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Tesla Model 3 beats runner-up Porsche Boxster to win Time Attack race event

[Credit: MountainPass/Tesla Motors Club]

Published

7 years ago

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A modified Tesla Model 3 was able to grab the win in its category at the Canadian Sport Compact Series Time Attack series, beating out a Porsche Boxter and a Mazda RX-8 on a slippery track. The Model 3 was driven by professional driver Sasha Anis, who is part of the OnPoint Dyno/Mountain Pass Performance team.

The Model 3’s track performance has already proven to be notable over the past few months, but so far, most of the vehicles were driven by novice drivers on the track. This time around, however, an actual race car driver was behind the wheel of the Model 3. As it turned out, with some small improvements, the non-Performance Long-Range RWD variant of the compact electric car can pack a mean wallop.

As noted by the team’s post of their Model 3 build in the Tesla Motors Club, the team opted to improve the car’s performance through several modifications to the vehicle. After taking delivery of the electric car on May 30, the team began to work on maximizing the Long Range RWD Model 3’s performance on the track. First off, the team installed Advan RGIII 19×9 +25 and 19×10 +35 tires, which are designed to improve the Model 3’s grip and handling. The team’s suspension arms, coilovers, and custom hub centering rings were also installed on the vehicle. Lastly, the team opted to upgrade the vehicle’s brakes, after a run at the track proved too much for the Model 3’s stock brake kit. With its wide tires, lowered stance, upgraded suspension, and better brakes, the Model 3 was ready for some competition.

As could be seen in a recently uploaded YouTube video from auto enthusiast Edmund Manasan, Sasha Anis’ Tesla Model 3 ultimately became a wild card in the Canadian Sport Compact Series, at one point ranking Number 5 from a list of 120 vehicles according to lap times. The Model 3 was the odd one out in the track meet, considering that it was an electric car racing beside vehicles that were heavily tuned for the track. Apart from this, the weather also proved foul, with incessant rains making the race course incredibly slippery.

As noted by the professional driver, however, the Model 3 handled the wet track without any difficulty. For the Time Attack event, Sasha noted that the Model 3 ended up dominating several vehicles, ultimately ranking first after beating a Porsche Boxter and a Mazda RX-8. A picture of the compact electric car parked proudly behind it’s award was shared by the Model 3’s driver.

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It is pertinent to note that the Model 3 that won the CSCS Time Attack event was not the Performance version of the compact electric car. Instead, it is just the Long-Range RWD variant of the vehicle with some improvements to its suspension, brakes, and wheels. Just recently, Elon Musk shared an image of the first Tesla Model 3 Performance Dual Motor rolling off Fremont’s new assembly line. The Model 3 Performance, which has a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds, a top speed of 155 mph, and a range of 310 miles per charge, is designed to compete with the best performance-oriented vehicles on the track today, such as the BMW M3. In a Twitter announcement, Elon Musk noted that the Model 3 Performance would be roughly 15% faster than the BMW M3 on a track. 

Watch the Model 3’s winning Time Attack run in the video below.

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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 months ago

on

March 6, 2025

By

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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Lifestyle

Tesla owner highlights underrated benefit of FSD Supervised

Published

3 months ago

on

January 31, 2025

By

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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Lifestyle

Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

Published

3 months ago

on

January 14, 2025

By

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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