Tony Hawk is hawking a four-wheel vehicle much heavier than a skateboard.
The renowned skateboarder and Vista resident has a marketing deal with Mini USA — the automobile brand from BMW of North America LLC. Terms of the arrangement, announced May 19, were not disclosed.
Mini is the official vehicle of Tony Hawk’s Birdhouse Skateboards Summer Tour, and Hawk plans to appear at Mini USA events. Mini said it will support the Tony Hawk Foundation, which offers funds and technical assistance to people building skate parks in low-income areas.
The Mini website features a don’t-try-this-at-home video of Hawk jumping over a Mini driving at him. Hawk makes the jump with the aid of a skateboard ramp, which the car demolishes.
The relationship between Hawk and Mini dates from at least November, when Hawk bought a Mini John Cooper Works Countryman. Hawk then asked fans via social media to name his new automobile. (The name is Maximillion, a reference to designer, race car driver and Gumball 3000 organizer Maximillion Cooper.)
