Fred
Good advice.
Yes I agree getting the feeling for the events and the cars is certainly the way to go. Very few sponsors would be willing to just step up and sponsor an unknown driver or car. So as said you'll probaly carry the cost yourself at first.
You'll need to get out there and gain some smaller sponsors to get the momentum for the next step and a bigger sponsor.
The smaller sponsors may just want to have their name out there?
Obviously, you will need to be a front runner also before sponsors start talking with you!! Every sponsor wants BANG for his/her bucks.