Probably not on the track but they're definitely sitting P1 in the grassroots marketing grid. You see, a little over a week ago, Mini USA CEO Jim McDowell (a former Porsche employee no less) publicly challenged Porsche to a race at Road Atlanta on the 21st of this month. The winner would get bragging rights, a cool T-Shirt (see the video below and you'll get an idea for the flavor of this challenge) and some great press.
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Porsche declined the challenge and did so with an open letter to Mini
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
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
Mini doesn't give up
In a move destined for the automotive marketing hall of fame, Mini responded to Detlev's letter by hiring a plane to fly laps around Porsche's headquarter with a banner taunting the racing giant.
To prove they were "serious", Mini issued a second challenge. This time upping the stakes even higher...
Right now it's Two to Zero and Mini is winning
The fact is, there really are no losers in this type of campaign. It's fun, it get's the public involved and it's good PR for both companies. Let's hope that Porsche comes up with a creative response to keep things going.
The gauntlet has been thrown down. Will Porsche accept?
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[Source: Youtube, Jalopnik, PCNA]
[Photocredit: Snufflesquare]
Detlev Von Platen’s reply was pretty classy. It was a calm and collective jab.
(Maybe he should cordially invite the Mini for a lap at the Nurburgring.)
I am glad to see someone mentioning that there are “no losers” here. the Porsche response was kind of a bummer but I feel like they can still get in there and mix it up and save their image a bit.
Porsche could even change the rules a bit and donate to charity or hire a d-list celebrity to drive.
In other words HAVE FUN!
This was kind of cute at first, and the airplane thing was pretty ballsy. But now Mini looks like it’s flailing. Might backfire on Mini maybe. Porsche needs to beat the pants off of em. If you agree sign here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-go-to-Road-Atlanta-and-shut-Mini-up/131010103593070
This is just hilarious
. Apart from the publicity stunts, I dont know how Mini’s CEO thinks a mini can beet a 911. Talk about messing with the giants 
Please keep us updated!
Pretty sure it has nothing to do with actually racing on the track at Road Atlanta…
Besides showing the Porsche has a sense of humor, what do they have to gain by participating?
@Dave,
You bring up a good point. Porsche has a lot to lose if they don’t approach this correctly while Mini has everything to gain. However, right now, both are receiving positive PR from Mini’s efforts. I’m just wondering if Porsche continues to stay mum, does that start to look bad? Or, does it take the “fight” out of Mini?
Having owned both–and having enjoyed the “cute” You Tube videos from Mini–it seems to have run out of steam. I have laughed and enjoyed it.
Like Porsche has said: Hey Mini, see you at a real race.
Porsche should accept the challenge and use a old 356 and it would probably beat the new mini.
@George, as much as it hurts me to say this. I dont think a 356 can beat a modern cooper S. Perhaps a 550 Spyder on a very tight course!
Its over for mini
http://www.worldcarfans.com/110062226946/mini-loses-race-against-porsche-911-in-pr-challenge-video