First Year Being A Sponsored Rider – By Fraser Stewart

I have been riding dirt bikes since I was about five years old when my dad introduced me to the sport, however; I have only been racing for four years now. For me to race it seemed natural, I was surrounded by friends and family who took part in the sport and who encouraged me to do so. Besides the results, I was very successful in the first few years, I had become well liked at the races because I was never afraid to talk to event organizers or fellow racers, and although I participated very competitively; it never got in the way of my humble attitude.

Near the beginning of my third year racing, I started to realize how expensive it was for my family to keep me invested into the sport. I thought about sponsors, how I would approach them, what I would say and who I would go to. My plans for sponsorship never went through, I procrastinated and hummed and hawed. My dad encouraged me to send out the proposals, but I never got around to it. The reason I had no sponsorship in my third year racing was because I had not yet understood the value of money, and how important money was to carry on with this expensive sport I took part in
In the off season between my third and fourth year of racing I became very close to Jarrett May and he instilled me with enthusiasm. He had a plan to create, manage and race for a fully sponsored race team, and he wanted me to be one of the team riders. Knowing Jarrett, I knew the moment this mere idea came out of his mouth, he would turn it into reality.

I was pumped on the idea, Jarrett did most of the work getting all of the team sponsors on board, while I helped out a little bit with the one lone sponsor I brought on board. Jarrett worked night and day to persuade people and their companies. I admired him and payed him back with work on the bike and at the gym, I wanted to be taken seriously at the first race and to represent the team the best I could.
When the first race of the 2015 season rolled around I was scared $#!%less, I had the nicest gear, bike, pit setup, and I felt like I needed to prove that I deserved this nice stuff. I was so tight that morning that I crashed five minutes into the race, I broke a rib and I cut my kidney, needless to say, I didn’t finish. The week after that race I contemplated quitting the team because I didn’t think I could handle the pressure. I talked with my teammates and mostly Jarrett. I started to realize that results were the smallest part of being a sponsored rider.

A big part about being sponsored was the media, I made quite a few posts on Facebook and on Instagram, I liked doing it in my free time. It was a great way to easily and professionally thank the sponsors where everyone would see it. The posts, more or less, made me respectable in the sport I loved without even getting great results.
For the rest of the season I still worked my butt off and did the best I could possibly do, but I focused on myself and how I performed as an individual, rather than comparing myself to the competition. After the races I loved thanking the sponsors whenever I had a chance, I felt so grateful for what they have allowed me to achieve. Jarrett always pushed me to wear the Husqvarna and other sponsors apparel, I felt that when I wore the sponsorship clothing that I was show boating the team, and myself. I was worried that people thought I was bragging and not just simply supporting the companies that help me and the team. I guess sometimes you can’t let the opinions of others affect how you want to go about living your life. As soon as I figured that out, not only did I wear the clothes proudly but I actually think I rode better too. All In all, 2015 was a very successful year for me, I loved and appreciated being on the team. I learnt a bunch of unforgettable life lessons and I had the privilege to see and ride in some of the most beautiful places in British Columbia.
Being a sponsored rider was stressful sometimes but so much good came out of it at the same time. For 2016 I hope to leave some of my self pressuring in the past and continue on with my love for riding. I hope that being on this team and being a part of Husqvarna Motorcycles Canada I can contribute and motivate the growth of this wonderful sport. I will continue to look up to, and respect the elders of the sport, and I hope to one day inspire others the way some have inspired me.