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Tesla Model 3 sets REFUEL Production GT lap record at Laguna Seca raceway

[Credit: Cameron Rogers/YouTube]

Published

7 years ago

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A Tesla Model 3 equipped with upgraded brake pads and Hoosier slicks set a new Production GT lap record on the famed Laguna Seca Raceway, during the annual REFUEL clean power motorsports event on July 1. The single motor, non-Performance variant of Tesla’s mass-market electric car was able to complete the 2.238 mi (3.602 km) course in 1:48.6, nearly 10 seconds quicker than the 1:57.50 time set by another Model 3 last March, and a split second quicker than previous REFUEL Production GT record set by a Tesla Model S last year.

The Tesla Model 3’s recent feat was shared with Teslarati by car enthusiast and driver Cameron Rogers. According to Cameron, he first drove the Model 3 around the track on the vehicle’s stock tires. In this initial run, he was able to complete the course in 1:54. After changing his tires to racing slicks, however, the vehicle performed considerably better.

As noted by Cameron in a post on the Tesla Motors Club, his modifications to the Model 3 involved a set of Hawk Performance Blue 9012 Racing Brake Pads, Motul Dot 4 Racing Brake Fluid, a set of 18×9.5 Enkei RAIJIN 5×114.3 + 35 Hyper Silver Wheels, and Hoosier A7 slick tires. To provide him with more control during his drive, Cameron opted to disable the vehicle’s wheel speed sensor as well, allowing him to disable stability control and traction control.

The results of the Model 3 run with the Hoosier slicks were notably better, with the compact electric car completing the course in 1:48.6 seconds. Such figures place the non-Performance Long Range RWD Model 3 above records of gasoline vehicles in its class such as the Honda S2000 (1.50.74), BMW Z3 3 (1:50.80), Subaru BRZ (1:51.30), and even a Porsche 911 Carrera (997), which has a record time of 1:51.80, according to results from FastestLaps.com. The Model 3’s 1:48.6 lap places the compact electric car just a hair away from the record set by the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX — a vehicle iconic for its rally pedigree and its legendary 4-cylinder 2.0-liter 4G63 engine. The Evo IX currently has a 1:47.93 record on the Laguna Seca Raceway. 

Perhaps even more notable, however, was that the Model 3 was able to complete its laps without running into any overheating issues similar to those exhibited by early Model S’ when driven hard on the track for extended periods of time. According to Cameron, he was able to complete a total of 15 laps around the track during the entire day without any issues.

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The Model 3’s recent feat at the Laguna Seca Raceway stands as yet another proof that the compact electric car is capable on the racetrack. Just recently, a Model 3 with upgraded suspension and brakes, finished in first place at the Canadian Sport Compact Series Time Attack series, defeating a Porsche Boxter in the process.

It should be noted, however, that the Model 3 on the road today are not the Performance versions of the electric car. The dual motor Model 3 Performance, a variant of the electric car with a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph, is expected to be 15% faster on the track than a BMW M3.

Watch the Model 3’s hot lap around the Laguna Seca Raceway 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

9 hours ago

on

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

1 month 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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Tesla Optimus “stars” in incredible fanmade action short film

Published

2 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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