Well, you first of all have to be willing to attend at least 3 shows, maybe somethin that will set you apart from the crowd and if they ask you to go for one thats out of ur state or jus plain far away they will cover the traveling costs as well as entrance.
this is the place where it all started:
www.carsponsorships.com
so basically you sign up, they talk to the ppl and u get hooked up through them
If they choose u, i highly suggest taking them up on the HIN full sponsorship from 5+ companies and parts are well worth it. all you have to do is attend the Hot Import Nights nearst u. i was really disappointed to find out after HIN that they were willing to give the package of stuff from dunlop, b&g suspension and lots more worth $7,000+ to me after HIN had passed the chicago area