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Tesla Model 3 Performance shatters all-time EV lap record at Laguna Seca

A Tesla Model 3 Performance attacks the track at Laguna Seca Raceway. (Photo: Tom Cross/Teslarati)

Published

6 years ago

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A Tesla Model 3 Performance achieved the unthinkable over the past weekend when it shattered the all-time electric vehicle lap record at the famed Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California.

Ripping through the racetrack in near-stealth fashion, the all-electric sedan stunned onlookers as it set a lap time of 1:37.5, crushing the previous lap record of 1:41.2 set by Cameron Rogers in December 2018. Incidentally, both lap records were set in the same Tesla Model 3 Performance that’s owned by Cameron, with the latest achievement reined in by driver Sasha Anis of Mountain Pass Performance.

The electric four-door family sedan’s 1:37.5 lap time soundly beats the Jaguar I-PACE, driven by legendary racecar driver Randy Pobst around the track in 1:48.6, by nearly 11 seconds. More importantly, Model 3 Performance beat the previous all-time record set by Lucid Motors in their purpose-built, 1,000 hp Air prototype that included a stripped out interior and a full roll cage.

Top 10 Fastest EV Laps at Laguna Seca Raceway

  1. Tesla Model 3 Performance w/mods: 1:37.5 (Teslarati/Mountain Pass Performance at TeslaCorsa 6/29/19)
  2. Lucid Air 1,000 hp prototype (non-production, full roll cage, race tires): 1:39.3
  3. Tesla Model 3 Performance w/mods (December 2018 record): 1:41.2
  4. Lucid Air 1,000 hp prototype (non-production, full roll cage): 1:41.6
  5. Tesla Model S P100D w/mods: 1:45.2 (Refuel 2019)
  6. Tesla Model 3 Performance: 1:46.8
  7. Tesla Model S P100D (Lucid Motors test driver): 1:47.6
  8. Jaguar I-Pace (Randy Pobst driver): 1.48.18
  9. Tesla Model 3 Long Range rear-wheel drive w/mods: 1:48.6
  10. Tesla Model 3 Long Range rear-wheel drive stock: 1:54.2

The weekend played witness to two EV-centric events at Laguna Seca: the annual REFUEL event and Tesla Corsa. REFUEL 11 featured time trials and events for electric vehicles and electric motorcycles in a competitive setting, while Tesla Corsa was, for many, an opportunity to meet up with other Tesla owners and enthusiasts who wished to experience the track with their electric cars. This was the first time that the Model 3 Performance was able to join REFUEL, as the vehicle was not yet available during last year’s annual meet. The Model 3 Performance made an impact in both events, performing record-setting runs, back-to-back on Friday and Saturday during Tesla Corsa. The Model 3 Performance would win REFUEL 11 the following day after setting the fastest qualifying lap in its event debut.

A Tesla Model 3 Performance attacks the track at Laguna Seca Raceway. (Photo: Tom Cross/Teslarati)

What is quite remarkable about the record-setting Model 3 is that the vehicle is a regular commuter car that’s been upgraded with standard off-the-shelf Mountain Pass Performance parts that include an adjustable coilover suspension, upgraded control arms, improved brakes, and a second set of track tires. The vehicle’s owner, Cameron Rogers, who also previously held the production EV lap record at Laguna Seca, uses the vehicle to get to and from work on a daily basis.

Teslarati and Mountain Pass Performance joined Cameron in his mission to prove that Tesla’s first track-capable sedan could really be a formidable opponent to gas cars on a closed circuit racetrack. More importantly, we set out to turn the Motorsport world entirely on its head.

A Tesla Model 3 Performance attacks the track at Laguna Seca Raceway. (Photo: Tom Cross/Teslarati)

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When Elon Musk announced the Model 3 Performance, he stated that the vehicle would be competitive on the track even against track-capable gas cars. The electric sedan’s new lap record at Laguna Seca Raceway suggests that the CEO’s words were accurate, as the vehicle’s 1:37.5 time bests that of far costlier performance cars, including the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta, BMW M4 GTS, the Porsche 911, and the Aston Martin Vantage.

It should be noted that the Model 3 Performance is Tesla’s most affordable Performance vehicle in its lineup. The car currently retails for $59,900, and is available in multiple territories today, meaning customers in North America, Europe, and China could acquire a car with the performance to beat nearly all production cars around a track. If that’s not an inflection point for the motoring world, it’s hard to imagine what is.

Watch Sasha rip through the corkscrew at Laguna Seca in a Tesla Model 3 Performance and set the all-time EV lap record for a production car.

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Simon is an experienced automotive reporter with a passion for electric cars and clean energy. Fascinated by the world envisioned by Elon Musk, he hopes to make it to Mars (at least as a tourist) someday. For stories or tips--or even to just say a simple hello--send a message to his email, simon@teslarati.com or his handle on X, @ResidentSponge.

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Lifestyle

Elon Musk seemingly confirms Cybertruck gift to 13-year-old cancer fighter

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, the teen has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12.

Published

2 weeks ago

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March 6, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed that he will be sending a Tesla Cybertruck to 13-year-old Devarjaye “DJ” Daniel, a 13-year-old Houston boy fighting brain cancer. The teen was recognized as an honorary Secret Service member by U.S. President Donald Trump during his address to Congress on Tuesday. 

