Hi, all,
We could argue all day that the Mini insert is either good for us or bad for
us, but the argument would basically be just entertainment (not that there's
anything wrong with that). Time will tell if any Mini drivers (no pun
intended) get arrested. However, I don't think we're the types who like to sit
around and wait to see what happens; I think it's a lot more fun to make
things happen.
What interests me far more than "Is it to our advantage?" is "Can we turn it
to our advantage?"
We can all send irate letters to MINI and BMW and do a lot of arm-waving, but
I don't think that will benefit us much.
Or, we can urge SCCA to contact MINI and BMW and propose a partnership to
provide MINI owners safe places to let it all hang out. Namely, us.
The partnership between Subaru and SCCA ("Buy a WRX, get an SCCA membership")
was very successful in driving Subaru buyers to our local events. A similar
partnership with MINI gets us distribution of SCCA materials, SCCA presence in
MINI showrooms, association with a very visible and popular youth-oriented
brand, an influx of members with autocross-ready cars, and a foot in the door
at BMW, too. And last I saw, there was no contingency money for autocrossers
from either BMW or MINI.
I wouldn't be surprised if the relationship between SCCA and BMW (if there is
one) could use a little attention after last year's Runoffs, too.
How about it? Anyone interested in an advocacy email- and letter-writing
campaign to Steve Johnson?
Thanks.
Clay Turner
Senior Vice President/Managing Director
Ackerman McQueen/Colorado Springs
|