If you want to get TRUE sponsorship this is the best way to do it:

1. Spend your money at ONE shop. Work with that shop to build your car, buy parts etc. Go to their door make large purchases, talk to the owner, repeat. Let them know what your plans are for your car and tell them that you are looking for sponsors.

Most guys will randomly call up or write shops they have never spent a dime at or talked to before. Why in the hell would they want to give away merchandise to someone they don't know regardless of how many shows you won in your area. Even though you may have a nice car or a fast one, how do they knoe that you aren't a complete asshole or worse yet an idiot with money that doesn't know the difference between a radiator cap and an oil cap. If they put their name on your car then everyone associates you with them....a quick way to ruin a companies rep in an area.

2. When you do go to car shows, make sure you seek out the sponsor of the show and talk to them. Make sure he or she knows you and your car. Attend as many of the shows that they sponsor as possible. When people see you win, know you are an ok person and your car is fast or nice looking it's much easier to want to assosciate your company with that person. Everybody likes to associate with winners.