Ford launches new racing Virtual Reality app for fans

Ford's first film will be an eight-minuted narrated clip from inside the GT as it makes its return in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Read about the latest sports tech news, innovations, ideas and products that impact players, fans and the sports industry at SportTechie.com.

In the latest sign of Virtual Reality’s growing influence on sports, Ford is introducing a VR storytelling app that will let racing fans get an up-close and personal experience of the company’s automotive innovations.

Subscribe to the
SportTechie Newsletter

Subscribe

• Rating NBC's Olympics coverage
• Michael Phelps dominated on Facebook during Olympics
• Breaking down Kobe's $100M investment fund

Ford teamed up with Tool of North America, which specializes in storytelling through platforms like films, virtual words and more. In this instance, the story is the return of Ford’s GT in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to provide truly immersive experiences that showcase the best of Ford Motor Company,” Ford digital marketing manager Lisa Schoder said in a statement. “Our Virtual Reality platform allows us to tell dramatic, impactful stories, to show a surprising side of Ford.”

The available footage from this particular event will include an eight-minute narrated clip from inside the GT itself. Fans will get a first-hand, 360-degree look of what the drivers see while racing, in the Ford Performance garage and on pit row. Creating this content was the way Ford elected to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the GT40’s 1-2-3 victory back in 1966.

“On top of sharing Virtual Reality stories about our innovative products, we are also looking to bring mobility issues to the forefront,” said Schoder. “As we expand our business to be both an auto and a mobility company, we are pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility.”

The app is called “FordVR” and is available in both the iTunes store and Google Play store. While it’s suggested that using a VR headset will give the user the best experience, it’s not required. Next on the list will be an experience around the Ford Focus RS RX and Hoonigan Racing’s Ken Block. It is scheduled to be released in September.