Mini Challenges Porsche to race at Road Atlanta

[MeFryRice]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/08/mini-challenges-porsche-to-race-at-road-atlanta-w-video/

Here's something unexpected. Mini USA has announced it's challenging Porsche to a formal race, where the go-kart-like Cooper S will take on the infamous 911 Carrera S. This may seem like a far stretch, seeing as how the Cooper is down on power by over 200 horses, but Mini is confident that its more nimble, lighter hatch can out-maneuver the big 911 on the track.

This certainly isn't the first automaker challenge we've heard of this year, and we're hoping Porsche steps up to the plate. The event will take place on June 21 (that's in two weeks!) at Road Atlanta, which as Mini points out, is right around the corner from Porsche's North American headquarters.

In the video found after the jump, Mini USA's president, Jim McDowell (a former Porsche executive, we might add), explains the whole deal, and says that if his team loses, he'll wear a shirt that reads "We did not beat Porsche" at his next public appearance. Likewise, he has a "We beat Porsche" shirt prepped for the same occasion. Mini will be hosting a live video of the event on their Facebook page, as well as more information about the event. Will Porsche send out a 911 for the challenge? We certainly hope so. Let the games begin.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/mini-porsche-00.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/mini-porsche-02.jpg

[Bernie]

I got $5 on the 911

[bovaco]

:boxing:Let's get ready to RUMMMMBLLLLEEEEE!!!!!!!!:boxing:

[Sawyer]

Wow, so who wants to go?

[wildfire0310]

Wow, so who wants to go?

I do I do :D Hopefully since they have "set a date" and all that Porsche has already agreed. Also hoping they don't charge $50 a ticket to go watch

[theothersawyer]

I wanna go!!!!

[Cool Cat Racing]

At RA I'm going to have to side on the Porsche. Some tracks I think the Mini has its advantages but I don't think he'd make that challenge if he hadn't looked at lap times already.

[Bernie]

Surprise everyone! Stig is driving the Mini, and I'll be driving the Porsche... :lol: Just call me the fat American cousin from now on!

[jester911]

So are both cars going to be stock? On street tires?

[MeFryRice]

So are both cars going to be stock? On street tires?

I'm going to assume so.

I want to go watch although I'm not sure if it's going to be open to the public.

[jester911]

I would consider RA a horsepower favored track. I would think the Porsche to be faster there. It will be interesting to see if Porsche responds. Truthfully what do they have to gain from beating a Mini?

[Bernie]

Somebody fire up Forza and see what the times are like... computer model that beeoch

[Dr.Drew]

Pastel Sweaters draped over their shoulders. :lol:

[shadow102]

i want to say GRM or somebody did a lotus (possibly even exige) vs the cayman at RA and the cayman had the better lap times just due to sheer HP advantage...which basically means the mini is going to get killed because the lotus is a much better all around car than the mini.

[caseyfoster]

I could care less who makes it around the track faster, Ill take the porsche.

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

I mean with all reasoning you think the Porsche, even to the point where it seems like a dumb thing for Mini to even challenge but then you think they've gotta have something up their sleeve to do this.

[metalman]

How many laps? Who is driving? What trim/tires etc?
Several factors go into this. I love an underdog. :D

Just a random for-fun note or two...

A race prepped Cayman S at the Mitty ran a 1:35
Pombo in an MX5 cup car ran 1:40.....and we know what turd buckets those are. :lol:
I think the Pombo bros hold the record in ASM and SM at about 1:42 in stupid Miatas. :D
I think the ITA class record there is 1:42 something as well.
Last I knew anyway.

[FooSchnickens]

Man, those two hills after turn 1 and before the carousel are gonna kill the mini. Their only hope is to gain and keep as much momentum as they can on the downhill runs. Best lap time for a Cooper S I can find is 1:45, and that's in SSB so it's not in completely stock trim (airbags, radio, AC, exhaust, etc).

