By now, just about everyone at every drag strip across the planet knows they don't want to line up opposite one of Elon Musk's Tesla models. With all-wheel-drive traction and instantaneously available torque, many EVs have an edge in straight-line acceleration.
But how would a Tesla fare in genuine motorsport, with curves and all? Well, MountainPass Performance recently decided to test just that using a prepped Tesla Model Y. And in competition against the likes of Porsches, tuned-up JDM models, BMW M cars, and a Corvette, the Tesla did more than hold its own.
Balance And Traction
To be fair, just about every car in the time attack event had received some form of preparatory modifications, so the fact that MountainPass bolted on some upgrades like a big brake kit from StopTech, Volk Racing wheels, and upgraded suspension components including control arms, camber arms, and toe arms, shouldn't be considered unfair to the spirit of fun.
In fact, the series even has different classes for each different drivetrain type, with the Model Y entering the All-Wheel-Drive segment in the Super Street category, competing against the likes of a 650-horsepower (or more) 991-generation Porsche Turbo S and an AWD-converted Acura Integra time attack build also sporting a claimed 600 horses.
Center Of Gravity
MountainPass ran some laps and did some adjustments on the suspension geometry, while disabling stability control in the Tesla. The results should make Elon Musk quite happy, as the seven-seater car was amazingly able to log a lap time that earned it the eighth place overall, only being beaten by three different 991 Porsche GT3 RS variants, the aforementioned Turbo S, and three fully built racecars. Not bad for a family hauler!
Source: mountainpassperformance.com and youtube.com.