A Chance Meeting

The Tesla CEO’s Cybertruck pledge was mentioned during DJ’s short interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. When Collins asked the 13-year-old what he told the Tesla CEO, DJ answered that he asked for a Cybertruck.

“I said, ‘can you do me a big favor, when you get back to Houston can you send us a Cybertruck down there?’” the cancer fighter stated.

Daniel noted that Musk responded positively to his request, which was highlighted by Collins in a post on X. Musk responded to the post with a heart emoji, suggesting that he really will be sending a Cybertruck to the 13-year-old cancer fighter.

Teen’s Cancer Battle Inspires

Diagnosed in 2018 with a rare form of brain and spine cancer with no cure, Daniel has undergone 13 surgeries by the time he was 12. During his speech, Trump highlighted the 13-year-old’s long battle with his disease. 

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“Joining us in the gallery tonight is a young man who truly loves our police. The doctors gave him five months at most to live. That was more than six years ago. Since that time, DJ and his dad have been on a quest to make his dream come true,” Trump stated.

Daniels officially received an honorary badge from U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran, to much applause during the event.

Surprisingly Partisan

While Daniels’ story has been inspiring, Trump’s focus on the 13-year-old cancer fighter has received its own fair share of criticism. MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace, while referencing Daniels’ love for law enforcement, noted that she is hoping the 13-year-old never has to defend the U.S. capitol against Trump supporters. “If he does, I hope he isn’t one of the six who loses his life to suicide,” Wallace stated.

Anti-Musk and Trump accounts on X have also thrown jokes at the cancer fighter’s honorary badge, with some dubbing the 13-year-old as a “DEI hire” that should be looked into by DOGE.

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Tesla owner highlights underrated benefit of FSD Supervised

Published

2 months ago

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January 31, 2025

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Credit: Tesla

Elon Musk has been pretty open about the idea of FSD being the difference maker for Tesla’s future.

If Tesla succeeds in achieving FSD, it could become the world’s most valuable company. If it doesn’t, then the company would not be able to reach its optimum potential.

FSD Supervised’s safety benefits:

  • But even if FSD is still not perfect today, FSD Supervised is already making a difference on the roads today.
  • This was highlighted in Tesla’s Q4 2024 Vehicle Safety Report.
  • As per Tesla, it recorded one crash for every 5.94 million miles driven in which drivers were using Autopilot technology.
  • For comparison, the most recent data available from the NHTSA and FHWA (from 2023) showed that there was one automobile crash every 702,000 miles in the United States. 

FSD user’s tale:

  • As per an FSD user’s post on social media platform X, FSD Supervised was able to help him drive a relative to a medical facility safely even if he was exhausted.
  • During the trip, the driver only had to monitor FSD Supervised’s performance to make sure the Tesla operated safely.
  • In a vehicle without FSD, such a trip with an exhausted driver would have been quite dangerous. 
  • “This morning, Tesla FSD proved to be an absolute godsend. I had to take my brother-in-law to the hospital in Sugar Land, TX, which is 40 miles away, at the ungodly hour of 4 AM. Both of us were exhausted, and he was understandably anxious about the surgery.
  • “The convenience of sending the hospital’s address directly from my iPhone to my Tesla while still inside my house, then just a single button press once inside, and 40 miles later we were precisely in front of the hospital’s admissions area.This experience really underscores just how transformative this technology can be for society,” Tesla owner JC Christopher noted in his post.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

Published

2 months ago

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January 14, 2025

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Credit: @SoKrispyMedia/YouTube

There are few things that prove an enthusiast’s love towards a company more than a dedicated short film. This was highlighted recently when YouTube’s SoKrispyMedia posted a 10-minute action movie starring Optimus, Tesla’s humanoid robot, as well as several of the company’s most iconic products. 

The video: 

  • Shot like a Hollywood action flick, the video featured a rather humorous plot involving a group of thieves that mistakenly targeted a Tesla Model 3 driver. 
  • The Model 3 driver then ended up speaking to Tesla for assistance, and some high-octane and high-speed hijinks ensued.
  • While the short film featured several Tesla products like the Model 3, Superchargers, and the Cybertruck, it is Optimus that truly stole the show.
  • Optimus served several roles in the short film, from an assistant in a Tesla office to a “robocop” enforcer that helped out the Model 3 driver.

Cool inside jokes: 

  • The best Tesla videos are those that show an in-depth knowledge of the company, and SoKrispyMedia definitely had it. 
  • From the opening scenes alone, the video immediately poked fun at TSLA traders, the large number of gray Tesla owners, and the fact that many still do not understand Superchargers.
  • The video even poked fun at Tesla’s software updates, as well as how some Tesla drivers use Autopilot or other features without reading the fine print in the company’s release notes.
  • The video ended with a tour de force of references to Elon Musk products, from the Tesla Cybertruck to the Boring Company Not-a-Flamethrower, which was released back in 2018.

Check out SoKrispyMedia’s Tesla action short film in the video below.

Don’t hesitate to contact us with news tips. Just send a message to simon@teslarati.com to give us a heads up.

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