[Doppelgänger]

So it seems that MINI hired a small airplane to tow a banner around Porsche's headquarters (about 1/2 mile away from my building) saying "Bring it on. -MINI"

:lol:

[JennB]

Crap, wonder if I can see it from the house. I need to get a pic of that. I'm at home, btw, I have a terrible headache and may just work here today.

[jester911]

I am on a PCA email list and I have it through those sources that Porsche declined last week.

From their standpoint where is the upside. Beating a Mini would not help them in the least and losing could only hurt.

[Dr.Drew]

I see it this way. Lets say the $90K Porsche runs a 1:35 and the $25K Mini runs a 1:42.

Mini can now say "95% of the performance for 1/5 the price!"

It's just like Jester said, what can Porsche say? For $65K you can be 7 seconds faster than a Mini.

[Adrian]

Getting on Forza now.... lol

[Dr.Drew]

Getting on Forza now.... lol

Independent research, good call.

[MeFryRice]

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/10/followup-porsche-turns-down-mini-challenge-at-road-atlanta-w-v/

Porsche (http://www.autoblog.com/make/porsche/) has officially put the sad trombone treatment on a challenge Mini issued (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/08/mini-challenges-porsche-to-race-at-road-atlanta-w-video/) to the Stuttgart-based sportscar manufacturer. As you may recall, Mini (http://www.autoblog.com/make/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 (http://www.autoblog.com/model/cooper) while Porsche would bring along its own 911 Carrera S (http://www.autoblog.com/model/911) 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 (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/10/followup-porsche-turns-down-mini-challenge-at-road-atlanta-w-v/) 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 (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/19/cadillac-cts-v-challenge-nets-120-applicants-heinricy-to-stand/)? Over to you, Mr. McDowell.

[Adrian]

OOOo0o0o0o0o0 They're gonna need some Aloe for that BURN!

Zinggg!!!

[jester911]

That is pretty much the response I expected.

[Doppelgänger]

The plane is back out doing circles around Porsche HQ.
I'm guessing that MINI got Porsche's reply...and is taunting them even more :lol:

BTW it says-
"Dear Porsche
BRING IT
Love MINI"

[Doppelgänger]

Sorry for the "watermark" but I plan on submitting it to autoblog

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4700475728_3895d1938b_b.jpg

[jester911]

I am sure that is giving them a good laugh.

[Doppelgänger]

Video reply to Porsche from MINI...

IhYmv0yySaY&

[RotorNutFD3S]

OOOo0o0o0o0o0 They're gonna need some Aloe for that BURN!

Zinggg!!!

Eh, not so much, it could have been a good opportunity to showcase both platforms while having some fun. Those cars are really in two different markets, if Porsche had lost I don't think it would really affect anything in the long run. Just my 2 pennies.

[Dr.Drew]

It's reaching a point where Mini needs to get the hint though. Sure, offering some Justin Beiber tickets is a sweet deal but they're turning into a nagging little brother.

[MeFryRice]

It's reaching a point where Mini needs to get the hint though. Sure, offering some Justin Beiber tickets is a sweet deal but they're turning into a nagging little brother.

It's all fun and games and no one is getting hurt - unless you include one's feelings. :lol:

[Doppelgänger]

I think it's halarious.
Watching the shirt change constantly in the video had me rofl-ing.

[Dr.Drew]

It's all fun and games and no one is getting hurt - unless you include one's feelings. :lol:

True, but the last thing you wanna be is Duckie from Pretty in Pink

[jester911]

If they aren't even racing on the actual road coarse it is a bit of a joke anyway. As far as it hurting Porsche if they lost. No not really but with no real gain other than some amusement is not going to entice them either.

I was actually liking the idea until they said it would be in the paddock. That could hardly be considered a race.

[Adrian]

I like what mini is doing.... and I don't get why porsche wouldn't want to do this, because judging from my extensive scientific analysis and comparison of the two said cars, the data from my driving simulation shows that the Porsche would be at least a good 5 or 6 seconds faster, with a mediocre driver driving both cars with all assists on and only two fulls laps each. I also consider myself an expert on this as I did like 16 laps around Road Atlanta like a year ago IRL.

oh... and this is only if they race on the actual track itself. the paddock is a whole different story.


