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 loads of electrical autos 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 vehicles at Gridlife Laguna. Each autos competed in Gridlife’s TrackBattle sequence, which options apply, qualifying, and a remaining 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 Pink 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 totally different from what one may 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 contains a inventory drivetrain, battery, and software program from Tesla. Standard racecars powered by the interior 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 Avenue GT Class, which is a class for manufacturing vehicles with restrictions on tire width and manufacturing unit aero elements. Much like Darkish Helmet, whose modifications are principally comprised of Unplugged Efficiency’s Apex-S Mannequin S sequence, 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 well day by day pushed, a lot in order that the automobile was pushed by the Unplugged crew 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 might 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 youngsters to highschool. 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 mentioned.
The Podium Dash
The dual Teslas each certified for the rostrum dash of their respective lessons, regardless of some challenges equivalent to 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 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 autos additionally set all wheel drive information for Avenue 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 autos 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 folks 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 information, or a podium, or sometimes each. At Gridlife Laguna this 12 months we went past and stunned many with not one however two podiums with two totally different autos in two separate lessons. It is a very uncommon achievement. It might solely be achieved with a hardworking and proficient pit crew by my facet,” he mentioned.
Unplugged Efficiency CEO Ben Schaffer celebrated the dual Tesla’s achievements on the occasion.
“The UP Race crew, together with our improvement driver Craig Coker, did a implausible job. We introduced out two Laguna Seca record-holding autos: the manufacturing EV lap record-holding Mannequin S Plaid, ‘Darkish Helmet,’ and our 2024 Mannequin 3 Efficiency, ‘Pink 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 autos 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 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 autos 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 predicted 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 now we have captured 1st at Willow Springs Raceway, third at Laguna Seca within the Limitless Class. We’re presently P1 in total 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 mentioned.
There are just a few vehicles within the hyper-competitive world of automotive racing which might 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 impression massive sufficient that even critics are silenced. Because it seems, the Mannequin S Plaid and the Mannequin 3 Efficiency—improved by bolt-on elements—may very well be these autos.
Watch a video of the Unplugged Tesla crew on the Gridlife Laguna Seca occasion under.
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