David vs. Goliath

[the Teuton]

For those of you who may not know -- and there is a timeline of videos for it -- MINI recently challenged Porsche to a race at Road Atlanta. It is scheduled for Monday.

http://www.facebook.com/MINIUSA#!/MINIUSA?v=app_122731241101196

They made a bunch of funny, taunting videos and letters to Porsche USA to get them to come out, but in the end, it looks like it will not happen. Supposedly, the race was to take place on the karting course on Road Atlanta's infield, decidedly evening the playing field, in my opinion. If Porsche does not sign on, as they likely won't, who knows what's gonna happen?

Enter some wild-ass start up from Korea to take the reigns and challenge the English legend to a duel:

http://jalopnik.com/5567323/hyundai-shoves-porsche-aside-challenges-mini-to-race

Yes, Hyundai just challenged MINI to a race, Genesis Coupe versus whatever Cooper S the GermaBrits want to throw at them. I'm finding the whole thing entertaining -- much more so than the whole "Truck of War" thing Chevy tried a few months back against Ford.

[Rich]

LOL this is good.  Hadn't heard about the Hyundai challenge yet.

MINI went ahead and asked for facebook fans with a porsche to come out as a substitute for the company no show.  So there's going to be a race with a porsche unless they changed plans after Hyundai made their bid

[the Teuton]

Oh, I'm sure Rhys Millen will have some fun in July. Whether MINI shows up or not then will be the question.

[Laconian]

Mini is really beating a dead horse with this promotion.

[the Teuton]

Didn't see this:

[2o6]

Porsche declined, but Hyundai just challenged them with the Genesis Coupe.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/video-hyundai-steps-in-for-porsche-offers-to-take-on-mini-at-r/

[the Teuton]

Porsche declined, but Hyundai just challenged them with the Genesis Coupe.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/18/video-hyundai-steps-in-for-porsche-offers-to-take-on-mini-at-r/

Check your reading comprehension skills at the door.

[2o6]

I skimmed....

[the Teuton]

I skimmed....

Not incredibly well...

[Rich]

I skimmed....

Skimmed what?  Milk? Jesus

[Submariner]

I'd imagine a Cayman would mop a Mini up...

[68_427]

Trust me this won't be around the racetrack.  It will be something tight and technical like the paddock or garage area etc.

[2o6]

Trust me this won't be around the racetrack.  It will be something tight and technical like the paddock or garage area etc.

It's Road Atlanta.

[MX793]

It's Road Atlanta.

But are they actually racing on Road Atlanta, or on a tight autoX course in the parking lot at Road Atlanta...

[68_427]

There is a paddock and pits at Road Atlanta, no?

Mini is not revealing all, and Porsche knew that.

[TBR]

Mini knew that Porsche would deny them and that a professional driver in a Cooper S JWC would annihilate an amateur poser in a non-S Cayman or Boxster.

[hotrodalex]

The challenge is against a Carrera S, not a Cayman or Boxster.

Too bad I don't own one, otherwise I would let them use it.

[TBR]

The challenge is against a Carrera S, not a Cayman or Boxster.

Too bad I don't own one, otherwise I would let them use it.

Oh, I didn't realize that. That's a bit more bold, though not as outlandish as it might first appear.

[Submariner]

The challenge is against a Carrera S, not a Cayman or Boxster.

Too bad I don't own one, otherwise I would let them use it.

I can't imagine the mini would stand a chance either way. 

[2o6]

I can't imagine the mini would stand a chance either way. 

The Mini is a very quick and grippy car, under the right conditions a larger 911 might not be able to hang with a Mini on a smaller, tighter track. Road Atlanta has it's fair share of curves and straightaways, so it could actually be a close battle.

[Rupert]

On an autocross course, the Mini might have a chance.

[Submariner]

The Mini is a very quick and grippy car, under the right conditions a larger 911 might not be able to hang with a Mini on a smaller, tighter track. Road Atlanta has it's fair share of curves and straightaways, so it could actually be a close battle.

Despite the 400 lbs difference (2700ish vs 3100ish), I simply cannot imagine the 911 not being able to out maneuver the JCW in tight corners.  I could be very wrong, though. 

[the Teuton]

For reference:



Also, here's an awesome spoof Mini did on Rocky 4:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt7bX3iAWlA

[Laconian]

I, too, doubt the veracity of that statement.

Mini doesn't hope to win. Their advertising agency just want to score easy PR points with OMG! MINI IS SO CHEEKY! LOL! Milking it for all it's fucking worth, too. Ughh.

[2o6]

Despite the 400 lbs difference (2700ish vs 3100ish), I simply cannot imagine the 911 not being able to out maneuver the JCW in tight corners.  I could be very wrong, though. 

Fast Fact:

Lateral G

Mini Cooper S - 0.90g

Carerra S - 0.93g

[MX793]

Fast Fact:

Lateral G

Mini Cooper S - 0.90g

Carerra S - 0.93g

Lateral G in no way, shape or form indicates how maneuverable a car is.  It's purely a measure of sustained lateral grip.  Unless they plan to race these cars on a flat, circular track, the number is next to meaningless.

[hotrodalex]

Unless they plan to race these cars on a flat, circular track, the number is next to meaningless.

MINI NASCAR?

[sportyaccordy]

Fast Fact:

Lateral G

Mini Cooper S - 0.90g

Carerra S - 0.93g

Wat abt slaloms + braking (more important specs for road racing)

The tighter the course, the better the Mini will do.

The faster the course, the better the Porsche will do.

I'm personally more interested in the Hyundai vs Mini race (haven't + prob won't read the link)

[hotrodalex]

[MX793]

So then they're using the kart track at the south side of the real track (near turns 6 and 7)...