Just in time for the Holidays Is that you, Tom? Remember all those books and seminars dealing with how to get sponsorship to go racing that were in vogue years ago? I don’t know anyone who actually got anywhere with the motorsport equivalent of earning big money stuffing envelopes in your spare time. So it came as no surprise when I came across the latest way to try and secure a sponsor with deep pockets… ebay. Yep, that's right. You want to go racing, list it on ebay. Last week an individual (I cant believe it was a major company but it could be Tom Walkinshaw) registered in the UK with no feedback history offered a complete team to run at Le Mans in 2005. The starting bid was a mere 1,997,000.00 sterling. Just check these features If you are the lucky bidder you are entitled to a LMP prototype with a Judd 5.0 V-10 stuffed in to a carbon tub of sorts that will be designed and built in your very own ex F1 factory located in the UK Lots of downforce is promised as is six forward gears and a Motec system. Visit the wind tunnel, the composite shop and play with the 3D Cad. As seen on TV The seller says he has two productions companies that want to document the project from start to finish and air the story in a series of half hour shorts. In addition, the car will have in shakedown and then compete in Europe and the US If it all works out, additional cars will be built and sold so you can recoup your investment. Now why didn't Panoz think of that ?!? Money, it’s a hit I found the whole description amusing but I understand the reasons why it was done in such a manner. One is the novelty of having it listed on ebay, that alone will get you coverage but not necessarily any money. A listing on ebay saves a lot of time from getting meetings cancelled, three martini lunches with prospective investors who bail only after you have paid for lunch. That one person who is willing to take a chance (and isn't all motorsport just that) may just be intrigued by the approach and contact the seller. Why not? The Price is right Who knows, this may be the wave of the future. Dave Price can list his team on ebay and a seller who has a car and no team will end up with Pricey. Maybe this isn't such a good idea after all. Ebay D-way After you read this, go to ebay and type Jaguar D-type in the search box. When I last checked the bids were over $ 820,000,00 and the reserve was not met. Only five more days to get your bids in. Good luck ! |
Kerry Morse |
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