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A Tesla Model S Plaid and a modified Model 3 Performance from EV tuning company Unplugged Performance achieved a remarkable double podium finish at the Gridlife Laguna Festival held at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Electric vehicle participation at the Gridlife Laguna Festival was limited, with fewer than five EVs present, according to comments made to Teslarati by Unplugged Performance’s development driver and experienced EV racer Craig Coker. The twin Teslas competed in Gridlife’s TrackBattle series, which consists of practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and a final podium sprint. The Model S Plaid, nicknamed Dark Helmet, raced in the Unlimited Class, while the Model 3 Performance, known as Red Rocket, participated in the Street GT Class.
Unique Racers
What stands out about Unplugged Performance’s two Tesla racers is their distinctiveness compared to typical racing vehicles. Dark Helmet, while featuring aggressive aerodynamic modifications and a stripped interior, retains its original drivetrain, battery, and software from Tesla. Conversely, traditional racing cars with combustion engines are usually heavily modified for increased power.
This statement rings even truer for Red Rocket. Competing in the Street GT Class, which restricts production cars in terms of tire width and factory aerodynamics, it incorporates Unplugged Performance’s Ascension-R components, much like how Dark Helmet showcases parts from the Apex-S Model S series.
Craig Coker remarked that Red Rocket is so drivable that it was used to travel to the event from Los Angeles, while Dark Helmet required a Tesla Cybertruck for transport. This highlights how well-suited Unplugged’s modifications are for everyday use.
“The 2024 Model 3 Performance we raced could easily be used for everyday errands, like grocery shopping or taking my kids to school. We drove it from LA to Laguna Seca, competed, and then returned to LA,” Coker stated.
The Podium Sprint
Both Teslas qualified for the podium sprint in their respective categories, overcoming challenges such as Dark Helmet spinning out on one lap. Despite this setback, Dark Helmet secured a spot in the podium sprint, while Red Rocket finished second in its class and also qualified. The Model 3 Performance recorded a lap time of 1:35.666, finishing second overall in the Gridlife Street GT Class. Meanwhile, Dark Helmet completed its lap in 1:28.465, placing third overall in the Unlimited Class. Both cars set all-wheel-drive records, with Red Rocket claiming the record for Street GT and Dark Helmet for the Unlimited Class.
Craig Coker shared his thoughts on this year’s Gridlife event and the performance of the two Teslas: “These events are always intriguing given that we are among the few electric vehicles present. There are hundreds of cars racing, but fewer than five are EVs. Sometimes we face hostility, sometimes amusement, but occasionally, we receive support. One undeniable fact is that when we arrive at the track, we consistently set records or claim podium finishes, or sometimes both. This year at Gridlife Laguna, we exceeded expectations with two podiums in different classes—a rare achievement, made possible by a dedicated and talented pit crew,” he highlighted.
Unplugged Performance CEO Ben Schaffer praised the performance of the twin Teslas at the event.
“The UP Race team, alongside our development driver Craig Coker, performed exceptionally well. We showcased two record-holding vehicles: the Model S Plaid, ‘Dark Helmet,’ which holds the production EV lap record, and our 2024 Model 3 Performance, ‘Red Rocket,’ which set the lap record for the Model 3 Performance class. Both cars reliably faced off against some of the fastest combustion-engine vehicles and drivers nationwide.
“The Model 3 achieved the fastest lap record at Gridlife Laguna Seca for Street Class AWD, while the Model S continues to hold the Unlimited Class AWD lap record. Craig’s two podium finishes highlight the impressive performance of Tesla’s engineering paired with the same Unplugged Performance parts used by our customers globally. It’s clear that electric vehicles have a rightful place in motorsports, and we are proud to represent EV performance, challenging the fastest ICE vehicles in competitions worldwide,” Schaffer remarked.
The Next Stop
Following the completion of Gridlife Laguna, the Unplugged Performance team is now preparing for the next race at Thunderhill, scheduled for next month.
“Gridlife announced a new West Coast championship for 2024 called the FCP Euro Pacific Championship, featuring three events: Willow Springs, Laguna Seca, and Thunderhill. So far, we have achieved 1st place at Willow Springs Raceway and 3rd at Laguna Seca in the Unlimited Class, making us the current leaders in overall points. A strong performance at Thunderhill could secure us the championship. Winning this inaugural championship would be a significant achievement for an EV!” Coker stated.
In the ultra-competitive realm of automotive racing, very few cars have the potential to shift perspectives on what a production vehicle can achieve. In a race where milliseconds can determine victory or defeat, the Tesla Model S Plaid and the Model 3 Performance—enhanced by bolt-on components—might just be those game-changers.
Watch a video featuring the Unplugged Tesla team at the Gridlife Laguna Seca event below.
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