“Idea of ‘sponsorship’ is so lost in our industry right now” – Jared Tebo
Former World Champion Jared Tebo has taken to social media with an interesting post addressing the current state of sponsorship in racing. A true professional paid driver who for almost two decades was one of the leading forces in Offroad races around the world representing some of the biggest manufacturers in the industry, Tebo officially announced his competitive retirement from racing last year but still remains involved in the industry. Now focused on his JTP brand, as well as being USA Team Manager for Hotrace Tyres, the American found himself overwhelmed by the massive response to opening 2024 applications for JTP sponsorship in November. In addressing the topic, Tebo explains his own journey to becoming a Pro driver and how the idea of ‘sponsorship’ is now lost in our industry with many drivers simply expecting it. Sure to kick off many keyboard debates, he concludes that he is sticking to what he believes in for his JTP brand.
I wanted to share a post I made on JTP RC regarding sponsorship. Let’s preface this topic a little. I started racing RC in March of 1999. I got a used RC10GT shortly after my 12th birthday. Back then, the industry looked a lot different, as there were less manufacturers, less brands, and much less sponsorships. We were not wealthy, so racing was expensive. I drove a ton, 3-4 days a week, racing normally twice a week. Right from the beginning, my Dad told me that he could only afford for me to race one class, which I did. He came up with a method that allowed me to practice and race, that we could afford. I had a “race” set of tires, a “qualifying” set of tires, and a “practice” set of tires. They would cycle through. My race set would start new, and I would race twice on them. They would now become my qualifying set, which I would use for two races, and then they would become practice tires, after they had 4 qualifiers and 2 mains on them. I drove so much, that I wore kits out very quick, but parts to rebuild them are so expensive. We would buy a new kit every two months, and sell my roller for about half the price of a new kit. I would get new shocks, new diff, new tires, new body, a new car, and it was way cheaper than buying parts to rebuild my car.
With this method, my Dad was able to support my racing, and he told me if I wanted to race more classes, then I needed to be good enough to get free equipment. Thankfully I had some God given talent, ruthless work ethic, and stubbornness to perfect my craft, that is exactly what I did. RC was much more than a hobby to me though, it was something that I poured everything I had into. I was a 50% Team Associated driver and finished 4th at DNC. Not in sportsman, not in intermediate, but with all the drivers. I did end up getting those sponsorships and was blessed with a wildly incredible career.Now, in 2024, the RC racing industry looks much different. There are so many manufacturers and brands, and most racers are expecting a sponsorship. The idea of “sponsorship” is so lost in our industry right now. Companies sponsor somebody because they want that person to represent there brand as an ambassador. That means that RC is not your hobby anymore, you have a responsibility every time you go to the RC track. You are getting compensated (discounted prices, free product) for the work you are doing. RC car racers need RC tracks to race on. RC tracks need to pay their bills, and hopefully get some extra money for their efforts providing a track. If all the racers are “sponsored” by different brands and not buying parts from their tracks, the tracks will be forced to shut down. Yes, the industry does need professional drivers and companies do need representatives at the race tracks. There needs to be a better balance though.
All this rambling, what is my point. My point is, I want to say that I’m sticking to what I believe for my own brand, JTP. It was a huge shock to me, the amount of resumes that we received from new racers and sportsman racers. RC racing is a hobby for 98% of the people racing. When you become a sponsored driver, it is no longer your hobby, as now you have a responsibility. I feel that outlook has been lost and people feel they deserve a sponsorship because someone they know has one. RC racing can be expensive, I fully understand this. I’ve been on every side of this topic, so I have an interesting outlook. There are ways to enjoy your hobby, afford your hobby, and keep it as your hobby, supporting the tracks, brands, and shops that keep the hobby going.
Source: Jared Tebo [Facebook]
