

Lifestyle
Tesla Model S Plaid wins Pikes Peak’s Exhibition Class in dominating fashion
The excitement was palpable at the base of Pikes Peak as this year’s racecars lined up for their attempt at conquering the treacherous mountain. The mountain already won a round this year, as its weather conditions forced the Pikes Peak committee to shorten the course. Yet as legendary racecar driver Randy Pobst lined up his black Tesla Model S Plaid on the starting line, the atmosphere seemed electric.
The Tesla Model S Plaid racecar with parts from tuning house Unplugged Performance had been baring its fangs at Pikes Peak all week. Fresh off its dramatic comeback story last year with their Model 3 Performance racecar, Pobst and the Unplugged team were looking to complete some unfinished business. Last year’s Model 3 Performance, after all, finished the Pikes Peak Hill Climb after a heroic effort to rebuild the car following a major crash, but thermal issues prohibited the vehicle from completing the run at full power.
We’ve made a short film of Dark Helmet and our ICE melting pilot @RandyPobst. The film just had a 4:20AM debut on YouTube and covers our testing this week leading up to this very moment.https://t.co/89dHgRgjMg pic.twitter.com/CZqj3Ozl69
— UNPLUGGED PERFORMANCE (@UnpluggedTesla) June 27, 2021
Pobst and the Unplugged Performance team came back to Pikes Peak this year with a vengeance. Armed with Tesla’s most powerful production car to date and some of the tuning house’s premier upgrades, the team proved to be a force to be reckoned with, effectively dominating its peers at the Exhibition Class in practice runs. Perhaps this was the reason why the Model S Plaid was loudly cheered as it prepared to begin its ascent. The cheers only got louder as the black Tesla launched at full power from the starting line.
Prior to the Model S Plaid, the Exhibition Class had been dominated by Nick Robinson in his 2017 Acura NSX, which completed the run in 7:14.704 on the shortened track. This was very impressive especially considering that immediately following it was another NSX, which finished its run in 7:53.615, about 40 seconds slower. A 2021 Model 3 driven by Joshua Allan completed the shortened course in a respectable 8:16.778 while another Model 3 driven by Dai Yoshihara encountered issues and finished its run in 11:41.162.
6:57.2 for the win at @PPIHC@Tesla Plaid Alien Technology has been weaponized by UP!
Thanks to the Tesla community for your support! Thanks to our hero @RandyPobst and thanks to our sponsors @bilsteinUS @YokohamaTC @BrailleBattery
The ICE age is over. pic.twitter.com/vekjqusm3V— UNPLUGGED PERFORMANCE (@UnpluggedTesla) June 27, 2021
At some point, it seemed like Robinson and his NSX were all but certain to win this year’s Exhibition Class, but there was one more car waiting for its turn — the Model S Plaid. Accelerating at incredible speeds right out of the gate, Randy Pobst furiously attacked Pikes Peak with his Tesla, putting on a masterclass in driving. It did not take long before the Model S Plaid took the shortened course’s final corner, crossing the finish line in defining fashion. It’s time on the shortened Pikes Peak course was 6:57.220, effectively dethroning Robinson’s Acura NSX from the Exhibition Class’ summit.
.@RandyPobst’s thoughts getting out of the @UnpluggedTesla #ModelS #Plaid at the top of #PikesPeak after his run #PPIHC2021 #PPIHC pic.twitter.com/TcPDNE0o3N
— Out of Spec Studios (@Out_of_Spec) June 27, 2021
Speaking to Out of Spec Studios after his run, Randy Pobst was ecstatic. The legendary racer noted that the car was phenomenal, giving a good run up the mountain. “It was a good run. We ran good. Loads of power, took everything the Yokohama slicks had to offer, let me tell you. We have done a little sway bar change to try and balance it better. I’m really glad we did. The brakes held up, the suspension was fantastic,” Pobst said, raising his fist after seeing his results. From the base of the mountain, it was cheers and hugs among the Unplugged Performance team and the Tesla enthusiasts who came in support of the effort.
🥇@RandyPobst @UnpluggedTesla @bilsteinUS !!!!!!!
6:57.2!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! https://t.co/6yGKauzYeH pic.twitter.com/Ev1E7gfOPz— Sofiaan Fraval (@Sofiaan) June 27, 2021
In a later tweet, Unplugged Performance noted that while a more thorough data analysis would certainly come later, the fact that the Model S Plaid completed the shortened course in 6:57.220 suggests that it may have been able to finish the full run up Pikes Peak in about 9:20. That’s an impressive time overall, and one that is already competitive with some of the most insane, bespoke vehicles that tackle the mountain every year. For now, however, Randy Pobst and the Unplugged Performance team, together with the group of Tesla volunteers that supported this year’s Pikes Peak attempt, could breathe for a bit knowing that the Model S Plaid does have what it takes to compete and dominate in one of the most dangerous racing events in the motorsport world.
Watch Mobil 1’s livestream coverage of Randy Pobst’s Pikes Peak run in the Tesla Model S Plaid below.
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Elon Musk
X account with 184 followers inadvertently saves US space program amid Musk-Trump row
Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.

