A huge congratulations are in order to our friend and client Cameron Rogers who just took his Performance Model 3 back to Laguna Seca to see how much quicker he could go after installing a pile of aftermarket parts, including our suspension arms, brake lines and prototype AWD Sports coilovers.
We were able to achieve some really strong lap times at Buttonwillow Raceway while competing in Global Time Attack’s Super Lap event, but since few other EV’s compete there it was hard to get a benchmark of just how quick the car is. With Cameron returning to Laguna Seca, we have some great comparables!
With the bone stock Performance Model 3, Cameron ran a 1:46.8 lap time at Laguna. After adding our MPP components, as well as custom brake pads, racing brake fluid, Maier racing front + rear spoilers, Track Mode, and Hoosier A7 DOT tires, Cameron ran 1:41.28! This makes it the fastest road-legal EV to ever turn laps around Laguna Seca, and we’re incredibly proud to have contributed to Cameron’s achievement.
As mentioned, Laguna Seca is the track to run at if you’re going for an EV production record, there are some great examples to compare to. Many of these times were set with professional drivers, so being the fastest production car on the list, even with some modifications, is no small feat! Click the laptime for YouTube videos of the laps.
Tesla Model 3 LR Cameron Rogers stock: 1:54.2
Tesla Model 3 LR Cameron Rogers w/mods: 1:48.6
Jaguar I-Pace Randy Pobst stock: 1.48.1
Tesla Model S P100D Lucid test driver: 1:47.6
Tesla Model 3 Performance Cameron Rogers stock: 1:46.8
Tesla Model S P100D Tesla test driver: 1:43.0
Lucid Air prototype (non-production, full roll cage): 1:41.6
Tesla Model 3 Performance Cameron Rogers w/mods: 1:41.2
Lucid Air prototype (non-production, full roll cage, race tires): 1:39.3
Great job Cameron!
Alright then, let’s check out the lap! You’ll see how well balanced and composed the car is even in the large compressions. The chassis has significantly more suspension travel available compared to factory, and this is especially significant at Laguna Seca where the big compressions would normally cause the car to go solid and become unpredictable. We’ve tuned our spring rates, dampers and bump rubbers to use all of the available chassis travel, without going over the edge. In fact, you can see that Cameron’s car lightly scrapes in the corkscrew – something he mentioned only happens on the 18″ Hoosier tires since they are such a small diameter. On the factory 20″ wheels the body of the car didn’t bottom anywhere!
Despite the suspension being designed for street use, you see no evidence of a loss of control – something that happens when dampers are valved too soft – even in these large compressions and big curb hits at Laguna Seca. We think it’s really important to point out that the ride of this suspension system is very comparable to stock. Softer even in some regards. So we’re so pleased to be able to have this level of track capability with such a comfortable, street-focused setup, and this just goes to show how powerful and significant the adjustment range of our dampers is.
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