The first batch of Teslas's Electric GT racing series is in the works despite the company being all up to its eyeballs supplying all those car orders. The dynamic company reveals how they have created lighter electric racing cars that can run blindingly fast by stripping its interior and using natural fiber composite. With any luck, an all-Tesla racing series will fill a grid of 20 Tesla Model S P100Ds later this year.
According to the company, a stripped-down racetrack-ready Tesla Model S P100D can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 2.0 seconds (0 to 100 km/h in 2.1 seconds). Obviously, weight reduction is critical to this accomplishment. Now, the super popular electric car maker reveals how they achieved the goal.
By stripping the interior, Tesla's Electric GT cars lost 1,100 lbs of weight despite the addition of a roll cage, as claimed by the company. Partnering with natural fiber composite manufacturer Bcomp, the cars experienced further significant weight reduction using biocomposite panels. At JEC World 2017 in Paris, Bcomp introduced two composite performance kits which both feature the powerRibs technology, which provides stiff and lightweight solutions for automotive race body parts, per Electrek .
Chandok, a regular track driver in Formula E, shared what he thinks of the new series. He said that the new cars will need to pick tracks with few undulations so as not to put an extra strain on those lithium-ion batteries. However, he is happy with its overall performance and the way the car drove, the Ars Technica reported.
It's important to note that Electric GT races will have to be kept short at 60 km so as not to overheat the batteries. Interestingly, the venture is completely independent of Tesla. The people running the electric car racing series are on their own, although the Musk's company is aware of the effort, but that's as far as it goes.