But on a more serious note, I see this as a lose lose situation for Porsche... if they win by only like 5 seconds, which they will win undoubtedly, then they still lose (who would figure a car 4 times the price would be a whole 5 seconds faster......lol) and if they don't accept the challenge, they're just no fun.

[Dr.Drew]

I also think Porsche's response was a little weak. They challenge them to Le Manns but Porsche couldn't be bothered to bring the Spyders out this year.

But even the Spyders are a little weak. Porsche has one more Le Manns than any other marque but they're competing in that LMP2 BS with all the Lola's.

[jester911]

After finding out the event isn't on an actual racetrack I think the Mini challenge is weak.

[Doppelgänger]

The Spyders are already out :dunno:

I think anyone who had half a brain would see the funny in all of this. Reading the comments on Jalopnik/Autoblog...too many people are taking this way too serious. It's just like when Top Gear does some crazy, one-sided test.... it's still entertaining. Neither company "loses" anything really.

[Dr.Drew]

The Spyders are already out :dunno:

They're supposed to be at the ALMS stuff. But not Le Manns itself.

[FooSchnickens]

Crap, wonder if I can see it from the house. I need to get a pic of that. I'm at home, btw, I have a terrible headache and may just work here today.
Ugh, you too? I woke up nauseous and with the sunlight screaming at me. ******* hate migraines.

[MeFryRice]

Recently on Autoblog...

We'll be honest – we were rather excited to see how a race between a Mini Cooper S (http://autoblog.com/model/cooper) and Porsche 911 Carrera S (http://autoblog.com/model/911) would go down. After Mini initially challenged Porsche (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/08/mini-challenges-porsche-to-race-at-road-atlanta-w-video/) to a trackday showdown at Road Atlanta on June 21, Porsche declined (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/10/followup-porsche-turns-down-mini-challenge-at-road-atlanta-w-v/), saying that it will "stick to racing the way we have over the decades," and welcomed Mini to attend any sanctioned race where "there is more at stake than t-shirts and valet parking spaces."

Mini has had a very impressive response to this challenge, and isn't giving up. Mini USA boss Jim McDowell has issued yet another message to Porsche Cars North America CEO Detlev Von Platen saying that they're willing to raise the stakes, offering prizes such as Justin Bieber (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Bieber) concert tickets (including backstage passes!), a lifetime membership to the Salami Of The Month club or even a (slightly used) home gym, among other things. Excellent.

We love Mini's enthusiasm over this whole event, and as we understand, Mini is even flying a banner plane over Porsche's Atlanta, Georgia headquarters with the message "Dear Porsche, Bring it. Love, Mini." Seriously. You can keep up with the whole back-and-forth on Mini USA's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#%21/MINIUSA?v=app_122731241101196&ref=ts). In any case, with only one week until the supposed race day, we hope Porsche will saddle up for this duel, even though Mini hasn't specified what the Road Atlanta challenge(s) will be (it could be an egg-carrying race for all we know) and Stuttgart really doesn't appear to have much to gain by picking on the little kid. Top tip, Brett!

[Adrian]

I think it's genius marketing on Mini's part

[MeFryRice]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/gene-mini-630-cap-2.jpg


Mini (http://www.autoblog.com/make/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 (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/hyundai-wins-advertising-age-marketer-of-the-year-award/), Hyundai (http://www.autoblog.com/make/hyundai/) is showing real pluck. Need more proof? The boys from Korea have just stepped up to stand in for Porsche (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/10/followup-porsche-turns-down-mini-challenge-at-road-atlanta-w-v/), offering to take on Mini at its Road Atlanta Challenge (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/08/mini-challenges-porsche-to-race-at-road-atlanta-w-video/).