An X user with 184 followers has become the unlikely hero of the United States’ space program by effectively de-escalating a row between SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump on social media.
Needless to say, the X user has far more than 184 followers today after his level-headed feat.
A Near Fall
During Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s fallout last week, the U.S. President stated in a post on Truth Social that a good way for the United States government to save money would be to terminate subsidies and contracts from the CEO’s companies. Musk responded to Trump’s post by stating that SpaceX will start decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.
Musk’s comment was received with shock among the space community, partly because the U.S. space program is currently reliant on SpaceX to send supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Without Dragon, the United States will likely have to utilize Russia’s Soyuz for the same services—at a significantly higher price.
X User to the Rescue
It was evident among X users that Musk’s comments about Dragon being decommissioned were posted while emotions were high. It was then no surprise that an X account with 184 followers, @Fab25june, commented on Musk’s post, urging the CEO to rethink his decision. “This is a shame this back and forth. You are both better than this. Cool off and take a step back for a couple days,” the X user wrote in a reply.
Much to the social media platform’s surprise, Musk responded to the user. Even more surprising, the CEO stated that SpaceX would not be decommissioning Dragon after all. “Good advice. Ok, we won’t decommission Dragon,” Musk wrote in a post on X.
Not Planned, But Welcomed
The X user’s comment and Musk’s response were received extremely well by social media users, many of whom noted that @Fab25june’s X comment effectively saved the U.S. space program. In a follow-up comment, the X user, who has over 9,100 followers as of writing, stated that he did not really plan on being a mediator between Musk and Trump.
“Elon Musk replied to me. Somehow, I became the accidental peace broker between two billionaires. I didn’t plan this. I was just being me. Two great minds can do wonders. Sometimes, all it takes is a breather. Grateful for every like, DM, and new follow. Life’s weird. The internet’s weirder. Let’s ride. (Manifesting peace… and maybe a Model Y.)” the X user wrote.
Lifestyle
Tesla Cybertruck takes a bump from epic failing Dodge Charger
The Cybertruck seemed unharmed by the charging Charger.

There comes a time in a driver’s life when one is faced with one’s limitations. For the driver of a Dodge Charger, this time came when he lost control and crashed into a Tesla Cybertruck–an absolute epic fail.
A video of the rather unfortunate incident was shared on the r/TeslaLounge subreddit.
Charging Charger Fails
As could be seen in the video, which was posted on the subreddit by Model Y owner u/Hammer_of_something, a group of teens in a Dodge Charger decided to do some burnouts at a Tesla Supercharger. Unfortunately, the driver of the Charger failed in his burnout or donut attempt, resulting in the mopar sedan going over a curb and bumping a charging Cybertruck.
Ironically, the Dodge Charger seemed to have been parked at a Supercharger stall before its driver decided to perform the failed stunt. This suggests that the vehicle was likely ICE-ing a charging stall before it had its epic fail moment. Amusingly enough, the subreddit member noted that the Cybertruck did not seem like it took any damage at all despite its bump. The Charger, however, seemed like it ran into some trouble after crashing into the truck.
Alleged Aftermath
As per the the r/TeslaLounge subreddit member, the Cybertruck owner came rushing out to his vehicle after the Dodge Charger crashed into it. The Model Y owner then sent over the full video of the incident, which clearly showed the Charger attempting a burnout, failing, and bumping into the Cybertruck. The Cybertruck owner likely appreciated the video, in part because it showed the driver of the Dodge Charger absolutely freaking out after the incident.
The Cybertruck is not an impregnable vehicle, but it can take bumps pretty well thanks to its thick stainless steel body. Based on this video, it appears that the Cybertruck can even take bumps from a charging Charger, all while chilling and charging at a Supercharger. As for the teens in the Dodge, they likely had to provide a long explanation to authorities after the incident, since the cops were called to the location.
Lifestyle
Anti-Elon Musk group crushes Tesla Model 3 with Sherman tank–with unexpected results
Ironically enough, the group’s video ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.

Anti-Elon Musk protesters and critics tend to show their disdain for the CEO in various ways, but a recent video from political action group Led By Donkeys definitely takes the cake when it comes to creativity.
Ironially enough, the group’s video also ended up highlighting something very positive for Tesla.
Tank vs. Tesla
In its video, Led By Donkeys featured Ken Turner, a 98-year-old veteran who served in the British army during World War II. The veteran stated that Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is “using his immense power to support the far-right in Europe, and his money comes from Tesla cars.”
He also noted that he had a message for the Tesla CEO: “We’ve crushed fascism before and we’ll crush it again.” To emphasize his point, the veteran proceeded to drive a Sherman tank over a blue Tesla Model 3 sedan, which, of course, had a plate that read “Fascism.”
The heavy tank crushed the Model 3’s glass roof and windows, much to the delight of Led By Donkeys’ commenters on its official YouTube channel. But at the end of it all, the aftermath of the anti-Elon Musk demonstration ended up showcasing something positive for the electric vehicle maker.
Tesla Model 3 Tanks the Tank?
As could be seen from the wreckage of the Tesla Model 3 after its Sherman encounter, only the glass roof and windows of the all-electric sedan were crushed. Looking at the wreckage of the Model 3, it seemed like its doors could still be opened, and everything on its lower section looked intact.
Considering that a standard M4 Sherman weighs about 66,800 to 84,000 pounds, the Model 3 actually weathered the tank’s assault really well. Granted, the vehicle’s suspension height before the political action group’s demonstration suggests that the Model 3’s high voltage battery had been removed beforehand. But even if it hadn’t been taken off, it seemed like the vehicle’s battery would have survived the heavy ordeal without much incident.
This was highlighted in comments from users on social media platform X, many of whom noted that a person in the Model 3 could very well have survived the ordeal with the Sherman. And that, ultimately, just speaks to the safety of Tesla’s vehicles. There is a reason why Teslas consistently rank among the safest cars on the road, after all.
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