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Pikes Peak Record Holding Model S Sets New EV Record at Sonoma Raceway

You might remember this particular Tesla Model S, and it's not because it has "GO PUCK" written on its side, which is one "yourself" away from becoming an insinuated insult.
GO PUCK Tesla Model S on Sonoma Raceway 1 photo
Photo: Twitter screenshot
No, it's because earlier this year, it set a new record for production-grade electric vehicles at the famous Pikes Peak Colorado hill climb event. We feel we should mention that the previous best time was held by an electric version of a Honda Fit (also known as Jazz), so beating that performance perhaps isn't that great of an achievement.

We all know that the Model S - and Teslas in general - are very quick off the mark, but they don't do too well when it comes to high speeds. They also can't do it for too long as the battery tends to overheat and limit the power it sends toward the two motors. This car, however, even though it races as a production version, has gone through a few modifications.

For one thing, the battery power limiter is disabled. That means it can go at full throttle longer than a regular Model S, but overdo it and you might end up in flames. It also has about 800 pounds (363 kg) of weight shaved off by stripping anything that wasn't vital on the inside. It also has a roll cage added, in case it missed one turn at Pikes Peak and barrel rolled down the mountain slope.

After apparently spending the summer abandoned at a Colorado Supercharger station, the GO PUCK Tesla Model S is back to claim a new record. Much like Pikes Peak, this one wasn't too big of a challenge either. Blake Fuller's Tesla just set the lap record on the Sonoma Raceway for a production EV, stopping the clock at 1:57:50 with the track in the IndyCar Course configuration. The thing is there was no previous time set by any other electric vehicle, so the Tesla basically just provided a benchmark for whoever wants to see where they stack up against a slightly modified Tesla Model S P90D.

Below is a short clip of the Tesla doing a drive by on the straight line. As much as we like Elon Musk's electric sedan, we have to admit it looks - and most of all sounds - less than impressive. But at least we get to see how much of the sound a racing car makes is due to the tires rubbing against the track. The answer? A lot.
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About the author: Vlad Mitrache
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"Boy meets car, boy loves car, boy gets journalism degree and starts job writing and editing at a car magazine" - 5/5. (Vlad Mitrache if he was a movie)
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