Mini challenges Porsche to Road Atlanta showdown, again!

For car company Mini, the sky is the limit. Mini hired an airplane to tow a banner over Porsche’s North American headquarters in Atlanta on Monday morning.

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. "We were pretty surprised to see it," said Steve Janisse, director of media relations for Porsche, whose office is located in the building.

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.
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dlin - 6/16/2010 10:50:29 AM

+1 Boost

I'd rather see MINI against 1 series.

AgentOrange - 6/16/2010 11:41:00 AM

+1 Boost

Well, the 1-series beat the Porsche Cayman (see url below), so I expect it would do equally well against the Mini:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE8PiGmSC8I&feature=PlayList&p=C054C8A7ECC2FCB2&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=3

speed123 - 6/16/2010 12:54:24 PM

+2 Boost

Maybe Porsche is gun shy after getting beat by Nissans.

quizz - 6/16/2010 1:00:33 PM

+3 Boost

Nothing is gained by Porsche if it accepts this challenge.
1. If Porsche wins, it's no big thing. What? Start advertising that you beat a Mini? Good god, how embarassing.
2. If Porsche ties because it's on a short course with lots of turns (the Mini's strength) and no sweeping straights to allow the engine to stretch, that would make the Porsche look stupid.
3. If Porsche loses because the course is made to maximize the Mini's fuel efficiency (Say a 400 mile course where Mini does not have to refuel to finish the course but Porsche has to refuel once)

How is this race even beneficial to Porsche? Worse yet, it's giving Mini free publicity. HELL, they are getting free publicity now just because Porsche has not responded.

Would Mini accept the same challenge if posed by a small Chinese car maker?

PrizeFighter - 6/16/2010 2:00:54 PM

+2 Boost

this back and forth is too much. the airplane thing was funny though. time for Porsche to say ENUFF ALREADY and then go ahead and win the thing. can't see a way in hell Mini wins.

saw this on FB. give Porsche a little nudge - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-go-to-Road-Atlanta-and-shut-Mini-up/131010103593070?ref=t

MeanVulcan - 6/16/2010 3:15:01 PM

-4 Boost

all this hype will soon be forgotten, and the looser will be Mini- they showed us what their tactics are all about. THey have no business challenging Porsche, which is eons above them. This stunt will only attract the type of crowd Porsche does not want anyway.

Thanks Mini/BMW, for revealing your true self. Not a surprise, but I suppose when you are desperate for sales due to pressure from the competition you do desperate things.

Lexus - 6/16/2010 11:55:20 PM

+2 Boost

This is plain Stupid that Mini challegening Porsche. That is like Hyundai make a sportscar and than calling out Ferrari, Lambo and Buggati Veyron. Yeah right.

Two different brand, two different audience. And I don't even like Porsche, I just like to give Credit where Credit is due. Porsche has been the sportscar bench for so long and still make some of the best sportscar out there.