A Tesla Mannequin S Plaid and a reengineered Mannequin 3 Efficiency from EV tuning home Unplugged Efficiency participated within the Gridlife Laguna Pageant on the Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca. The dual Teslas ended the occasion with a uncommon double podium end.
The Gridlife Laguna Pageant didn’t have loads 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 sequence, which options apply, qualifying, and a last podium dash. The staff’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 Crimson Rocket, competed within the Avenue GT Class.
Distinctive Racers
What’s fascinating about Unplugged Efficiency’s twin Tesla racers is the truth that they’re very completely different from what one would possibly anticipate from a automobile that’s constructed to be aggressive in a racing occasion. Whereas Darkish Helmet options aggressive aero and a stripped-out inside, it nonetheless incorporates a inventory drivetrain, battery, and software program from Tesla. Standard racecars powered by the interior combustion engine are sometimes 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 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 sequence, Crimson Rocket’s modifications are comprised of the EV tuner’s Ascension-R components.
In a remark to Teslarati, Craig Coker famous that Crimson Rocket is well every day pushed, a lot in order that the automobile was pushed by the Unplugged staff 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 components 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 children to highschool. In reality, 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 lessons, regardless of some challenges corresponding 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 completed 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 automobile to position second total 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 total within the Limitless Class. Each automobiles additionally set all wheel drive data 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 fascinating as we’re one of many few EV’s to compete. There are 100’s of automobiles on monitor over the weekend however lower than 5 EVs within the combine. Generally we’re hated, typically we’re made enjoyable of, and typically individuals love what we do.
“However there may be one factor nobody can deny. After we present as much as the monitor we’re constant in setting data, or a podium, or often each. At Gridlife Laguna this yr 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 might solely be achieved with a hardworking and gifted pit crew by my facet,” he stated.
Unplugged Efficiency CEO Ben Schaffer celebrated the dual Tesla’s achievements on the occasion.
“The UP Race staff, together with our improvement driver Craig Coker, did a improbable 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 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 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 components 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 acknowledged.
The Subsequent Cease
With Gridlife Laguna now full, the Unplugged Efficiency staff 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 we have now captured 1st at Willow Springs Raceway, third at Laguna Seca within the Limitless Class. We’re at present 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 stated.
There are only some automobiles 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 monitor, the place victory and defeat are separated by milliseconds, few automobiles might make an impression giant sufficient that even critics are silenced. Because it seems, the Mannequin S Plaid and the Mannequin 3 Efficiency—improved by bolt-on components—may very well be these automobiles.
Watch a video of the Unplugged Tesla staff on the Gridlife Laguna Seca occasion beneath.
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