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 a whole lot 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 automobiles at Gridlife Laguna. Each autos competed in Gridlife’s TrackBattle sequence, which options observe, qualifying, and a ultimate podium dash. The staff’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 Purple 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 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 encompasses 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 Purple 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 largely comprised of Unplugged Efficiency’s Apex-S Mannequin S sequence, Purple Rocket’s modifications are comprised of the EV tuner’s Ascension-R components.
In a remark to Teslarati, Craig Coker famous that Purple Rocket is well every day pushed, a lot in order that the car was pushed by the Unplugged staff 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 components may 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. 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 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. Purple 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 car to put 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 put third total within the Limitless Class. Each autos additionally set all wheel drive data for Avenue GT for Purple 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 autos on observe over the weekend however lower than 5 EVs within the combine. Typically we’re hated, typically we’re made enjoyable of, and typically folks love what we do.
“However there may be one factor nobody can deny. Once we present as much as the observe we’re constant in setting data, or a podium, or sometimes each. At Gridlife Laguna this yr we went past and stunned many with not one however two podiums with two completely different autos in two separate courses. It is a very uncommon achievement. It may solely be achieved with a hardworking and gifted pit crew by my aspect,” he mentioned.
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 unbelievable 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, ‘Purple Rocket,’ which holds the lap document for the Mannequin 3 Efficiency class. Each automobiles 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 document for Avenue Class AWD, whereas the Mannequin S continues to carry the Limitless Class AWD lap document. 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 autos at occasions globally,” Schaffer acknowledged.
The Subsequent Cease
With Gridlife Laguna now full, the Unplugged Efficiency staff 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 date we now 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 properly at Thunderhill subsequent month we are able to win the championship. That might be an enormous accomplishment for an EV to win this inaugural championship!” Coker mentioned.
There are just a few automobiles within the hyper-competitive world of automotive racing which are able to altering the notion of what’s attainable for a manufacturing automobile. On the observe, the place victory and defeat are separated by milliseconds, few automobiles may 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—might be these autos.
Watch a video of the Unplugged Tesla staff on the Gridlife Laguna Seca occasion under.
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