Mini Challenges Porsche to a Race at Road Atlanta
right, but, uh...the carrera s is 90k and up, so...why would the "masses" that can only afford a 20k mini even care if it's faster than a 90k porsche?? they're not cross-shopped, what's the point? ... ok the whole thing is just stupid. it's gotta be a joke, i mean i get marketing and all but it won't even be CLOSE to a good race! at least try the non-s carerra or something. it's just dumb. dumb dumb mini
right, but, uh...the carrera s is 90k and up, so...why would the "masses" that can only afford a 20k mini even care if it's faster than a 90k porsche?? they're not cross-shopped, what's the point? ... ok the whole thing is just stupid. it's gotta be a joke, i mean i get marketing and all but it won't even be CLOSE to a good race! at least try the non-s carerra or something. it's just dumb. dumb dumb mini
"Hey you know I have been looking for something sporty with decent gas mileage, let's go test drive one"
IIRC you are allowed to test drive a Mini Cooper with no hassle or questions. (obviously you need a license)
^ yeah i understand how marketing works, doesn't mean i think it's GOOD marketing. personally i just think it's a stupid marketing gimic. the point is it will get beat so badly that it won't LOOK sporty. you won't leave that race saying man, that mini was fast; you'll just say man, that porsche was fast. so if this was a comparo race against mini's actual competitor cars, then it would show me that it is faster, it does handle better, and it has great gas mileage.
just my humble opinion
just my humble opinion
I definitely see what you're saying. The cooper s accelerates slower than the 8. How will that look next to the porsche? I'm definitely wondering if there is some catch or if they're assuming porsche wont show up or what. This could very easily come off as childish on mini's part depending on how the respond, though I'd hope they've planned this out well.
I definitely see what you're saying. The cooper s accelerates slower than the 8. How will that look next to the porsche? I'm definitely wondering if there is some catch or if they're assuming porsche wont show up or what. This could very easily come off as childish on mini's part depending on how the respond, though I'd hope they've planned this out well.
i kinda like mini's, so i'm hoping there's a fun twist to this.
Spin Triangles! Spin!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Texas, US
Maybe the plan is to reveal a 'new' mini version, like a super mini! 300 hp 315 lb/tq AWD.
________
Avandia lawsuit information
________
Avandia lawsuit information
Last edited by dmorales; Sep 9, 2011 at 03:58 AM.
That would be quite a reveal, though it would mean that their little poster thing was a little misleading. If they were going to do something like that, they should have simply said "stock mini cooper s vs stock 911 carrera S". Then they could pull something like "we never said our current model".
Rotards Unite!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Morris County, NJ
This should be like watching one of those Siberian Tigers in China rip apart one of those goats they feed them. Should be an absolute mauling...
Anyone want to place wagers on the time difference that there would be? Road Atlanta has some VERY fast sections of track, where power makes a BIG difference.
Anyone want to place wagers on the time difference that there would be? Road Atlanta has some VERY fast sections of track, where power makes a BIG difference.
Thread Starter
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 21,958
Likes: 115
From: portland oregon
DENIED!!! Porsche says "NO RACE FOR YOU!"
Autoblog is also reporting that they heard that Mini was preparing something to be in the paddock and not actually out on the track- seems Mini had an Autocross up its sleeve
It'll be interesting to see if Mini still holds something that day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh3A1...layer_embedded
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 see video below
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
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 see video below
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
Autoblog is also reporting that they heard that Mini was preparing something to be in the paddock and not actually out on the track- seems Mini had an Autocross up its sleeve
It'll be interesting to see if Mini still holds something that day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh3A1...layer_embedded
Wow, that's quite a response. Definitely looking forward to mini's response to this.
edit: just searched to see what people were saying about it... someone on TTAC had the perfect idea for the shirt in response to this: "I tried to race Porsche but all I got was this T-Shirt"
edit: just searched to see what people were saying about it... someone on TTAC had the perfect idea for the shirt in response to this: "I tried to race Porsche but all I got was this T-Shirt"
Last edited by 8 Maniac; Jun 11, 2010 at 11:29 AM.
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,036
Likes: 5
From: Colorado
^+1 these is nothing of substance in this. No stock Mini has a snowball's chance in hell of winning this contest unless it's on a AutoX course. And noting that Porsche has declined in the kindest of ways possible without laughing.
#50
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,521
Likes: 11
From: Caput Mundi
AutoX and gymkhana (how we call it here) are skill games, like solving puzzles or problem solving. Of course there's driving skills involved but:
Speed is very limited,
You really can't pick up "lines" while turning.
You're alone (wtf?) so no passing, no late braking, trailbraking, fighting for a position or in race strategy.
This makes autoX a fun weekend game against real racing where you actually have to balance the risks you take. Hitting a cone is different than hitting a car while braking or jamming on a kerb and kissing a wall!
I agree with your points...just stating that it is still a competition between vehicles and drivers where speed through a course is the measured score...and you don't get much chance to learn the course ahead of time
I respect both for what they are.
I respect both for what they are.
#50
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 7,521
Likes: 11
From: Caput Mundi
I don't disrespect autoX, maybe you got me wrong
I actually appreciate who has the patience to do that kind of driving but racing usually involves more vehicles on a course at the same time. That's what porsche is good at, in the end.
Porsche builds race cars (as well as some commercial models) that are studied to drive fast around a course, Mini produces a high powered hot hatch that needs a bunch of upgrades to stay on track and be competitive (personal experience in spa-francorchamps).
Anyway it's all down to marketing and rumors n the end!
I actually appreciate who has the patience to do that kind of driving but racing usually involves more vehicles on a course at the same time. That's what porsche is good at, in the end.
Porsche builds race cars (as well as some commercial models) that are studied to drive fast around a course, Mini produces a high powered hot hatch that needs a bunch of upgrades to stay on track and be competitive (personal experience in spa-francorchamps).
Anyway it's all down to marketing and rumors n the end!