All About Car Shows - How Does One Make $$$?

Like in so many fields in this general area, I know know absolutely nothing about it. ;)

However I have heard that if you can get sponsers and they may send you something to show off on your car. And I've heard that in some car shows the top prize is like $1,000 bucks as well.

Just that above got me interested. But then I know theres a lot of people and a lot of people that put a lot of money into their cars. :D So I'm not sure if I can stand against all that competition, but willing to try I think...

My question would be, where do I start? It's so unknown to me, I don't even know exactly where I should be steering towards.

But anyway what I want to do is shave off a few things on the car, repaint it, get some nice rims, change the front windshield, perhaps the sides too, insolate interior further (a grand has already been put into this), get it all waxed up and ready to go. Of course this is a lot of money for an RS, but I was thinking that if I can make some of it back via Car Shows then this may make some sense.

Then once that is complete, I would be looking into getting a turbo DSM next year, or perhaps another type of vehicle (RWD).

its all up to you man, this kinda sounds gay but, a car is an extention of your attitude and your self image if you will, im not making the car the way it is for others, i make it for myself... but ive been to hundreds of shows, some of these kids make their cars look like it just got out of a cheep japanese cartoon, but others make their cars amazing, like the M3 all carbon fiber wide body kit(www.DTMpower.net)

the amount you put into your car will kill the amount you get back, you get sponsers once you have a nice body kit, rims, "GO" mods, but most of all "ICE" entertainment systems, subs, new speakers, tvs, shit like that... you need an awsome balanced car, then you might start winning some shit, but your not gonna make money (to live off)
woops... too long

anyway, do what you think looks good, but plz dont rice the shit outta your car... pepboy vinals... plastic spinner hubcaps... you get the picture

1. rims - exaust
2. lower
3. body kit
4. engine mods... show b4 go if you do car shows i guess, but im more about the sleeper, stop light burn a vette kinda guy

if anyone is interested... youve heard of gumball ralley here is a rally we can all do and its cheep but fun, my friends are doing it www.AKArally.com

its all up to you man, this kinda sounds gay but, a car is an extention of your attitude and your self image if you will, im not making the car the way it is for others, i make it for myself... but ive been to hundreds of shows, some of these kids make their cars look like it just got out of a cheep japanese cartoon, but others make their cars amazing, like the M3 all carbon fiber wide body kit(www.DTMpower.net)

the amount you put into your car will kill the amount you get back, you get sponsers once you have a nice body kit, rims, "GO" mods, but most of all "ICE" entertainment systems, subs, new speakers, tvs, shit like that... you need an awsome balanced car, then you might start winning some shit, but your not gonna make money (to live off)
woops... too long

anyway, do what you think looks good, but plz dont rice the shit outta your car... pepboy vinals... plastic spinner hubcaps... you get the picture

1. rims - exaust
2. lower
3. body kit
4. engine mods... show b4 go if you do car shows i guess, but im more about the sleeper, stop light burn a vette kinda guy

if anyone is interested... youve heard of gumball ralley here is a rally we can all do and its cheep but fun, my friends are doing it www.AKArally.com

Yeah actually I was planning on keeping it looking stock for the most part... I'm not really a fan of body kits, I like the look of the smooth stock look. Hopefully shaving off a few things (door handles, bumper marker light, antennna) and repainting it black again will do the trick. The windows are all tinted, but the front windshield is damaged due to windshield wipers lol (previous owner).

Um if I were to say it has $15,000 invested into it so far and I put another 3 grand into it (I got hook ups for the painting) would it be realistic to get a sponser?

Here is what my car is lacking IMO:

turbo setup
leather seats / racing seats
coilovers
TV system

This car was geared towards audio and thats where it excels. However with all these LCD's coming out, I wonder if it would benefit me to install one? I know the previous owner won a crap load of stuff and awards with this car, but that was a couple years ago now and time is ticking...

What I'm looking for is not to make a living off of it, but rather to help pay for the mods. Thats pretty much it really. But I dunno where to start exactly. Like how do you know where theres car shows going on? Or how do you get sponsers anyways?