287diggsdigg In a smack-talk-tastic video response they've released to Mini USA head Jim McDowell (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/14/video-mini-responds-to-porsche-still-ready-to-race/), Hyundai says they're eager to bring their Genesis Coupe (http://www.autoblog.com/model/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 (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/video-rhys-millens-red-bull-hyundai-genesis-pm580-sounds-like/), 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 (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/videos-hyundais-super-bowl-ads-have-arrived/). 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 (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/video-hyundai-steps-in-for-porsche-offers-to-take-on-mini-at-r/#continued) and stay tuned, everyone... this just got interesting.

[MeFryRice]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/06/minicourse630.jpg

Last we checked, Road Atlanta was a famed professional 2.54-mile racetrack, not an oversized autocross layout on a training skidpad. Somebody may need to remind Mini USA (http://www.autoblog.com/make/mini/), as the maker of famously small cars has just announced the "track" (their word, not ours) for its overly-publicized "Rumble on the Racetrack (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/08/mini-challenges-porsche-to-race-at-road-atlanta-w-video/)" (their title, not ours) challenge pitting the Mini Cooper S (http://www.autoblog.com/model/cooper) against the race-bred Porsche 911 Carrera S (http://www.autoblog.com/model/911).

While Mini promises "No tricks. No gimmicks. No jokes" in its latest Facebook post (http://www.facebook.com/MINIUSA?v=app_122731241101196&ref=ts#%21/MINIUSA?v=app_122731241101196), the map of the so-called challenge track autocross is nothing more than a few hundred cones dropped on the "School Course & Training Area" located in the infield of Road Atlanta by turns 6 and 7 (this is hardly the same asphalt that hosts cars like the Corvette C6.R, Porsche RS Spyder, Ferrari 430GT and Audi R10 TDI at the Petit Le Mans).

With the big shindig scheduled for Monday (with or without an official Porsche (http://www.autoblog.com/make/porsche/) showing), this event has gone from entertaining to mildly disappointing. We don't need to explain to any of our readers that a Mini Cooper S is as comfortable on a loop-de-doo autocross course as Porsche is, well... on the winner's podium at Road Atlanta.

Mini has yet to answer the challenge from Hyundai (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/video-hyundai-steps-in-for-porsche-offers-to-take-on-mini-at-r/) (the Koreans were kind enough to offer to take Porsche's vacant spot on the grid), but they had better get on it. With a track autocross this tight, they should be expecting a call from Smart (http://www.autoblog.com/make/smart/) first thing Monday morning.

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

I love these kinda campaigns. :banana:

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

Actually, that's disappointing from Mini, we all thought it was too good to be true for it to be proper.

[JennB]

I lost a lot of interest once seeing it was just AutoX. I have a spot there waiting for me ot watch if I want but I don't know if I'll drive out there for that. But, good marketing and it was still funny. I love MINIs.

[carfiend]

Yeah we got an invite when we picked up our Mini this weekend. I doubt that we'll be venturing down. Although they did say there was food, and other misc. stuff going on too.

[JennB]

I was tempted to go just for the party. A pretty large group from AtlantaMINIs will be there and they are a nice group of people.

[MeFryRice]

Yeah we got an invite when we picked up our Mini this weekend. I doubt that we'll be venturing down. Although they did say there was food, and other misc. stuff going on too.

I just realized that you traded both the Solara and Matrix for new toys. :)

[carfiend]

yeah we traded everything around. I'm not looking forward to getting rid of the miata but the Mini is definitely a fun substitute and the G37 just puts the Matrix to shame in every category which is expected.

[sharkythesharkdogg]

I think MINI won't respond to Hyundai because it'd look just as bad as Porsche loosing to MINI. Hypocrites!!!

