Lifestyle
Watch this Tesla Model S conquer Autocross [Video]
The following post was originally published on EVANNEX
Grant M. is like a superhero with a secret identity – during the week, he works as a lawyer, but on the weekends, he takes his Tesla S60 to the autocross track to do battle with the forces of fossil fuel.
Autocross, also called solo or (in Canada) autoslalom, is a timed competition in which drivers navigate a course that includes straightaways, curves and slaloms. It’s less about fast acceleration and high speed than about handling and precision driving. The autocross community is egalitarian – any kind of car can compete, and drivers of all skill levels are welcome. Courses are usually temporary, set up with cones on a speedway parking lot or a disused airstrip – this prevents experienced drivers from gaining an advantage, as the course may be different every time.
According to the Sports Car Club of America, most autocross courses are designed so that the cars won’t exceed normal highway speeds – around 55-60 mph. However, “that doesn’t mean they are slow. Well-designed courses will feel plenty fast as you attempt to maintain that speed through a series of elements. Imagine slaloming every barrel in a 55-mph construction zone, and you will start to get the idea.” As the New Brunswick Sporting Car Club puts it, “While AutoSlalom events typically involve lower speeds than other motorsports, the number of driver inputs per second is comparable to Formula One.”
Driving an electric vehicle (EV) on the autocross track is very different from driving a gas-burner. The EV’s instant acceleration gives it an advantage coming out of corners onto a straightaway. However there’s also a drawback: EVs, especially the Tesla Model S, weigh a lot more than their gas-powered counterparts. “Trying to take a corner fast and hard with a car that weighs 4,500 to 5,000 pounds” isn’t easy, Grant told us. “I’m probably 1,000 to 1,500 pounds heavier than every other car in my class.”
Regenerative braking presents another challenge. “It’s like engine braking, as if you were downshifting. You have to take that into account too – it can slow you down pretty far on a really sharp corner, and sometimes that can lead to the back end of the car sweeping out, just because while you’re braking and taking a turn, you lose contact with the tires.”
In a sense, an EV has the opposite attributes of a gas car: it’s slower in the tight turns, but faster on the straight sections. Grant’s competitors know they have to watch out for the Tesla on the straightaways. “I can’t take the corners as fast as everybody else, but when I see a straightaway, with my instant torque and acceleration I can make up some time.”
The Model S is not an ideal autocross car, so Grant doesn’t expect to win a first-place finish any time soon, but his times are improving, and he often earns a respectable place in the top 3 to 5. “It’s very hard to beat cars that are made by the manufacturers to actually go on tracks.” The BMW M3 seems to be the number-one competitor. “They’re very fast and much smaller.”
Grant competes at SCCA events in Southern California in the F Street class, in which cars must be totally stock – the only modification allowed is the tires, so some drivers opt to use “stickier” models. He’s the only Tesla driver on the Southern Cal autocross scene (and apparently the only EV driver, though he has seen a couple of Volts at events), so he and his car get a lot of attention.
Although he’s the only electric driver among a field of car guys and motorheads, Grant says he has encountered no chauvinism or hostility – on the contrary, most of the other drivers find his Tesla Model S very interesting, and are excited about the technology (he does hear some jokes about his vehicle’s silence). This being Southern California, some of the other drivers own Teslas themselves, although they prefer to bring their M3s or Corvettes to the autocross track.
In fact, Grant has become something of a Tesla ambassador to the autocross community – all the car guys have heard about the P100D and its 2.2-second 0-60 time, but he has educated many of them about nifty features such as Autopilot. Everybody wants to take the Model S for a spin, and we all know how that often ends up – it’s possible that Grant has inspired a car guy or two to buy a Tesla of their own.
And why shouldn’t you follow his example? Autocross events are held in all 50 states, and beginning racers are welcome. If you’ve ever wondered how your Model S might perform on a track, an autocross event could be a good place to find out. You’ll have fun, improve your driving skills, and help to spread the word about driving electric.
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.
Lifestyle
Tesla Model 3 driver is using FSD to travel to Mt. Everest Base Camp
The ambitious, nearly 4,000-kilometer (2,485-mile) Tesla FSD journey is being livestreamed on Chinese social media.
Count on Tesla drivers in China to push Full Self Driving (FSD) as far as it could go. As could be seen in videos posted on Chinese social media, a brave Model 3 owner is currently going on an epic journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest on FSD.
Recent posts from the Model 3 driver suggest that the ambitious destination may be within reach.
Epic FSD Journey
As noted by Tesla owner-enthusiast Aaron Li, the journey from Henan Province to the base camp of Mt. Everest spans almost 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles). The journey itself is epic, with stunning vistas and roads that require some drivers to bring oxygen canisters with them. The fact that it is being done using FSD makes it extra impressive.
Based on the videos that have been recently shared, the Model 3 running FSD seems to be nearing the Everest Base Camp. There seems to be a good chance that the Tesla Model 3 may reach its destination this Friday.
Previous Everest Trips
This is not the first time that a Tesla has driven to Mt. Everest’s base camp. That would be a Model 3 that was driven in September 2020. That vehicle, which went on a long 5,500 km (3,400-mile) journey, was manually driven to its destination.
In April 2021, Tesla China announced that it has completed the buildout of 11 Supercharger stations in the picturesque route from Chengdu to Tingri. This route would allow drivers to reach the base camp of Mt. Everest. Sure enough, in July 2022, Tesla China shared a video of two Teslas—a Model X and Model Y—reaching the Everest base camp without any issues. Numerous other Tesla drivers have since taken on the long, picturesque journey.
Check out this Tesla Model Y’s journey to the Mt. Everest base camp in the video below.
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