A Tesla Mannequin S Plaid and a reengineered Mannequin 3 Efficiency from EV tuning home Unplugged Efficiency participated within the Gridlife Laguna Competition on the Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca. The dual Teslas ended the occasion with a uncommon double podium end.
The Gridlife Laguna Competition didn’t have quite a lot of electrical automobiles that participated within the occasion. In a remark to Teslarati, Unplugged Efficiency growth driver and skilled EV racer Craig Coker talked about that there have been fewer than 5 electrical vehicles at Gridlife Laguna. Each automobiles competed in Gridlife’s TrackBattle collection, which options apply, qualifying, and a ultimate podium dash. The crew’s Mannequin S Plaid, a Pikes Peak sub-10-minute membership member known as Darkish Helmet, competed within the Limitless Class, and the Mannequin S Efficiency, known as Crimson Rocket, competed within the Avenue GT Class.
Distinctive Racers
What’s attention-grabbing about Unplugged Efficiency’s twin Tesla racers is the truth that they’re very completely different from what one would possibly anticipate from a car that’s constructed to be aggressive in a racing occasion. Whereas Darkish Helmet options aggressive aero and a stripped-out inside, it nonetheless includes a inventory drivetrain, battery, and software program from Tesla. Standard racecars powered by the inner combustion engine are usually modified to allow them to put out extra energy.
Such a press release is much more correct for Crimson Rocket. The reengineered Mannequin 3 Efficiency competed within the Avenue GT Class, which is a class for manufacturing vehicles with restrictions on tire width and manufacturing unit aero parts. Much like Darkish Helmet, whose modifications are principally comprised of Unplugged Efficiency’s Apex-S Mannequin S collection, Crimson Rocket’s modifications are comprised of the EV tuner’s Ascension-R elements.
In a remark to Teslarati, Craig Coker famous that Crimson Rocket is definitely each day pushed, a lot in order that the car was pushed by the Unplugged crew to the occasion, in contrast to Darkish Helmet, which was transported to Laguna Seca by way of trailer pulled by a Tesla Cybertruck. That speaks to the reengineered Mannequin 3 Efficiency’s capabilities, and it additionally highlights how the EV tuner’s elements might nonetheless be helpful for on a regular basis use.
“The 2024 Mannequin 3 Efficiency we competed with, I’d undoubtedly take to the streets, get groceries and take my youngsters to high school. The truth is, we drove it to Laguna Seca from LA. Then we competed in it after which drove it again to LA,” Craig Coker stated.
The Podium Dash
The dual Teslas each certified for the rostrum dash of their respective courses, regardless of some challenges akin to Darkish Helmet spinning out in a single lap. Regardless of spinning out, Darkish Helmet nonetheless certified for the occasion’s podium dash. Crimson Rocket achieved the identical factor, inserting second in its class and qualifying for the rostrum dash. The Mannequin 3 Efficiency’s podium dash ended with a 1:35.666 lap, permitting the car to position second general within the Gridlife Avenue GT Class. Darkish Helmet accomplished its podium try lap in 1:28.465, permitting the all-electric racer to position third general within the Limitless Class. Each automobiles additionally set all wheel drive information for Avenue GT for Crimson Rocket and the Limitless Class for Darkish Helmet.
Craig Coker shared a remark about this yr’s Gridlife occasion, in addition to the efficiency of the dual Unplugged Teslas. “These occasions are at all times attention-grabbing as we’re one of many few EV’s to compete. There are 100’s of automobiles on observe over the weekend however lower than 5 EVs within the combine. Generally we’re hated, generally we’re made enjoyable of, and generally folks love what we do.
“However there’s one factor nobody can deny. After we present as much as the observe we’re constant in setting information, or a podium, or often each. At Gridlife Laguna this yr we went past and stunned many with not one however two podiums with two completely different automobiles in two separate courses. It is a very uncommon achievement. It might solely be achieved with a hardworking and gifted pit crew by my aspect,” he stated.
Unplugged Efficiency CEO Ben Schaffer celebrated the dual Tesla’s achievements on the occasion.
“The UP Race crew, together with our growth driver Craig Coker, did a implausible job. We introduced out two Laguna Seca record-holding automobiles: the manufacturing EV lap record-holding Mannequin S Plaid, ‘Darkish Helmet,’ and our 2024 Mannequin 3 Efficiency, ‘Crimson Rocket,’ which holds the lap report for the Mannequin 3 Efficiency class. Each vehicles carried out reliably towards a extremely aggressive grid of the quickest ICE automobiles and drivers within the nation.
“The Mannequin 3 set the Gridlife Laguna Seca quickest lap report for Avenue Class AWD, whereas the Mannequin S continues to carry the Limitless Class AWD lap report. Craig secured two podium finishes, demonstrating the true driving efficiency of Tesla engineering when paired with the identical Unplugged Efficiency catalog elements our purchasers take pleasure in worldwide. EVs deserve a spot in motorsports and we stay thrilled to be a uncommon consultant of EV efficiency in difficult the quickest ICE automobiles at occasions globally,” Schaffer said.
The Subsequent Cease
With Gridlife Laguna now full, the Unplugged Efficiency crew is now targeted on the upcoming race at Thunderhil, which is anticipated to be held subsequent month.
“Gridlife introduced a brand new west coast championship for 2024 known as FCP Euro Pacific Championship. It’s a 3 cease occasion. Willow Springs, Laguna Seca and Thunderhill. To this point we’ve captured 1st at Willow Springs Raceway, third at Laguna Seca within the Limitless Class. We’re at the moment P1 in general factors. If we do nicely at Thunderhill subsequent month we will win the championship. That might be an enormous accomplishment for an EV to win this inaugural championship!” Coker stated.
There are just a few vehicles within the hyper-competitive world of automotive racing which can be able to altering the notion of what’s doable for a manufacturing automotive. On the observe, the place victory and defeat are separated by milliseconds, few vehicles might make an influence giant sufficient that even critics are silenced. Because it seems, the Mannequin S Plaid and the Mannequin 3 Efficiency—improved by bolt-on elements—could possibly be these automobiles.
Watch a video of the Unplugged Tesla crew on the Gridlife Laguna Seca occasion under.
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