Mazda Motorsports has compiled a list of 10 essential actions to being the complete racer. The series of articles is targeted at young drivers hoping to climb the ranks into professional racing. The first of these actions is to find partners and sponsors so you can keep going.

Racing professionally requires marketing value as well as talent. You could be the best racecar driver in the world; it doesn’t matter if you don’t have the backing to hit the track and prove it.

Finding partnerships is about making connections and finding value. You must find the company that will benefit from backing your efforts, prove that they need you, then go from there. Networking is a great tool in the professional world, and not something that should be ignored. The more people you introduce yourself to, the better chance you have of proving your value. It takes creativity and effort, but can pay off if your dream is to drive professionally.

To read more, visit MazdaMotorsports.com

Photo by Al Merion