The week-long buildup to the coming weekend’s TwitGP continues apace, with yet more followers joining in the fun and more big names helping ensure that MotoGP fans don’t go without a very special event to replace Sunday’s postponed Japanese Grand Prix. It now even has a virtual track to run on… “Twitegi”!
Jorge Lorenzo is the latest sporting celeb to get involved, and with well over four thousand followers now onboard and counting, the story is getting picked up not only by MotoGP and motorsport websites, and the always awesome MCN, but also other blogs and tech magazines, including T3.
In an effort to ensure newcomers to the TwitGP phenomenon are filled in with all the background info in a more complete, extended and digestible format than the ongoing dialogue on Twitter itself, TwitGP have set up a blog here to fill in the gaps. This will continue to be updated with details and downloads as things move forward.
It’s here that you can find things like the TwitGP logo, and “press passes” etc – all building a fun ‘virtual’ environment to get fans in the mood. Also on the site is the circuit guide and layout as designed by Tiff Needell.
The main focus of activity of course is Twitter itself, and if you’re not already on Twitter then you should sign up and follow @TwitGP – many posts relating to the event are also tagged with #twitgp – so keep an eye out for that too.
Suzi Perry explained a little more about the genesis of the whole TwitGP idea in a message to T3 magazine:
“My crazy friend was so upset that the Japanese MotoGP had been postponed that he came up with the idea of having a ‘virtual’ race. After a hilarious conference call with him and another deluded buddy, the three of us set to work to make it happen. It is a bit of fun really that has turned into a full time job! We will have practice on Friday, Qualifying on Saturday an the Race on Sunday. In less than 2 days almost 3,500 folk are following including actual riders, press, teams, bands (Stereophonics) and celebs (Ross Noble) We have an official logo, media passes and pit passes being displayed by some of our followers, special tyres have been provided by Twitstone and of course there will be a rousing party to celebrate on Sunday night which is sure to rival Live Aid, virtually. We are @TwitGP and we will be the first ever virtual sporting event on Twitter.”
Throughout the week @TwitGP will be updating its followers about how the virtual riders will virtually prepare for the race – there will be practice on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, then the main event on Sunday. It will all unfold before the followers’ eyes in sentences containing no more than 140 characters…
Fans are interacting in increasingly inventive ways, supplying virtual logos, passes, programmes and even VIP party tents.
This is being done entirely for fun – while a few people have asked if it’s “real”, the vast majority completely understand the concept and have thrown themselves into the spirit of things.
So don’t miss this opportunity to get involved in something very special – get onto Twitter now and join in the fun. If you’ve not used Twitter before and fancy a few people to follow and chat with then why not also add our sites and staff to your list: @batifans , @teamaspar , @garethbouch , @scottredding45 , @peretutusaus
