A new crowd-sourcing website has gone live that allows customers to publish tenders or source quotes and credentials from a range of suppliers within motorsport and the automotive sector.
Users are able to create Project Briefs containing a description of what work is required, deadlines, budgets and even file uploads, providing suppliers interested in the opportunity with a level playing field to impress from.
Registered suppliers will have access to their own profile page, Project Brief contact details and will be notified when Briefs relevant to their skills are published.
The site has been developed with UK motorsport in mind, but it’s expected that the service could be used by the automotive sector at large, including advanced mechanical engineering and classic car restoration, while also branching out into other countries.
In a bid to develop and entice suppliers to join the currently free directory, MotorsportSuppliers.com is offering an impressive competition to win a bespoke website design and digital consultancy with founder Patrick Hathaway, worth £3,500.
While appreciating the size of the task to encourage the industry to take to this service, the Cardiff-based founder is optimistic that the site can develop and adapt quickly to match demands.
“There’s quite a feature list developing already,” he said.
“I’m keen to see testimonials and supplier integrity measures become a primary feature, so the functionality that allows previous customer to support suppliers is going to be included soon.
“Fortunately my own experience in web design and development means I can adapt the site fairly quickly and with no real cost to worry about. The key though will be to get the community involved and help determine what should be done to the site to support them as customers and as suppliers.”
While flexibility in the short term will be a positive, Patrick is focussed on a much bigger vision for the company.
“From a business point of view, rather than as a form of entertainment – motorsport is still only just coming around to the opportunities available in the digital space and that’s where I see the company making the biggest contribution.
“There may be a whole range of services we can offer, but for now, I’m focussed on proving the concept of MotorsportSuppliers.com, before potentially seeking investment. I’m looking towards growing a team and exploring opportunities to do that.”
The site is currently free to use while it is expected Suppliers will eventually be charged a simple fee for access, rather than per project, as all communications around a project are made solely between the customer and supplier.
Suppliers wanting a chance to win a website and digital consultancy have until the 16 October to register for their free Supplier account.
For more information visit: MotorsportSuppliers.com