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 improvement driver and skilled EV racer Craig Coker talked about that there have been fewer than 5 electrical automobiles at Gridlife Laguna. Each automobiles competed in Gridlife’s TrackBattle collection, which options observe, qualifying, and a remaining podium dash. The group’s Mannequin S Plaid, a Pikes Peak sub-10-minute membership member referred to as Darkish Helmet, competed within the Limitless Class, and the Mannequin S Efficiency, referred to as Pink Rocket, competed within the Road 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 may count on 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 contains 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 Pink Rocket. The reengineered Mannequin 3 Efficiency competed within the Road GT Class, which is a class for manufacturing automobiles 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, Pink Rocket’s modifications are comprised of the EV tuner’s Ascension-R elements.
In a remark to Teslarati, Craig Coker famous that Pink Rocket is definitely every day pushed, a lot in order that the car was pushed by the Unplugged group to the occasion, in contrast to Darkish Helmet, which was transported to Laguna Seca through 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 may nonetheless be helpful for on a regular basis use.
“The 2024 Mannequin 3 Efficiency we competed with, I might positively take to the streets, get groceries and take my children to high school. In reality, we drove it to Laguna Seca from LA. Then we competed in it after which drove it again to LA,” Craig Coker mentioned.
The Podium Dash
The dual Teslas each certified for the rostrum dash of their respective lessons, regardless of some challenges reminiscent of Darkish Helmet spinning out in a single lap. Regardless of spinning out, Darkish Helmet nonetheless certified for the occasion’s podium dash. Pink 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 total within the Gridlife Road GT Class. Darkish Helmet accomplished its podium try lap in 1:28.465, permitting the all-electric racer to position third total within the Limitless Class. Each automobiles additionally set all wheel drive data for Road GT for Pink Rocket and the Limitless Class for Darkish Helmet.
Craig Coker shared a remark about this 12 months’s Gridlife occasion, in addition to the efficiency of the dual Unplugged Teslas. “These occasions are all the time 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. Typically we’re hated, generally we’re made enjoyable of, and generally individuals love what we do.
“However there may be one factor nobody can deny. After we present as much as the observe we’re constant in setting data, or a podium, or often each. At Gridlife Laguna this 12 months we went past and shocked many with not one however two podiums with two completely different automobiles in two separate lessons. It is a very uncommon achievement. It may solely be achieved with a hardworking and gifted pit crew by my facet,” he mentioned.
Unplugged Efficiency CEO Ben Schaffer celebrated the dual Tesla’s achievements on the occasion.
“The UP Race group, together with our improvement driver Craig Coker, did a incredible 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, ‘Pink Rocket,’ which holds the lap file for the Mannequin 3 Efficiency class. Each automobiles carried out reliably in opposition to a extremely aggressive grid of the quickest ICE automobiles and drivers within the nation.
“The Mannequin 3 set the Gridlife Laguna Seca quickest lap file for Road Class AWD, whereas the Mannequin S continues to carry the Limitless Class AWD lap file. Craig secured two podium finishes, demonstrating the true driving efficiency of Tesla engineering when paired with the identical Unplugged Efficiency catalog elements our purchasers get pleasure from 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 group is now centered on the upcoming race at Thunderhil, which is anticipated to be held subsequent month.
“Gridlife introduced a brand new west coast championship for 2024 referred to as FCP Euro Pacific Championship. It’s a 3 cease occasion. Willow Springs, Laguna Seca and Thunderhill. Up to now now we have captured 1st at Willow Springs Raceway, third at Laguna Seca within the Limitless Class. We’re at the moment P1 in total factors. If we do nicely at Thunderhill subsequent month we are able to win the championship. That may be an enormous accomplishment for an EV to win this inaugural championship!” Coker mentioned.
There are only some automobiles within the hyper-competitive world of automotive racing which might be able to altering the notion of what’s attainable for a manufacturing automotive. On the observe, the place victory and defeat are separated by milliseconds, few automobiles may make an affect 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 group on the Gridlife Laguna Seca occasion under.
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