At this year's Race Of Champions, Tesla->ke1842 wanted to prove that electric cars could race too, so they brought a racing version of their famous electric Roadster. Not much was done to the car in preparation for the race because, well, the Tesla can already make it to 60mph in less than four seconds and has a top speed of 125mph. All Tesla needed to do was prepare the interior for a safe and proper race.
The Tesla Roadster racing version received a rollcage, special signalized tow elements, and an electric circuit kill switch, while the driver and passenger seats were stripped out. A new driver's seat made of carbon fiber was added to complete the interior.
"I’m lucky to have had a ride in the Tesla Roadster->ke1843 and I was really impressed. It’s silent but blindingly quick! I’m proud that The Race of Champions is leading the way in promoting green technologies in motorsport and it was fantastic to see – but not hear – such great drivers pushing the Tesla hard around this track," said IMP President Fredrik Johnsson.
Piloting one of the first ever electric vehicles to race in the Race of Champions->ke2212 was Formula 1 World Champions Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost.
Press release after the jump.
2011 Tesla Roadster Race Car
- Make: Array
- Model: 2011 Tesla Roadster Race Car
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Press release
Ever the pioneer of innovative concepts in motorsport, The Race of Champions took a step into a green future with several demonstration runs featuring the electric-powered cars on the unique parallel track at the ESPRIT arena.
The drivers due to compete in today’s ROC Nations Cup and Sunday’s Race of Champions took turns behind the wheel – including Formula 1 world champions Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost.
The Tesla Roadster is the world’s only zero-emission supercar – the only car that embodies the once-conflicting ideals of performance and efficiency. The Roadster accelerates from 0- 100 km/h in under four seconds and has an electronically limited top-line speed of 201 km/h , yet it can be fully or partially recharged by renewable energy, including solar or wind power.
Based in California ‘s Silicon Valley , Tesla Motors has won critical acclaim from some of the world’s most renowned motoring enthusiasts. Since 2008 Tesla has delivered nearly 1,400 Roadsters to customers in at least 30 countries, including professional drivers who have raced their Roadsters on some of the world’s toughest circuits. But The Race of Champions marks Tesla’s biggest and most important entry into the world of motorsport.
The Race of Champions has been staged every year since 1988, founded by IMP President Fredrik Johnsson and Michèle Mouton, the world’s most successful female rally driver. The competition pits the greats of motorsport head-to-head on a parallel track in identical machinery.
Johnsson said: “I’m lucky to have had a ride in the Tesla Roadster and I was really impressed. It’s silent but blindingly quick! I’m proud that The Race of Champions is leading the way in promoting green technologies in motorsport and it was fantastic to see – but not hear – such great drivers pushing the Tesla hard around this track.”