Mirage offer various "team drives" to all enthusiasts. We have the SDP Shop Driver Programme which has been running for a couple of years now and is very successful in helping the shops support the drivers.
The 'aim' of the join the mirage racing team advert is to do some market research in to the racing segment of the hobby. I want to then encourage people to use the SDP through their local model shop.
Mirage only sponsor drivers directly when we feel that we can actively help the driver develop, there is no point in just saying there you go you have a team drive. I have been in this hobby now 15 years and have seen both sides of the industry and know that when I started out I would have loved some guidance in the early stages.
That is what Mirage are offering - guidance and support for racers out there who enjoy the hobby and choose to spend all of their hard earned cash to do something they enjoy. If I can help one driver become more confident, enthusiastic, committed then I feel very proud of that.
Model shops are KEY to this industry. I know how important it is to have advice and support in your area. It is a shame that some shops do not support clubs better as that is a trend I have seen over the past 10 years, fewer shops at meetings. Because of this people have to make sure they have enough stuff and this is where the internet fast turn around shops come in as they can help out drivers at last minute.com to get that part they just broke or forgot to order.
If you send in the completed request then you will be either recommended to join the SDP or if your results are worthy then you may be considered for a 'direct' drive. If Neil Cragg emailed (not saying he would) then I would not push him through the SDP as no other distributer/sponsor would do I'm sure!
So basically guys we are trying to encourage drivers to go through the shops, but we need the shops to support racers!!!!
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