Lifestyle
Tesla Racing Tips: Your First Track Day

Track days are one of the most exhilarating activities one can experience. It’s a chance to take your favorite car to a real race track to see what it’s capable of. See how you fair as a driver, learn firsthand about the culture of motorsports, and experience what performance driving is really like. We’ll be providing an overview of what to expect along with some Tesla specific tips for your first track day.
How Does it Work ?
Track days are set up by independent motorsport event organizers that make arrangements with various race tracks. There are usually several of them covering each state. Examples:
- Speed Ventures in Southern California
- NCRC in Northern California
- NASA throughout US
Each company will have 3 or more groups separated by driver experience. For example,
Blue – beginner
Purple – intermediate low
Black – intermediate high
Red – advanced
You start in the beginner group, and as you build your experience you move up to the next level.
How Much does it Cost ?
Depending on the track, the cost can be as low as $100 and as high as $400 per day. The average is usually around $200, but be sure to also include the following:
- travel/lodging costs
- track gate fee, around $15
- helmet rental if you don’t have your own, around $30
- about $60 per session if you want an instructor
- RV spot rental for charging, around $20 per day
- professional photos from the track (highly recommended), around $40
- participation in competition or ‘challenges’.
If you continue your racing adventures, over time you will want to get your own equipment such as a helmet, racing suit, racing tires and a professional camera.
Is it Real Racing ?
Technically speaking, racing refers to competition racing, also known as wheel to wheel racing. Open track racing competes for best lap times where as competition racing usually competes for best positioning (ie. the first one at the finish line wins). Motorsports groups such as Speed Ventures make it a fun experience by structuring the open track events to resemble competition with qualifying sessions and pre-grid positions.
Will My Car Get Damaged?
With competition racing, your objective is to win by any means necessary, which can include risking damage to your car as well as the competitor’s. In open track racing, the objective is to have fun, learn performance driving, be competitive, but walk away with your car intact. Safety should always be kept in mind and any risk-taking should be weighed against its consequences. The beginner group will consist of those who have never been on a race track before so exercise as much caution as possible when racing in this group.
Will my Insurance Cover Track Days?
In most cases, the answer is no. Your regular car insurance does not cover anything that happens on the track. Also keep in mind that car manufacturers, including Tesla, will not cover any warranty items that may have incurred while racing. A dedicated track insurance policy can be purchased for the Model S for approximately $400 a day, but that figure can vary greatly depending on how much coverage you’re looking for.
What is the Racing Format Like ?
The day starts with a driver’s meeting where you learn the rules for the event, but also given the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Typically there are 4 or 5 20-minute racing sessions per day. So a group races for 20 minutes, then waits for about one hour while other groups race, and then the cycle repeats. It’s important to charge your Tesla during down time. Track driving consumes a lot of power so recharging in between sessions will ensure your Tesla Model S to have enough juice for three full sessions or four or five partial sessions.
ALSO SEE: The Tesla Racing Series
In the beginner group, the first one or two sessions are set up as a lead-follow exercise, where you follow an instructor. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn the proper racing lines.
What if I Have No Prior Racing Experience ?
It’s a good idea to get an instructor even if it’s only for one session. They can help you understand how to configure your steering and seating position as well as teach you driving techniques as you navigate the course. Lead-follow sessions are definitely a must for everyone. Another technique that is helpful is to follow a more advanced driver around the track and try to mimic what they are doing (if you can keep up).
Do I Need to Worry About Charging ?
Yes, you do. You will use approximately 4 miles of charge per 1 rated mile. Meaning if you have 200 rated miles, it will be enough for 50 actual racing miles. A typical track is about 2.5 miles, so 200 rated miles will get you 20 laps. Each session is approximately 10 laps. Without recharging you are good for about 2 full sessions. Charging at the tracks is usually done with NEMA 14-50, which gets you 4 hours * 30 miles per hour of charge = 120 extra miles, which is good for about another full session. Due to Tesla’s power limiting feature, we found it to be better to just run half sessions
Will the Tesla Model S go the Distance ?
The Model S is not built for racing. It overheats after one lap of hard performance driving. When that happens, power limitation kicks in to protect the car. A yellow dashed line on the power consumption gauge appears on the dashboard. The longer you go, the more severe power limitation gets. It’s a great safety feature as it lets you push the car as hard as you want without having to worry about car damage.
However this same protection mechanism has a drastic impact on the overall racing experience. You can start off as being one of fastest cars on the track on your first lap, to becoming the slowest car on the track in the subsequent laps.
Do I Need Racing Tires ?
On your first track day, no. Whatever standard tires you have on your car, they’ll work fine, as you won’t be setting any records on your first day. It’s only as you start getting more competitive and push the car harder, will you need to get tires that are more suited for racing. Bring a tire pressure gauge or a compressor if you have it. Your tire pressure should not be above 40 psi cold. Meaning, check your tire pressure in the morning before you get on the track. It should not be more than 40.
Is it a Strenuous Physical Activity ?
Yes it is. Performance driving for 20 minutes straight is a lot of work. Be prepared for that. Especially if you come from a drag racing or autocross background where racing sessions last under a minute. You will get used to it with time, but the first few times can be quite exhausting. Make sure to stay well hydrated, especially in the summer. A lot of tracks are in desert areas with hot temperatures and very low humidity. Drinking water is important to feeling well throughout the day.
Should I turn Traction Control and Regenerative Braking Off ?
Traction control will help you stay on track if you lose control, so leave it on. Regen braking improves stability during braking, especially at higher speeds, but it’s mostly a personal preference.
Is it OK to Capture my Track Experience with an Action Camera ?
Absolutely. GoPro is everyone’s favorite. It’s always nice to get GPS data readouts and overlays as well. Garmin VIRB is a leader in that area among consumer cameras in the $400 range, but they have serious accuracy issues. Professional action cameras such as AIM SmartyCam will be the best, but its high cost may not be for everyone.
Be safe and have fun on your first track day!
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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