Gaffed off by Toyota Racing Development for no reason we can think of. (Page 1 of 3)

"Triumphant"?  I do not think that word means what you think it means...

Danika never replied to our letter offering her a seat in the Tinyvette for our first race. Turns out that might have been a good thing.

So far Compuware has ignored us. I even "friended" them on Facebook, and occasionally would post Tinyvette tidbits on their wall. Still, nothing.

You think you have it bad.  Oldsmobile went so far as to stop existing several years before we even competed.  The nerve of some companies.

I deal with TRD engineers every year at the Chili Bowl.  The last few years they have gutted the staff at TRD.  It's pretty much 99% NASCAR.  I was somewhat involved with Spank on the ToyoHog and talked to them about it.  They were quite amused by but weren't super encouraging since the Prius isnt on their radar as a race car.  They said they'd do what they could as far as getting engineering help for the battery cutoff on the stock Prius Spank (then) wanted to run but it would have to come from Toyota proper.  The basic line at TRD is that if the model is not being raced with factory support, then they are prohibited from helping.  Yes, they race the Solara in NASCAR and NHRA but both are essentially funny cars that aren't related to the passenger car in any way.

In short, you won't hear back from them.  There's just nobody there to deal with this kind of stuff.

I know how you feel.

Please take my criticism with a grain of salt.

But, frankly, you're letter is too long. I didn't read past the first line. The Wine-O racing bit up front automatically indicates you are not to be taken seriously. [Delete.]

I once ran a cycling team. The only "sponsorship" we got was because people liked us/felt sorry for us. The only way you're going to get the attention of ANY sponsor is if you A) know someone there or have some other connection or 2) you are giving them something they need and can't get from someone/somewhere else for less involvement/effort.

Start with what you want to do for them. Make it something concrete.

Ok, I just went back to read and it isn't until paragraph 3 that you ask for something and your request is non-specific.  It isn't until paragraph 4 that you offer something to them.

Here's an analogy (and yes, I already realize my response is too long and few people are likely reading this far down):

I live in San Diego and what I'm astounded by (being an East-coaster originally) is the number of people just simply asking for a handout. Standing at a corner with a carboard sign begging for money and in return they give you.... nothing. What ever happened to someone standing on the corner with a squeegee and offering to clean your windows? I was just in New Jersey and there was a guy with ice cold bottled water at the street corner near the airport and wanted $1 for a bottle. I GLADLY payed $1 for a bottle of water because it was hot and I know the same lukewarm bottle at the airport will be $3.85 plus tax. Sure, I know it cost him $.15 and he was making $.85 or more off of me, but he showed desire to earn money and initiative and even a service to satisfy a need I have. Use that same philosophy , if you're serious about soliciting sponsors, and START with what you are going to do to fill a specific need the solicited company has.

(and I realize it's probably illegal and likely to get one arrested if caught trying to "sell" water or window-washing service at a street corner but it's perfectly legal to panhandle and passively receive money at the same orner).

USAF and ANG and USAFR flat out said NO....we only sponsor Nascar and cars that do flips at X games and such.  Lower level out where the average person goes no way.  Funny thing is our team is made up of all USAF and it's components.   Which is a nice slap in the face. 

I'd like us to change our name to Chair Force but most would not understand.

Who said anything about being realistic?

I loved the letter, too. It would be sure to get some laughs at TRD and maybe some sympathy. I'd have thought a response letter in the same spirit would have been forthcoming.

When we took our car to the ALMS race at Laguna Seca the guys taking tickets pointed and laughed at our car (got the joke). When I drove down to the Corvette coral they laughed a different laugh and pointed towards the exit (didn't appreciate the joke). When we found the Corvette Racing garage and met Dan Binks, he told us he knew about our car and autographed our Tinyvette post card. Tommy Milner looked at the postcard and laughed, and autographed it. (I didn't offer him a seat in the Tinyvette.) So while our letters get ignored, showing up on their doorsteps at least gets a reaction.

Another example of a direct approach that didn't bear fruit but did get noticed, CrazyMike called P&G and told them about his car Scrubby. Soon afterwards P&G launched a new ad campaign where new Scrubbing Bubbles Beetles were touring the country.

Any Marine would.  The hierarchy of who gets on a Marine helicopter in a war zone:

1) Combat Marines (snipers get preference)
2) Navy Corpsman
3) Other Marines and Chaplains
4) Army
5) Contractors
6) Reporters with a nice behind
7) Local Nationals
8) Air Force

The Marines' interpretation of an old slogan when referring to the Air Force: "Never have so many, do so little, for so few, in such desperate need, until so very late, do to any good."

If the USAF did not have the A10, The Marines would deny their very existence.

This coming from a Contractor (former Air Force) that bribed his way on to may a Sea Stallion with AA batteries and homemade rice crispy treats.

Oh, wait...is it a different USAF you were talking about?

I had a very nice chat with someone who was not admitting what level of PR level she was for SC Johnson regarding Scrubbing Bubbles and some sort of mutual benefit. When I explained that we were doing the marque no harm, and if they were curious they could Google (tm) Crazy mike and Scrubbing Bubbles or Scrubby to see for themselves, I was greeted with "we know EXACTLY what you are doing, and could you send us a Written Proposal?".
I have yet to send a written proposal, and then they stole my idea of having a fleet of VW-based Scrubbing Bubbles.

The nerve.

Tell the Marine's to fly their own helicopter across the Atlantic.  I'll gladly not load another CH=53E again.  Oh and they can leave those POS leaky sieves in Djibouti Dijibouti

Marines have a different job.  They enjoy their's and I enjoy mine.  We are not chair force members.