&p.
It would be a hands on way of helping the class and probably more rewarding than sending $$ or discounts.
Not to mention theres alot of buggies and stock mods there that would look alot better if they ahd a diamond axle under them.:D

Sean,

I was very excited to see all of the F-Toys. I hope that the cash that TG is putting up motivates more people to get involved.

Your thoughts regarding an F-Toy Repair trailer might come true. I was so disappointed with having broke my rig on the second run that I am considering exactly what you have proposed. Having a central repair point at a comp. would be very helpful to all F-toy owners. I will keep you posted on this idea.

Now back to the topic. TG will continue to pay cash because TG thinks that this is the biggest motivator.

[Brian Ellinger]

Another thought is to offer a "Racer Program" to where those who are building a rig will commit to compete a full season in exchange for a sizeable discount on key items that you offer.
REMEMBER, THERE ARE 43 FORMULA TOYS OUT THERE!
Got to get back to work, more later.

More?

Promises are only as good as the folks they come from. This is why we must have verified competitors. I deal with all the sponsorship this. As soon as I hear "Im gonna build, and its going to win everything..." I stop listening at "Im gonna". I guess thats harsh, but less than 25% of the folks that have said those words, have never competed. We're considering, and trying to figure out how to "back date" for folks that are building to compete. Then do something once they send in pics of rig in comp with stickers. Still working on that.

Sean mentioned doing a random-person-picked raffle. Or a worst break raffle for all compitors for each event. This would help spread the wealth, and not just for the top 3.

[desertoy]

More?

Promises are only as good as the folks they come from. This is why we must have verified competitors.
.
That's a good point Brian and unfortunatly it's true for the most part.
A drawing for cash "Gas Money" between 4th place and lower finishers would be cool. Also having sponsers put up money for 3rd 4th etc. place would be cools also.
My main concern is, if we get to the point that first place is going to win $1000 or more and 2nd, 3rd place winnings are significantly less than that, it will create a REALLY competitive situation. Typically, this takes the fun out of it and turns it into a back stabbing contest.
In an effort to keep this from happening I think we need to keep the payout for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd close to the same. This takes the greed out of it, in my opinion.

[Nissan Recovery Team]

My 2 Cents.

I'm brand spankin' new to competing this year and must say, have had my ass handed to me as far as learning "what's doable" and what's dreaming.

I'm building to compete and have ran into some hiccups this year and glad it's all contingency for me right now as the first year IMO is a hard year (hope it gets easier...truck will be done at least for the following)

I'd like to see a system set up in reverse...Say I fund my season out of my pocket (like I'm doing now + my build) and run a FULL Season of FTOY...at the end of THAT season, is when I'd like to see the reward from vendors or any payout.

Say, FROR had a program for their diamond axles (which, I'm still saving for because I'm going to buy them in a set instead of just one) where competitors that place in the top 4 of a complete season get a discount that's significant (20 percent) on the purchase for the following year.

Or, if cash is the answer, then sponsors pay out at the END of the season. Self Funding for racers IMO, is the way to go till you can prove yourself.

it would be cool, if the kitty grew all year and sponsors kept contributing to it then at the end of the Season. One big payout around Christmas time.

That's my niave perspective:flipoff2:

[Brian Ellinger]

My 2 Cents.

I'm brand spankin' new to competing this year and must say, have had my ass handed to me as far as learning "what's doable" and what's dreaming.

I'm building to compete and have ran into some hiccups this year and glad it's all contingency for me right now as the first year IMO is a hard year (hope it gets easier...truck will be done at least for the following)

I'd like to see a system set up in reverse...Say I fund my season out of my pocket (like I'm doing now + my build) and run a FULL Season of FTOY...at the end of THAT season, is when I'd like to see the reward from vendors or any payout.

Say, FROR had a program for their diamond axles (which, I'm still saving for because I'm going to buy them in a set instead of just one) where competitors that place in the top 4 of a complete season get a discount that's significant (20 percent) on the purchase for the following year.

Or, if cash is the answer, then sponsors pay out at the END of the season. Self Funding for racers IMO, is the way to go till you can prove yourself.

it would be cool, if the kitty grew all year and sponsors kept contributing to it then at the end of the Season. One big payout around Christmas time.

That's my niave perspective:flipoff2:

Thats EXACTLY the kind of thing we're thinking about. Example:
Purchase part X, and retail
Run comp for year, or however events you can, and run out stickers.
Send us pics of rig in comp, with stickers shown
We cut a check, retroactively applying a discount

We cant just give a blanket break to anyone with a chassis for many reasons, one of them being undercutting our dealers.

[Pook]

That's a good point Brian and unfortunatly it's true for the most part.
A drawing for cash "Gas Money" between 4th place and lower finishers would be cool. Also having sponsers put up money for 3rd 4th etc. place would be cools also.
My main concern is, if we get to the point that first place is going to win $1000 or more and 2nd, 3rd place winnings are significantly less than that, it will create a REALLY competitive situation. Typically, this takes the fun out of it and turns it into a back stabbing contest.
In an effort to keep this from happening I think we need to keep the payout for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd close to the same. This takes the greed out of it, in my opinion.

gas money would be cool.

These are some real good points. Its all about fun.

[Nissan Recovery Team]

Thats EXACTLY the kind of thing we're thinking about. Example:
Purchase part X, and retail
Run comp for year, or however events you can, and run out stickers.
Send us pics of rig in comp, with stickers shown
We cut a check, retroactively applying a discount

We cant just give a blanket break to anyone with a chassis for many reasons, one of them being undercutting our dealers.


You guys have the most to lose and this shows the vendors a racer's dedication too. Also, if a life crisis happens for the racer then they aren't going to feel like they've screwed over their sponsors.

It would be cool to have a killer year competing then get a big payout at the end of the season to put back in the coffers for the winter plans and next years comps. :smokin:

Really cool of you Brian to show such an interest in this class...makes me feel like I've made a wise choice on where to spend my coin competing.

[a2b]

i think the class needs cash. people think about gas money and hotels and time off from work when most of us dont get paid if we dont work. because i dont have vacation days, it cost me a ton to go to an event. so cash is way cool. and i never will forget, geiger and marlin personally handing me cash money at the event after i won. so you know where my loyalties will be from now on.

we want the 1,2,3 positions to get paid more as this will be the biggest catalyst for the class to grow. and john is right about having the payouts amounts close.

BUT, i also like the idea of having money going to the person who broke the most, thats funny:laughing: or just a raffle to the 4th place and on finishers.

[Heywood]

[QUOTE=a2b] i never will forget, geiger and marlin personally handing me cash money at the event

[QUOTE]

Ill second that.
Also I received the gift cert from PRP mailed to my house within a week of the comp:D