Followup: Porsche turns down Mini challenge at Road Atlanta [w/video]
#1
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Followup: Porsche turns down Mini challenge at Road Atlanta [w/video]
![](http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/cooper-v--porsche-630-1276194975.jpg)
Porsche has officially put the sad trombone treatment on a challenge Mini issued to the Stuttgart-based sportscar manufacturer. As you may recall, Mini USA head honcho (and former Porsche employee) Jim McDowell called out Porsche exec Detlev Von Platen in a hilarious video made just for Facebook. While the rules of the throwdown were a little vague, we did know that the Mini crew would be rocking a Cooper S while Porsche would bring along its own 911 Carrera S at some sort of battle royale to be held at Road Atlanta.
Since McDowell threw down the gauntlet, we have heard that the competition was going to be held in the track's paddock, not out on the actual tarmac, so who knows what Mini had up its sleeves. Either way, it doesn't matter much now. Von Platen has responded in an open letter to McDowel saying:
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.
Sick. Burn.
Porsche has also pointed Mini to a particular advertisement as a reminder of the company's intent. Click past the jump to see both the video and read the full letter for yourself.
With Porsche turning the invitation down, we have to wonder, will Mini still put on some sort of event, perhaps inviting privateers with Porsches of their own in a move not unlike General Motors' Cadillac CTS-V Challenge? Over to you, Mr. McDowell.
Video: Racing Not Posing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh3A1...layer_embedded
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/10/f...d-atlanta-w-v/
#2
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Before, Mini had everything to gain and nothing to lose by challenging Porsche. Now, Hyundai has everything to gain and nothing to lose by challenging Mini. ![Ohyeah](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/OhYeah.gif)
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/v...t-r/#continued
Mini can safely be considered the 800-pound gorilla of viral marketing in the automotive sector, but fresh from its big showing this year with its Assurance program and successful Super Bowl appearances, Hyundai is showing real pluck. Need more proof? The boys from Korea have just stepped up to stand in for Porsche, offering to take on Mini at its Road Atlanta Challenge.
In a smack-talk-tastic video response they've released to Mini USA head Jim McDowell, Hyundai says they're eager to bring their Genesis Coupe to Hotlanta raceway next month. What about Mini's planned June 21 event? Seems Hyundai race driver Rhys Millen is a bit busy getting ready to climb a certain mountain, so Hyundai is challenging Mini to a race in July.
As Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore tells Autoblog, "Since we launched the Genesis Coupe, we've always said that we'll take on all-comers when it comes to comparison tests. And we've had some experience on the race track at Road Atlanta. We'd be happy to meet Mini on the race track."
To step in and offer to take a punch for someone you don't really even consider a buddy (read: Porsche) is either bold or downright crazy – or more than likely, some glorious combination of the two – but either way, it takes serious cojones. Will Mini step up to the challenge? Better still, might there be a three-way battle royale? Check out the video after the jump and stay tuned, everyone... this just got interesting.
![Ohyeah](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/OhYeah.gif)
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/v...t-r/#continued
Mini can safely be considered the 800-pound gorilla of viral marketing in the automotive sector, but fresh from its big showing this year with its Assurance program and successful Super Bowl appearances, Hyundai is showing real pluck. Need more proof? The boys from Korea have just stepped up to stand in for Porsche, offering to take on Mini at its Road Atlanta Challenge.
In a smack-talk-tastic video response they've released to Mini USA head Jim McDowell, Hyundai says they're eager to bring their Genesis Coupe to Hotlanta raceway next month. What about Mini's planned June 21 event? Seems Hyundai race driver Rhys Millen is a bit busy getting ready to climb a certain mountain, so Hyundai is challenging Mini to a race in July.
As Hyundai spokesman Dan Bedore tells Autoblog, "Since we launched the Genesis Coupe, we've always said that we'll take on all-comers when it comes to comparison tests. And we've had some experience on the race track at Road Atlanta. We'd be happy to meet Mini on the race track."