Well I'll check out your links, but I'm on dial up and takes forever to get anywhere.

If you are serious about getting into the show world... you better have some seriously good hookups and some killer deep pockets. I have one sponsor. And it helps. But the money you make will not be substantial. Because by the time you start winning shows, you will be broke. You have to be amazingly clean, and posses something that other cars dont. If you want to go with the sleeper look, it's gonna be hard. Sleepers tend to be the cars that push 400+ hp. There is nothing wrong with it at all. I love it. But if you're looking to win some cash, and get sponsors, it's gonna be hard.

You sound like you have a good base. The interior is important, and often neglected. If you already know you're good with the sound and electronics... .stick with it and build on it. Personally, for the sleeper look, I'd def say shave it... all of it. Door handles, gutters, antenna, whipers and squirters. Possibly a headlight or taillight conversion. Something simple and clean. The go with a sweet ass paintjob. and you'll be on your way. if you're lookin to keep it simple, do just that.do the things that are subtle, but at the same time snag a judges eye. Don't pop your hood at a show till you are sure it is worth being judged. You'll only lose points. def drop it, maybe even air ride if you have the cash. some sweet rims and whatever else your heart desires. Try to stay away from cheap parts. and keep it clean and uncluttered. cleanliness is def the key. and be sure to prep your car well before hand.

Once you are set and happy with your car, and looking for sponsors, get a portfolio together. Go to a couple local shops for starters, just places that will be willing to throw you some cash for having their name on your car. Then start hitting the scene. Go to as many shows as you possibly can. get out, get seen. then start talking to people. You'll be suprised how things fall into your lap.

This is nothing more than my own ideas and thoughts. take them with a grain of salt. I was on my way before this deployment. So I should hit the scene hard when I get back. (new car will slow me down) But I"ll be into it for sure. If you have any questions let me know. I'll try my best to help you.

I'm getting a 97 GSX and i wanted to know what i should do with my car.I know want i'm going to with the car as far as mods.Like 20G turbo and the works.I'm going for hp...i'm talking about 400 hp ok.But i also want looks.I'm not going for the shows.But on the street i want to beat a vette but also have some looks.So i just wanted to know what you would do.If i do looks i would do Bomex body kit and sometype of wing.Maybe one of APR'S carbon fiber one's.But i dont know..so what should i do.Cuz i like the sleeper look then i go back at myself and then i dont know?

Oh yea...this isn't a show car...its just a look good go fast car.Just to let you know.

It's up to you man. If you like the bomex, go for it. But make sure you're positive! cause they'll run you about a grand. and thats some serious cash to drop if you end up not liking it. try seeing it in person, at a show. it'll give you a better idea. You're gonna spend some serious cash building up your car for speed. So take things in stages. Start with your basic engine mods, like intercooler piping, bov, intake, and so on. then do some exterior... like rims and maybe a drop.Then just keep doing things in stages. that way you're not stuck with all of one and none of the other. Just my 2 cents. I'm not a big fan of the apr wings, but thats just me. I like somethin a little more subtle, not into the shower door strapped to the back of the car look. you'll be better with the gsx off the line. so you're already a step ahead for racing. but remember, 400 hp is nothin to scoff at. thats some serious power.. esp if you're looking for it on pump gas!! But it's a good goal. Take everything in stages, and eventually... you will be happy. Good luck

Yea...400 hp is what i want on pump gas...i think i know how to do it for about $6,000 give or take.But like...i still dont know...i really like the sleeper look tho.So i dont know.If i do go for the body kit and wing thing...it will be the last thing i do to the car.But thanks man!

my opinion: i really like body kits, nice paint job and a hot interior BUT i wouldnt want a all show car that looka fast but its really not....like im on the street with my car and a geo metro comes up to me and smokes my ass...i dont want that, im a off topic but i just wanted to say somethin...im bored :)

Import2nr99,

Thanks for the informative replies. But where would you say I start looking to find out where car shows would be held? I know some are of course reported in the newspaper, TV, but lots of times it seems like they go unannounced.

dsm97gsx,

What your asking/saying is OT really, this thread is about car shows and since yours has nothing to do with car shows, I'm not really sure why your posting here. You'd get a better answer probably by just making a thread on that topic or searching the forum.

