MiCAR Launch Lets Race Fans Put Face on Indy Car, Offers Ownership Experience

Based in Indianapolis with over 100 celebrity owners, MiCAR is revolutionizing IndyCar team ownership by allowing fans and businesses of all sizes the ability to post their Facebook profile pic on an Indy Car and Indy Car Transporter, as well as the ability to buy into various levels of ownership experience.

“MiCar is an exciting concept, lead by a dynamic group, and it's great to see where Indy Car is headed for the fans," said Omar Miller, star of CSI Miami, executive producer of the new sports reality show MVP on Fox Sports and MiCar celebrity partner. “Those of us in the entertainment industry are always looking for new ways to not only spectate the sports we love, but become uniquely involved in the ownership experience.”

How it Works:

Fans will be able to visit the MiCAR fan page on Facebook, and by using their curser on the virtual car, they can select grid space on the car for purchase. In 2012, Facebook profile pictures will be painted on the car and remain throughout the season. Fans may purchase as many grid squares on the car as they wish, provided they are available and unoccupied.

“We are very excited to introduce a new ownership model that will change the way professional sports teams not only operate, but market and engage fans,” said Jen Beaver, founder and co-owner of the MiCAR Racing Team. “There is no better time than the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 to unveil the MiCar Facebook application.”

The brother-sister duo who founded the team have brought together the power of social media, their respect for the Green Bay Packers’ public ownership model, and passion for auto racing, all with the fans in mind – “my car” or MiCAR.

“This has always been a rich man’s hobby that others watched and enjoyed, but could never truly participate in; we are using the inherent capabilities of Facebook, and the vast power of social media, to allow the average fan to experience what Paul Newman, David Letterman, and the Andretti’s have for decades,” said Michael Bilello, MiCAR racing team co-owner and spokesperson.

Attempts to reform CSI: Miami Fan Club cause schism | The Chicago Dope

Should be honored, fan club membership coordinator Marty Luder left with other disgruntled members to start the Reformed CSI: Miami Fan Club.

With the creation of the new organization and separate Facebook page, Luder and his followers stuck a significant blow to the long established CSI: Miami Fan Club by inciting an exodus of over 20 percent of the almost two million members.

According to Luder, among the causes of the schism was the strict requirement that any praise for show star David Caruso be offered through Fan Club President Leo Medici and his select group of administrators on the message boards.

Additionally, Luder and his followers grew increasingly angered over the group’s selling of show coffee mugs and t-shirts as  indulgences to members seeking penance for message board violations.  Luder charged that the funds were being misappropriated for the construction of an extravagant and unnecessary new fan web site.

This is not the first time the CSI: Miami Fan Club has been involved in controversy. For years, there have been accusations that the group has attempted to forcibly convert fans of the original CSI: Crime Scene Investigation offers.