Mini vs Porsche - A win for Porsche, as expected

As it turns out, Porsche did accept MINI's race challenge and promptly thrashed the upstart. No doubt the German performance marque grew tired of MINI's repeated calls for a race, like this hilarious video which features the Cooper S as it punishes itself in pursuit for all-out motorsports glory! Rocky style, complete with 80s music!

Despite the fact that MINI created a autocross track at Road Atlanta's infield, which was designed to maximize the Mini Cooper S' abilities and to negate the 911's high-speed prowess, the Cooper lost by a full two seconds.

As some of you might have guessed, the main aim of MINI's PR stunt was not to beat the 911 but to point out the best-bang-for-bucks value proposition of the Cooper S - that the difference between the two cars was only $38,000 US dollars a second. For those of us who are into motorsports, the additional $76,000 might be money well spent - especially when it comes to achieving the best lap time at the track. I guess MINI should have taken up Hyundai’s challenge instead but at the end of the day, the company got what it wanted, which was to promote their product alongside a motoring legend, the 911.

Be sure watch the race and two introductory videos, including a thoroughly amusing explanation as to why MINI opted for an autocross track and not the full track at Road Atlanta. All three can be viewed below.

[Source: Autoblog and Facebook]

Hyundai vs MINI - A Counter Challenge From Korea

Hyundai has decided to enter the fray and issued a counter challenge to race / duel MINI! Watch their video challenge at the bottom of this post (Source: Ausmotive).

Hyundai's weapon of choice - their 3.8 litre V6 Genesis Coupé. Judging from the reviews the Genesis has been garnering (EVO magazine gave it 4 starts out of 5), it might not be all smooth sailing for MINI during race day at Road Atlanta.

It should be noted that the Genesis is designed to go toe to toe with the Nissan 370Z and not a super-mini like the Mini Cooper S.

MINI's PR stunt has taken an interesting turn but it all depends on whether they are willing to accept a challenge from an inferior brand, one that is not German and not someone they are expected compete with in the showroom.

Porsche declines MINI's challenge

Porsche has deigned to formally reply to MINI's challenge. In an open letter that was sent by Detlev Von Platen, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America (available in full below), the automotive company has declined on grounds that:

“Porsche doesn’t race for fame, stunts or publicity. We race to challenge ourselves; we race to push sports car technology; we race to translate every win on the track to our cars on the road.”

Von Platen also took the opportunity to remind MINI about its tradition and continued commitment to winning major racing events:

“While your challenge seems like a fun and lighthearted campaign, we’ll stick to racing the way we have over the decades. We welcome you at Sebring, Le Mans, Daytona or any other sanctioned race where there is more at stake than T-shirts and valet parking spaces.”

To highlight this, Von Platen included a link to a Porsche advertisement that showcases its racing pedigree (http://tinyurl.com/37xdjqx).

So unfortunately boys and girls, there isn't going to be a the MINI v Porsche grudge match. I have no doubts that MINI will hit back some new witty marketing remark and capitalise on Porsche's response to it's challenge. Let the battle of wits begin!

[Source: Ausmotive and Autoblog]

Dear Jim,

Imagine our surprise to discover our former employee, now the head of Mini, has challenged us to a head-to-head race. As you surely know, Porsche has a long history of racing success, with more than 28,000 wins over the last 60 years. In our early days, we pitted ourselves against the giants, so we’ve been in your shoes.

But as you also know, Porsche doesn’t race for fame, stunts or publicity. We race to challenge ourselves; we race to push sports car technology; we race to translate every win on the track to our cars on the road. If you need a reminder of our intent, please take a look at this short video: http://tinyurl.com/37xdjqx

While your challenge seems like a fun and lighthearted campaign, we’ll stick to racing the way we have over the decades. We welcome you at Sebring, Le Mans, Daytona or any other sanctioned race where there is more at stake than T-shirts and valet parking spaces. We also invite you to any of the thousands of tracks around the world where Porsche owners compete each weekend.

Good luck with your race at Road Atlanta on June 21; we hope you enjoy the day.

Sincerely,

Detlev Von Platen President and CEO, Porsche Cars North America

MINI vs Porsche

The man in the picture is Jim McDowell, President of MINI USA and a former Porsche employee. In the video found below, Jim lays down a challenge to Porsche by daring them to race a Mini. Clearly a PR stunt and in line with MINI's aggressive marketing schemes deployed around the world since the car was launched back in 2001.

Jim and MINI have proposed a date for the showdown which will take place on 21st of June (Midsummers Day). The weapons for this duel? A Mini Cooper S and a Porsche 911. The place? Road Atlanta, a purpose-built 4km long track close to Porsche USA's headquarters.

Now get this - Porsche seem very interested to take up the challenge. Steve Janisse, Porsche’s Media Relations Manager has said that, “Porsche has the most racing victories of any manufacturer out there – 28,000 and counting – maybe we should go for 28,001.”

It is interesting to note that Road Atlanta has 12 turns, including the famous "esses" between turns three and five; and Turn 12, a downhill, diving turn.


Should be a pretty awesome grudge match.

Game on!

Theres more info available over at facebook.com/MINIUSA.

[Source: Ausmotive via Jalopnik via Kilometer Magazine]