Chavez408,

Yeah I don't plan on spending huge amounts of money for show. And I know exactly what you mean. I drive crazy myself and love to race every chance I get. The car isn't slow I would say, but not fast. And to make it fast I would need to spend an easy $3,000 just on that alone. So thats why I probably won't be going with a turbo anytime soon. Unless of course I was able to win a few shows to help cover the cost.

I'm actually wondering if it would be possible to rip out my stereo equipment and plug it into a GSX. :D Perhaps if I have enough money by next summer time, I may even go that route.

hot imports night is a nation wide event... charlise PA has a HUGE weekend show depends where you live,,, get on some other import forums and shit youll find what your lokin for

There is a complete list of the nopi shows in super street mag. Also try nopi online, and all the major import venues such as hot import nights, tuner wars, and so on. most drag venues also have a show section so be sure to check out nhra a ndra. Most of the shows that are advertised in the paper will be your local shows. Those are great shows to go to just to get a feel for the scene and get seen by people. Once people start talking about your car, you know you're gettin somewhere. Google search is your friend. at home, I have an entire list of just about every major show on the east coast. But... I'm 6000 miles from there. You should be able to find it on most tuner pages though. Don't worry about being branded a ricer. It happens.. and just cause it's not thier thing doesn't mean it has to be yours. I let it bother me to much... so much.. that I sold my show car (99 gs) and bought a gs-t. But it will be built by the beginning of the summer and I will be back on the scene. Hopefully without the ricer title. But even if I do, I'll actually be able to back my looks. sorry to ramble about me...

If the only thing keeping you from selling your RS is your sound system... tear the bitch out and start over. Make it your own, change the things you didn't like, so on and so forth. But don't do it till you have the money to get your gsx/gst. Take what you have now, go out, get seen, talk to your local shops... make friends, connections.. let people know you're serious. Don't let people wonder, if you're serious about being a contender, make sure they know. That way they'll be more comfortable in supporting you cause they know you won't take the money and run. Build a portfolio... your car as it is currently, what you've done with it, what you plan to do... and a list of all the shows and places you plan to attend also any other sponsorships you may already have. The more places you go, the more you will be seen (duh) but the sponsors will see you out there and be inclined to toss things your way since you get seen a lot. Try and make friends with some people who are good with engines and body work... that way you don't have to pay for that kind of shit and you'll save TONS of cash! Ebay is a great place to find parts, believe it or not. Just watch out for bogus no name parts and kit sellers.

When looking for sponsors, start small. Go to local tuner shops and see if they can throw you somethin if you put their name out for them. that will help a lot with those little things like racing pedals and shift knobs... the little bullshit that is just a pain to buy, not expensive, but pulls from your major stuff. Then, once you think you are worthy, start contacting the larger companies. Depending on where you live, this can be pretty hard. Try at shows. You've got a whole weekend to make contacts, then hook up, and get together at the next show. Thats how I got my sponsorship. Just casual conversation with them, and then a hook up.

Make sure you know your car! Nothin is more frustrating to a sponsor than when you try to describe what you've got or want and you stand there spitting and sputtering and stuttering your parts out cause you can't remember the names.

Anyway, you sound like you have a good base (15 grand in stereo is DEF a good start!) Take it and run with it. Best of luck to you man. Keep me updated. If you happen to live in the northeast (pa) we could hook up and I could probably get you in with a couple good guys I know that would be more than happy to help you out.

ENJOY!

Import2nr99,

Thanks for the informative reply! Nice to see someone take the time and effort to type that!

Yeah what I need to do first is get it up to spec. Right now the car is in need of a paint job. But before that I would like to shave a few things and so on. So I dunno exactly, but I need a few months before I'm ready to display but baby at car shows.

If I have any questions, I'll message yea. I'm sure I will have questions too. :D

Well it's 2AM here, better hit the settle...