MINI Releases Track Layout for Porsche Challenge

Sections: Marketing | Motorsports Jun 20th, 2010 21 Comments

Clearly MINI understands that challenging Porsche on the fast and sweeping turned of Road Atlanta isn’t a good idea. Due to this they have created an autocross circuit for tomorrow’s MINI vs Porsche challenge?

Is it fair? Unfair? A bait and switch?

Written By: MF Staff

goat

Love how they named the ‘wasp waist’! ;)

Is it fair to the P-car? Well it is a bit unfair, because power advantage has been quite handicapped, but on the other hand it is like the ultimate autox because you have realtrack to drive rather than parking grade asphalt and rather than sea of cones you see track edging to help point the way.

I know MINI is the home team but I actually am looking forward to seeing the rear-engined P-car tear this thing up, as well as any M cars JonPD scares up. Looking at this I am actually seeing pretty clearly that my friends turbomiata would probably hand both MINI and mighty P-car a thumping, but that’s another story for perhaps another track challenge.

All speculation aside, Mondays are often boring but not this one! :)
JoÃ£o

In the original track, the Mini would be smashed. Looking foward to this race tomorrow!
MINIme

Bring on that Miata. You are just talking trash now…
JonPD

As it has been stated by Brad Davis previously of course this was going to be a autocross. MINI has not given me any notice if they are going to allow the M cars on the track or accept the Classic challenge. I am trying to convince my friends to go, should be no issue if MINI gives it the ok.

I can go find actually several other cars that would best the MINI and Porsche on this track. Your friends turbo miata would definitely do it.
JonPD

Also if anyone is wondering just how little MINI feels confidant on this track just look at the actual track.

http://www.roadatlanta.com/trackmap.lasso

Look at this image if you need help figuring out the tiny corner of the track MINI wants to race on.

http://forza.norm302.com/fm2/images/maps-Road_Atlanta_01.jpg

If you zoom into the tiny section of the track where this event on the first link and you will see they are laying out their autocross on the skid pad.

Great job Porsche not being sucked into this lame offer of a race.

I do hope though that the MINI people showing up do enjoy a day of autocrossing, it should be fun.
Brian

No one asked if other cars can best a Porsche or MINI on this track. Of course there are others but that’s not the point of the ad campaign. Its a challenge from MINI to Porsche…you can go away now.
lavardera

This looks somewhat larger than an autocross layout to my eye – I’m just guessing by the size of other elements in the aerial photo (aka 100ft dia skid pad). The long straight might favor the porsche, but its split by the start stop line – they won’t get a run at more than half of it.
lavardera

checking on google maps it looks to be only about 3/4 mile, but perhaps more stretched out than a typical autocross?
goat

@ MINIme… not meaning to talk trash at all. I know of which I speak as I drive both: an R53 Factory JCW Competition Edition and an NB miata (currently in a bit of disrepair but admittedly not stock… suspension, bolt-in roll bar, intake/exhaust, the usual stuff… then again my CompEd JCW is more comparable in hardware to a turbo-powered mazdaspeed miata so fair is fair).

Here is the nutshell: Both cars are a blast to drive. Both handle very well. Both are “underdogs” that do more with less. My JCW is FAR FAR quicker to accelerate especially at higher speeds. Longer high speed sweepers the JCW is more stable and on a medium speed backroad it is untouchable by most miatas unless they are being driven very skillfully… HOWEVER, the miata will thread through tight stuff significantly faster and with a much better balance and if you think the MINI has a quick steering rack you should try a miata with a smaller diameter MOMO wheel. ;) So on a tight autox course (similar to what MINI has set up at Road Atlanta), the miata holds some key advantages. RWD, 50/50 balance, 2300lb curb weight, super low driving position, and a gearbox that has to be experienced to be believed makes MINIs feel flabby and understeery. Now if only we had the stout and screaming SC JCW motor in the miata… that would be something. :)

MINIs and miatas are proper drivers’ cars with a similar spirit… so it amazes me that there are MINI owners who don’t “get” how legitimate a sports car the miata is?
http://www.facebook.com/jusung J.S. Yoon

This is going to be awesome! It will be interesting, that’s for sure!
JonPD

I have to agree with Autoblog on this one.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/20/mini-reveals-track-for-porsche-challenge-not-really-road-atlant/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+weblogsinc%2Fautoblog+%28Autoblog%29
Cory

To the miata/mini argument, I don’t think insults toward miatas are usually directed as much toward the vehicles as the people who typically drive them. I’ve turned my head at a few attractive and capable miatas that were driven by older, heavier women going ten miles under the speed limit. There are times, though, when i see the same demographic behind the wheel of a mini. As far as I know, they don’t appreciate the “driver’s car” aspect. Tons of people buy minis and miatas just because they’re “cute.” I’ll never understand that reasoning, and I assume most who frequent motoringfile agree. It’s a shame, but it’s true. Unfortunately, drivers do affect a car’s image. But as far as miatas go, i know of a lot of people that own one alongside their Elise. Same with mini. That says a lot about the appreciation of these cars as drivers cars.
Blainestang

Anyone acting surprised about the track layout is a moron. (I’m not saying people here, necessarily, but in general) Not only is it common sense that they wouldn’t invite Porsche over to get romped on the full course, but also, intelligent people have been saying from the beginning that it would be a tight track rather than the full one… For reason number 1.
that.guy

Oh, yeah. The 911 will really be able to set its 385 horses loose on that 75-yard straight… This is kind of like challenging Tiger Woods to a round of miniature golf.
CraigE

This is kind of like challenging Tiger Woods to a round of miniature golf.

That would be a lot more entertaining to watch than a normal round of golf though. I also think I would rather watch a MINI and a Porsche tearing it up around an autocross track than the full track.
Blainestang

Well, we’re here… Second in line behind someone who seemingly works here. The lady at the guard hut seems to think guests will be able to drive the FULL track, but I’m doubtful.
MINIme

Hey Goat,

No problem. I am a fan of Miatas too. I am aware that they are very capable.

In this case, MINI is going against a car that costs 3X as much but without 3X the performance. The Miata is similar in price to the MINI with great, but different, handling characteristics. It would be a better match-up for sure but MINI is going after one of the big dogs in the sports car world to get a marketing boost. And, it is working so far…
goat

hey MINIme… yeah, i figured we agreed more than disagreed… just wanted to get the news out there that miatas are under-rated sports cars by too many people who claim to be “drivers”.

Cory above has it right… a lot of people buy both MINIs and miatas because they are “cute”… saddle them with an automatic transmission… and then proceed to toodle along generally getting in my way when i’m in my miata or my mini. ;)
JonPD

So far the press MINI is getting on this is not great. Autoblog yesterday was pointing out the bait and switch and today Jalopnik is going them.

http://jalopnik.com/5568806/bait-and-switch-badvertising-ruined-mini-vs-porsche

Think since MINI is bringing a Porsche to their event I think Porsche should follow up with bringing a MINI and doing a race around the actual track and post that video. I figured when this was initially announced the eventual kick back when everybody figured out its only a autocross in the automotive media.
Alan Smithee

As others said, this wasn’t hard to predict.

I am a fan of both brands, and I think the original viral marketing video was brilliant. But it has since taken a turn towards pathetic.

If MINI wants a good fight with a Porsche on an auto-x course, it should be a Boxster Spyder, not a 911, that they challenge.
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