To step in and offer to take a punch for someone you don't really even consider a buddy (read: Porsche) is either bold or downright crazy – or more than likely, some glorious combination of the two – but either way, it takes serious cojones. Will Mini step up to the challenge? Better still, might there be a three-way battle royale? Check out the video after the jump and stay tuned, everyone... this just got interesting.
#5
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Yeah at first I was interested but Mini made an autocross course, its not running at RA...big difference..a smaller, lighter car should win an autocross....
![](https://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs109.snc4/35836_403813993220_8285708220_4157546_4530490_n.jpg)
Its actually here tomorrow and it seems all sorts of people are driving up to see it. I wonder will any 911 drivers come as Porsche clubs hold many events at RA....
In Atlanta... MInd you Porsche N.A HQ is in North Atlanta.....I drive by it all the time.
http://www.ajc.com/news/mini-challen...to-548964.html
Courtesy of Global Imports Mini Mini hired an airplane to tow a banner over Porsche’s North American headquarters in Atlanta on Monday morning.
![](http://www.ajc.com/multimedia/dynamic/00617/mini-vs-porsche_617263c.jpg)
![](https://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs109.snc4/35836_403813993220_8285708220_4157546_4530490_n.jpg)
Its actually here tomorrow and it seems all sorts of people are driving up to see it. I wonder will any 911 drivers come as Porsche clubs hold many events at RA....
In Atlanta... MInd you Porsche N.A HQ is in North Atlanta.....I drive by it all the time.
http://www.ajc.com/news/mini-challen...to-548964.html
Courtesy of Global Imports Mini Mini hired an airplane to tow a banner over Porsche’s North American headquarters in Atlanta on Monday morning.
![](http://www.ajc.com/multimedia/dynamic/00617/mini-vs-porsche_617263c.jpg)
By Chelsea Cook
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For car company Mini, the sky is the limit.
In its second attempt to challenge Porsche to a race at Road Atlanta, Mini hired an airplane to tow a banner over Porsche’s North American headquarters in Atlanta on Monday morning.
The banner, which read, “Dear Porsche, Bring it! Love, MINI” flew over Porsche’s location on Hammond Drive.
Mini’s initial attempt, issued via video message on June 3, challenges Porsche to race its 911 Carrera S against the Mini Cooper S at Road Atlanta on June 21.
Road Atlanta is a motor sports facility located in Hall County. The facility has a 2.54 mile, 12 turn road course and hosts 320,000 visitors annually.
Mini's banner tactic was drawing a lot of attention to Mini USA's Facebook page. Amidst the hundreds of encouraging wall posts, three users posted their own photos of the spotted banner.
"We were pretty surprised to see it," said Steve Janisse, director of media relations for Porsche, whose office is located in the building.
Jim McDowell, president of Mini USA -- and formerly of Porsche -- addressed his opponent’s decline to race in a second video message. This time, he donned a T-shirt that read, “No one likes a no-show.”
Porsche president Detlev Von Platen declined Mini’s initial challenge in an e-mail to McDowell. The e-mail, which McDowell read in a video message this morning said, “Porsche does not race for fame, stunts and publicity.” Von Platen then invited Mini to come to one of his “sanctioned races where there is more at stake than T-shirts and valet parking spaces.”
So, McDowell upped the ante. He offered two Justin Beiber concert tickets and backstage passes, a membership to the salami-of-the-month club, a collection of cashmere sweaters and other tidbits of ridiculousness.
While Porsche is shrugging off the challenge as a publicity stunt, Mini said it is taking the race very seriously.
But Porsche isn’t budging.
“It’s a fun challenge, it’s lighthearted, but Porsche [races] to win on the race track and improve our cars on the road,” Janisse said.
Janisse repeated several sentiments in Von Platen’s e-mail, stating Porsche understood why Mini wanted the challenge.
“We know how they feel, we were the little guys once, too,” Janisse said.