[jzilla]

Dear Mini, I would love to take on your challenge. But I don't drive a Porsche and if I can afford the maintenance on a mini, I would probably have one and you would probably have a Porsche if you can afford it. I would like to enter my 11 year old Mazda Miata with a whopping 140hp. I think I qualify because I do get the primo parking spaces with the Porsches, if your brakes did not cost 800 bucks to replace and you did not have to take the engine out everytime you need to work on it, you may have 20 bucks to spot the valet to get that spot. As far as the cardigans, I'm not so sure of what to say about that.

[MeFryRice]

I see that Porsche has accepted Mini's challenge. :)

[Dr.Drew]

Link? Sorry I'm on my phone.

[RotorNutFD3S]

This is all I've seen today:

http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/jpg/201006/mini-to-bring-a-porsw.jpg

[MeFryRice]

Porsche Won!!!

[RotorNutFD3S]

Links? Proof? Give us something here...

[theothersawyer]

I guess that backfired a little bit! Good job Mini for making yourself look awful

[theothersawyer]

Mini USA's facebook status:
MINI USA

It was a close race folks, but the winner was....
PORSCHE! Stay tuned for footage of this amazing race.

[Animus21]

When the weak nerdy kid calls out and taunts the athletic jackass on the playground, the same thing always happens.

[Doppelgänger]

Some of you are missing the point of the "race" ;)

MINI still "won".

[Doppelgänger]

You see, MINI isn't about the race, it's about the buzz and the laughs. If you're irritated/offended/disappointed, then MINI is not advertising toward you anyway. If you see the humor, then you're the one they want.

Here are some examples of MINI's advertising...

http://otbthink.com/otblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/uad12.jpg

http://www.toxel.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/24cads1.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/137424119_3f9eb6199e_o.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4pmUNQE7llI/SnccmCP-RDI/AAAAAAAAJ6U/kq2mbLWYzmk/s400/cops.img_assist_custom.jpg

(yes, this is a MINI stuck to the side of the building)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__iU-qYIEbxo/S3vEBYXhs8I/AAAAAAAAAZI/pql8TxcZFjQ/s400/Wonderful+MINI+Cooper+Advertising+3.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__iU-qYIEbxo/S3vDn3L1NxI/AAAAAAAAAYU/A6umLGfD0-A/s400/Wonderful+MINI+Cooper+Advertising+6.jpg

http://images.picwa.com/drflower/New_Zealand/Auckland/Mini_Advert.3470.640x480.jpg

http://www.funnymos.com/funny-pictures/guerrillaads/mini.jpg

http://chrisescars.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/mini_boxes.jpg

http://chrisescars.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/mini-cooper-jail.jpg

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

Freaking awesome advertising campaigns. They rock.

[JennB]

I saw this one in Columbus, OH a few years ago. Yes, real MINI

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/20/69128307_4345249920_b.jpg

[ben91]

Not even close

YouTube- Mini Cooper vs. Porsche 911 at Road Atlanta

[FooSchnickens]

That's more or less how I expected MINI to bill their "loss". On a small cone course like that the time difference is going to be minimal. Doesn't matter if your pitting an AMC Pacer agianst a Gallardo, you're only going to see a couple second difference when competent drivers are behind the wheel.

[carfiend]

I dont understand the $38,000 per second. Is a standard porsche 911 $76,000 more than a Mini? I thought the base carrerra/911 whatever started at like 6?K something.

[jester911]

A base model Carrera is 77,800 MSRP according to their website.

http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-carrera/

[Dr.Drew]

I liked the idea, I'm even happy they did it. But I am disappointed in Mini for not letting Hyundai come.

[carfiend]

I think Ford should have jumped in with the Fiesta and i'm actually surprised they didn't.

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

I dont understand the $38,000 per second. Is a standard porsche 911 $76,000 more than a Mini? I thought the base carrerra/911 whatever started at like 6?K something.

I bet the $/second probably would look kinda similar to Mini's if they'd done the road track. Glad it went through, they got hammered though.

[Echonova]

How much did Mini pay to get Joe Rogan to do the announcing?

LOL

[Echonova]

I swear I've seen an add campaign like this before...


http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x249/Echonova1/135b745a.jpg