You have to love Porsche. We wondered how Porsche would respond to the race challenge from Mini and we no longer have to wonder. Detlev Von Platen, the President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, has responded in letter form. As expected, but always worth reading, they handled it with class and dignity while managing to insert a subtle jab at their challenger. Porsche: 1. Mini: 0. Read on for the letter!

"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:



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"

Rate this story

Rating: 1 ... Bad 2 ... Not the best 3 ... Average 4 ... Good 5 ... Awesome

Related Stories

06/01/2010 04:36 PM: Grid girl faints on Porsche GT3 by Whiplash
It's either REALLY hot out there, or shes just overwhelmed by that car. ...

05/20/2010 01:14 PM: Globe journalist’s son crashes $180,000 Porsche by TimothyT
Take an expensive sports car, a curious teen and a garage door – and mix together to get one very embarrassed automotive writer. ...

05/20/2010 01:07 PM: Porsche 911 Ranked Number One in Vehicle Satisfaction in AutoPacific Survey by TimothyT
In a survey of 42,000 owners rating their new 2010 model year cars and trucks, Porsche owners have ranked the 911 as the best sports car in satisfying customers, according to the 14th Annual Vehicle ...

05/19/2010 05:44 AM: Porsche Drives for Hope by Whiplash
Everyone loves a parade and Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital is teaming with Porsche Club of America and the Village of Oak Lawn to host what could be Chicago’s largest Porsche parade in history. Thi...

05/12/2010 12:41 PM: 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS, get you one ! by Whiplash
620 Horsepower jammed into a 3000 pound body, with only 500 being produced its no wonder they are retailing for $245,000 ...

Your Name:


Subject:


Icon:
                     
             

Message:


Disable smilies in this post.
Disable block tag code.
Add [url] tag at URLs.