MSN Gaming Zone and Toyota Give Away New Tundra 4x4 Truck
22 April 1999
MSN Gaming Zone and Toyota Give Away New Tundra 4x4 Truck Toyota Tundra V8 4x4 Announced as Grand Prize for the Tundra Madness
Tournament on the MSN Gaming Zone
REDMOND, Wash., April 21 -- To celebrate the launch of the
new Toyota Tundra, Toyota's full-size pickup truck assembled in the United
States, the MSN Gaming Zone and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc. announced that
they will give away a Toyota Tundra on the MSN Gaming Zone as the grand prize
for the Tundra Madness tournament, for which competition begins tomorrow. The
Tundra, valued at over $27,000 (retail), will be the largest prize ever given
away on the MSN Gaming Zone, the No. 1 gaming community on the Internet. The
MSN Gaming Zone can be found on the Internet at http://www.zone.com/ or by
clicking on Games at http://msn.com/.
The Tundra Madness tournament is free* and open to all Internet users
residing in the United States** who register on the MSN Gaming Zone and own
the highly acclaimed "Monster Truck Madness(R) 2" racing simulation game from
Microsoft Corp. The MSN Gaming Zone has created a Toyota-customized version of
"Monster Truck Madness 2" especially for the Tundra Madness tournament.
Players will race against each other in virtual Tundra trucks on an online
racetrack tailor-made for the Toyota tournament. Online competitors of all
skill levels are encouraged to vie for the coveted champion title "Duke of
Dirt" and, of course, the Toyota Tundra.
"The Zone and Toyota will send four finalists to the Toyota Tundra
manufacturing plant in Indiana, where they will compete in front of a live
audience for the truck," said Adam Waalkes, product unit manager of the MSN
Gaming Zone. "The finalists will get to witness firsthand the Tundras being
assembled at the Indiana plant."
Available June 1, 1999, the Toyota Tundra will make its official debut at
the Tundra Madness finals at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Inc. in Princeton,
Ind. "Toyota was looking for an innovative, 'beyond-the-banner' Web campaign
in which to launch the Toyota Tundra," said Dave Pelliccioni, vice president
of marketing at Toyota. "But we've never launched a vehicle at a monster truck
event -- let alone at an online monster truck event."
About Tundra Madness
The Tundra Madness tournament features "Microsoft Monster Truck Madness 2"
on the MSN Gaming Zone. Similar to live monster truck events, the Tundra
Madness racing tournament is divided into trials, with each trial diminishing
the opportunity for competitors to advance to the finals. The last trial is
called the "Meatgrinder," in which two competitors will earn wild card
invitations to the semifinals. The MSN Gaming Zone and Toyota will send four
finalists to Toyota Motor Manufacturing where they will compete for the grand
prize in a live event. Players can log on to the MSN Gaming Zone
( http://www.zone.com/ ) for the full official rules and for additional
information.
About the Toyota Tundra
The 2000 Toyota Tundra pickup truck will compete in the domestic full-size
pickup segment and clearly will be a strong competitor in the areas of
acceleration, braking and towing. With a starting manufacturer's suggested
retail price of under $15,000, the Tundra features a car-like interior and a
smooth ride. Upgraded Tundra models offer the 245-horsepower i-Force V8
engine, up to 7,200 pounds of towing capacity, up to nearly 2,000 pounds of
maximum payload (on selected specially equipped models), a four-door access
cab, available four-wheel-drive capabilities and a variety of option packages.
About Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of
Toyota in the United States. Toyota is the fourth largest auto manufacturer in
America, and its award-winning Web site can be accessed at
http://www.toyota.com/. More than half of all Toyota vehicles sold in the
United States are manufactured in North America using domestic and imported
parts.
About the MSN Gaming Zone
With more than 5 million registered users from around the world and up to
250,000 unique visitors per day, the Zone is the most popular gaming community
on the Internet. The Zone offers free* membership and a wide variety of games
including free* card, board and puzzle games; free* matchmaking for popular
CD-ROM games; and premium games designed specifically for "massively
multiplayer" gaming on the Internet. In addition, the MSN Gaming Zone has
teamed with key partners to offer its members expanded gaming services such as
industry news, product reviews, downloadable demos, online shopping and a
broader range of online games.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products
and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of
making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full
power of personal computing every day.
NOTE:
* Connect-time charges may apply.
** Residents of Arizona, North Dakota, Maryland and Vermont are not
eligible to win prizes. See official rules.
Microsoft, MSN and "Monster Truck Madness" are either trademarks or
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks
of their respective owners.