"Of course we're the little guys!," said Rob Collini, e-commerce manager for Global Imports Mini. "They don't call us Mini for nothin'!"
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For car company Mini, the sky is the limit.
In its second attempt to challenge Porsche to a race at Road Atlanta, Mini hired an airplane to tow a banner over Porsche’s North American headquarters in Atlanta on Monday morning.
The banner, which read, “Dear Porsche, Bring it! Love, MINI” flew over Porsche’s location on Hammond Drive.
Mini’s initial attempt, issued via video message on June 3, challenges Porsche to race its 911 Carrera S against the Mini Cooper S at Road Atlanta on June 21.
Road Atlanta is a motor sports facility located in Hall County. The facility has a 2.54 mile, 12 turn road course and hosts 320,000 visitors annually.
Mini's banner tactic was drawing a lot of attention to Mini USA's Facebook page. Amidst the hundreds of encouraging wall posts, three users posted their own photos of the spotted banner.
"We were pretty surprised to see it," said Steve Janisse, director of media relations for Porsche, whose office is located in the building.
Jim McDowell, president of Mini USA -- and formerly of Porsche -- addressed his opponent’s decline to race in a second video message. This time, he donned a T-shirt that read, “No one likes a no-show.”
Porsche president Detlev Von Platen declined Mini’s initial challenge in an e-mail to McDowell. The e-mail, which McDowell read in a video message this morning said, “Porsche does not race for fame, stunts and publicity.” Von Platen then invited Mini to come to one of his “sanctioned races where there is more at stake than T-shirts and valet parking spaces.”
So, McDowell upped the ante. He offered two Justin Beiber concert tickets and backstage passes, a membership to the salami-of-the-month club, a collection of cashmere sweaters and other tidbits of ridiculousness.
While Porsche is shrugging off the challenge as a publicity stunt, Mini said it is taking the race very seriously.
But Porsche isn’t budging.
“It’s a fun challenge, it’s lighthearted, but Porsche [races] to win on the race track and improve our cars on the road,” Janisse said.
Janisse repeated several sentiments in Von Platen’s e-mail, stating Porsche understood why Mini wanted the challenge.
“We know how they feel, we were the little guys once, too,” Janisse said.
"Of course we're the little guys!," said Rob Collini, e-commerce manager for Global Imports Mini. "They don't call us Mini for nothin'!"
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#10
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In the over-hyped and ridiculous contrived "race" between the Mini Cooper and the Porsche 911, a victor has been crowned, and as you'd expect, the blokes from BMW had their bumpers handed to them.
Despite creating a "track" at the infield of Road Atlanta designed to maximize the Mini's potential and neuter the high-speed prowess of the Porsche, the Cooper still lost the battle by a full two seconds. Naturally, Mini likes to point out that the difference was $38,000 a second, but to anyone paying attention, the additional $76k is money well spent... particularly on a real track. Maybe Mini should've reconsidered Hyundai's offer...
Hit the jump for the race and two introductory videos, including a thoroughly comical explanation about why Mini opted for an autocross track and not the full course at Road Atlanta.
Despite creating a "track" at the infield of Road Atlanta designed to maximize the Mini's potential and neuter the high-speed prowess of the Porsche, the Cooper still lost the battle by a full two seconds. Naturally, Mini likes to point out that the difference was $38,000 a second, but to anyone paying attention, the additional $76k is money well spent... particularly on a real track. Maybe Mini should've reconsidered Hyundai's offer...
Hit the jump for the race and two introductory videos, including a thoroughly comical explanation about why Mini opted for an autocross track and not the full course at Road Atlanta.
#11
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So did a random Porsche owner show up and race or did Porsche actually step up to the plate?
Either way, Mini wins this. They get the publicity and they can say they're only 2 seconds slower than a 911 for almost $80k less.
Either way, Mini wins this. They get the publicity and they can say they're only 2 seconds slower than a 911 for almost $80k less.
#13
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