Advertisement

Porsche Politely Refuses To Take MINI's Challenge Bait

 
4 8,856 views Jun 10, 2010
Follow Nelson

MINI Challenges Porsche 911 To Race Against Cooper S

MINI Challenges Porsche 911 To Race Against Cooper S

Enlarge Photo

Related Photo Galleries


See more photos »

MINI's mental challenge to Porsche, pitting a Cooper S against a 911 Carrera S around Road Atlanta, won't be happening. Porsche politely turned down the challenge, and actually put it back on MINI to enter a car at Sebring, Le Mans, Daytona or any other sanctioned race, where there's more on the line than "T-Shirts and valet parking spaces."

The news comes to us straight from Detlev Von Platen, president and CEO of Porsche's North American operations. The missive itself takes a genial tone to the whole affair, even relating Porsche's own history to MINI's current position of calling out giants.


In the note, Von Platen explains why Porsche's not engaging in the duel: "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." Von Platen links to the video below to further explain Porsche's reason for racing.

The outcome is as we'd predicted it: Porsche has everything to lose and nothing to gain from racing the MINI--but we salute MINI for having the courage to make the challenge in the first place.

Hit page two to see Von Platen's full response to Jim McDowell's challenge.

[Porsche]






Tags:
Posted in:
 
 

Have an opinion?

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (4)

  1. Zachariah Granville Posted: 6/10/2010 5:40pm PDT

    Did MINI think that it could win this challenge? I smell another great episode of Top Gear.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. Simon Jones Posted: 6/11/2010 6:57am PDT

    How would a bloated FWD girlymobile have any chance against a 911?! The mind boggles. An original Cooper S on a twisty track, now that's another matter!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. fb_100001083165834 avatar Kevin Blyleven Posted: 6/14/2010 1:08pm PDT

    I dig it from a marketing perspective and what I really love is that it is FUN. No cool shots of cool dudes in cool cars with hot chicks. I love that Mini will go oldschool too like the plane flying over Porsche headquarters. Great stunt.
    http://jalopnik.com/5562928/mini-launches-air-raid-on-porsche-headquarters
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. billie Posted: 6/15/2010 4:13pm PDT

    enough is enough. porsche quit playing w/ your food and eat it!
    sign up here if you agree!
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-go-to-Road-Atlanta-and-shut-Mini-up/131010103593070
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

Advertisement
Get great deals on the 2012 Porsche 911!
By clicking above, you agree that your data will be subject to our Car Quotes Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Advertisement

Research New Cars

Go!

Related Used Listings

Browse used listings in your area.
Listings Powered by

More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2013 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.