Click the images to view the #49 Microsoft Camry in our gallery
Kickin' racing games like Forza 2 and PGR4 aside, Microsoft is one of the biggest companies not involved in motorsports. But after partnering with McLaren on the development of Formula One's new standardized, traction-control-less engine management unit, the software giant could be changing its mind.
BAM Motorsport has managed to convince Microsoft's small business division to sponsor Ken Schrader's #49 Toyota Camry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Microsoft's sponsorship will first be seen this weekend at the Martinsville Speedway in Virginia and will continue for the remaining 32 races in the season, and includes a promotional contest with Microsoft-associated small businesses. If the partnership proves successful, we wouldn't be surprised to see the Microsoft logo appearing on Formula One and other racing cars in the near future... just hopefully not on the windows. Check out the gallery to see the #49 car from all the angles.
[Source: GrandPrix.com and Microsoft SMB Community Blog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
cowboy bob @ Mar 27th 2008 6:12PM
Ken Schrader is a racer. Old school, hardheaded, and a man who is the posterboy for the kind of racer who has almost disappeared. I love the guy, and think this is the greatest thing going for him. Blow a hole in it, and go baby go.
HotRodzNKustoms @ Mar 27th 2008 6:12PM
Let the "If Microsoft built a car" jokes begin...
Avinash machado @ Mar 28th 2008 5:10AM
MICROSOFT ANNOUNCES A MAJOR CORPORATE DIVERSIFICATION
INTO THE CAR-MAKING BUSINESS.
The major design criteria are:
1. Economies in interior design are based upon uniform size. Seats are all the same size and a standard distance from the steering wheel
2. The cars will run only on Microsoft petrol. (Microsoft LP Gas will be announced soon.)
3. The oil, alternator, low-fuel, and engine management system warning lights will be replaced by a single "General Car Protection Fault" warning light.
4. Delivery strategy is such that the consumer is under constant pressure to upgrade (modestly priced "upgrade" kits will be available either dealer-fitted or self-install). Support for self-install is an extra cost option. The cost is based upon the number of calls and the number of callers.
5. You can have only one person in the car at a time, unless you buy CarXP or CarVista, but having bought one of these, you still need to purchase more seats.
6. Occasionally, for no reason at all, the car will die for no apparent reason, and restarting is a simple turn of the key ... strangely, this is accepted as normal.
7. Every time the lines on your normal road are repainted, you must buy a new MS Car.
8. People would get excited about the new features of the Microsoft car, forgetting that the same features have been available from other car makers for years.
And not to forget:
9. Sun MicroSystems will make a car that is solar-powered, twice as reliable, and five times as fast, but will run on only 5 percent of currently constructed roads.
Source GCFL.net
Ray @ Mar 27th 2008 6:14PM
Considering Microsoft developed Sync for Ford it's kinda like a slap in the face to Ford.
Red Star @ Mar 27th 2008 6:22PM
It sucks that teams that can barely qualify for races (Schrader drove only 2 races this season) have sponsors like Microsoft, but guys like Gilliland and Kvapil who drive every weekend (and each has 1 Top 10 this season) can't find sponsors at all.
john @ Mar 27th 2008 6:29PM
Why does it have avenger headlights if it is a camry?
cquartararo @ Mar 27th 2008 6:41PM
Hahah, they used a Dodge Nascar Car and just changed the grill. The tail lights are wrong too.
dskinner @ Mar 27th 2008 6:39PM
And tail lights?
I guess you can mix-and-match the stickers!
Ray @ Mar 27th 2008 6:44PM
He did the car show headlight, tail light conversion thing.
VP @ Mar 27th 2008 7:16PM
As someone already said BAM racing is in the process switching from Dodge to Toyota starting this weekend.
KCurtis @ Mar 27th 2008 8:56PM
It's a 3D game model, the person who made it, just got lazy. lol
DS @ Mar 27th 2008 6:35PM
because its nascar
uncle bo @ Mar 27th 2008 6:43PM
BAM Racing is in the process of switching from Dodge to Toyota. This weekend's race in Martinsville will be their first with a Toyota. BAM apparently is developing a partnership with Bill Davis Racing.
This is not the first time Microsoft has sponsored a car in Cup. From the 2006 season:
http://www.jayski.com/schemes/2006/cup/66mircosoft-side.jpg
94 taurus owner @ Mar 27th 2008 7:05PM
That camry looks like an avenger.
Xr @ Mar 27th 2008 7:18PM
I agree Red Star. I'm struggling to understand why Microsoft would sponsor a car out of the top 35 (thus forced to qualify on speed each weekend) with a driver who hasnt had a top 10 in 2 years. Gilliland or Kvapil are way more deserving.
FordGT @ Mar 27th 2008 7:18PM
NASCAR? How about sending my Live Search Club prizes already? Where's my Zune? And Vista?
hashiryu @ Mar 27th 2008 7:51PM
Toyota & Microsoft? Call the anti-trust lawyers
lol
Rob @ Mar 27th 2008 8:08PM
I wonder how many times a day it will crash. Or how many times a month it will have to be updated. Haha.
Niels @ Mar 27th 2008 8:13PM
Maybe Microsoft's car will crash as often as its products.
Thedevil @ Mar 27th 2008 9:06PM
I bet microsoft will develope a system for toyota vehicles name FLOAT! you know ford sync,toyota float? now thats funny! ok maybe not. carry on!