Collecting Racing Autographs

You may have heard horror stories about fans buying sports autographs only to find out they were fake. The good news with racing autographs is that most of them simply aren’t worth counterfeiting. Drivers past and present are so good about signing for free everywhere they go, the values pale in comparison to their big name baseball, football and basketball counterparts.

NASCAR, IndyCar and NHRA signatures are typically worth less than $50—most much less. A special piece signed by Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Johnson or Dale Earnhardt Jr. will often exceed the $50 figure, of course. Deceased drivers such as NASCAR’s Davey Allison and Alan Kulwicki or those in other sports who have met death at an early age can sell for $75-125, or more depending on the item. Unlike their baseball counterparts, however, NASCAR autograph collectors generally focus on current stars or living legends. Items signed by the late Dale Earnhardt usually go for $100-200 each, again unless the signed item is of special significance or quality. Fireball Roberts and Curtis Turner are also valuable.

Many collectors get autographs on die-cast race cars. That flies in the face of the logic that says the value is in the car itself. Others believe it an autographed die cast is worth more. A good rule is to know the value of the die-cast car itself. Adding a lower tier driver’s autograph to a high value car might not be a good idea. The most popular signed die-cast cars are the 1:24 scale. Most believe it’s best to get your autograph on the windshield, hood or roof. Others prefer the 1:64 size cars with the autograph placed on the outside packaging. It’s a good point. Smearing an autograph is much less likely.

Where do you get racing autographs to build your collection? EBay auctions, of course, are a fair market way to get racing autographs. Be sure to check your seller’s feedback, the history of the signed item and also learn as much as you can about a driver’s signature. Dealing with sellers who offer a money-back guarantee on authenticity is not a bad idea.

Getting free autographs from drivers is certainly the cheapest route to go, but it will take some effort. Drivers make a lot of personal appearances in areas where they’re racing and corporate signings in areas they’ll visit as part of a their contract. They also do charity functions. Some even hold charity events themselves and are more than willing to add their autograph to a special race-used piece or other item if you’re willing to bid on things in the auctions that usually accompany those events. The internet is a good place to locate driver appearances.

Some drivers actually conduct autograph sessions at the souvenir trailers they bring to each race site. Whether you’re going to a personal appearance at a shopping center, a charity event or to the track, just remember that a lot of people have the same idea you do. Get there very early and be patient.

You can also get autographs through the mail. Most driver websites or fan club sites will contain information on where to send your item and how to have the best chance of getting it returned to you properly. Again, however, you must be patient. It can take months for drivers to fulfill the mountain of requests they receive.

Interaction with a driver is a part of the autograph experience that sometimes means more that the signature itself. But don’t get so caught up in the moment that you don’t take a picture to help you document its authenticity. Racing is full of collecting opportunities, but autographs might be the cheapest, most rewarding segment among racing hobbyists.

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