Tesla Roadster to star in world’s first electric sports car championship? - LotusTalk

Wimbledon · 02-02-2009, 06:42 AM

The Tesla Roadster, an electric sports car based on the Lotus Elise, has generated intense interest in the Middle East.

Two separate groups, one in Dubai and one in Qatar, are each in serious talks with Tesla Motors as they compete to establish the world’s first electric sports car championship racing series featuring Tesla Roadsters. Time will tell if either group succeeds in the face of the worldwide economic recession and Tesla Motors’ ongoing financial difficulties. What is not in question however is the Roadster’s performance – with a 0-60 MPH acceleration time of less than four seconds, the Roadster should prove fast enough to enthrall race fans.

While Tesla Roadsters are not currently sold in the Middle East, European Tesla sales and marketing director Simon Rochefort has indicated that a Middle East Tesla distribution network is in development and should be finalized within the next few years. Rochefort went on to mention that some individuals in the Middle East had already purchased Tesla Roadsters in the United States and imported them on their own.

A group in Dubai is also looking to bundle Tesla Roadsters with homes on a new energy-independent island in the Persian Gulf. In addition, the group is interested in creating a rental fleet of Tesla Roadsters and a taxi fleet made up of Tesla’s upcoming Model S sedans.

RichS · 02-02-2009, 06:59 AM

One friendly oil rich sheik and all of Tesla's money problems go away.

def · 02-03-2009, 01:56 PM

That would be one ironic move for an oil rich sheik... investing in technology that will put him out of business

SweetDaddyD · 02-03-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wimbledon

.... should be finalized within the next few years..

Wake us up when that happens.

fitfan · 02-03-2009, 05:50 PM

it would be awesome to see them do a 180 minute race

hahahaha

Wimbledon · 02-05-2009, 02:34 PM

UPDATE: No factory-backed Tesla racing series for now

From Lotus Enthusiast:

A few days ago we brought you breaking news of efforts by two groups in the Middle East to establish a one-make Tesla Roadster racing series.

Our friends at AutoblogGreen contacted Tesla communications manager Rachel Konrad for an official comment:

"I can confirm we've seen increased demand in the Middle East in recent months, and some customers there have said that they may race their Roadsters. The Roadster's acceleration certainly makes it competitive against other premium sports cars, so it's not surprising that some customers are interested in competitions. However, Tesla itself has no plans to officially sponsor or endorse a racing series, and the company remains focused on ramping up production and delivering cars to about 1,000 customers who have not yet taken delivery."

Basically, don’t expect to see an officially factory-backed Tesla racing series in the near future. However, we may still very well see a Tesla one-make racing series organized by Tesla enthusiasts including the two groups previously mentioned.

02-02-2009, 06:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Wimbledon Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: USA Posts: 213	Tesla Roadster to star in world’s first electric sports car championship? The Tesla Roadster, an electric sports car based on the Lotus Elise, has generated intense interest in the Middle East. Two separate groups, one in Dubai and one in Qatar, are each in serious talks with Tesla Motors as they compete to establish the world’s first electric sports car championship racing series featuring Tesla Roadsters. Time will tell if either group succeeds in the face of the worldwide economic recession and Tesla Motors’ ongoing financial difficulties. What is not in question however is the Roadster’s performance – with a 0-60 MPH acceleration time of less than four seconds, the Roadster should prove fast enough to enthrall race fans. While Tesla Roadsters are not currently sold in the Middle East, European Tesla sales and marketing director Simon Rochefort has indicated that a Middle East Tesla distribution network is in development and should be finalized within the next few years. Rochefort went on to mention that some individuals in the Middle East had already purchased Tesla Roadsters in the United States and imported them on their own. A group in Dubai is also looking to bundle Tesla Roadsters with homes on a new energy-independent island in the Persian Gulf. In addition, the group is interested in creating a rental fleet of Tesla Roadsters and a taxi fleet made up of Tesla’s upcoming Model S sedans. Last edited by RacyTracy : 02-02-2009 at 03:13 PM.

02-02-2009, 06:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,285	One friendly oil rich sheik and all of Tesla's money problems go away. __________________ Useful links to vendors removed at Nadeem's request. "Nice avatar by the way, I doubt Colin Chapman would have followed the herd as I have seen many here do. --Nadeem"

02-03-2009, 01:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
def ...ault Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 2,609	That would be one ironic move for an oil rich sheik... investing in technology that will put him out of business __________________ //kevin - 05 Graphite Gray - Red Touring / LSS / Starshield / Stage 2 + more SOLD

02-03-2009, 05:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
fitfan Regurgitated User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Diego! Posts: 4,089	it would be awesome to see them do a 180 minute race hahahaha __________________ Driving it around!

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02-05-2009, 02:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wimbledon Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: USA Posts: 213	UPDATE: No factory-backed Tesla racing series for now From Lotus Enthusiast: A few days ago we brought you breaking news of efforts by two groups in the Middle East to establish a one-make Tesla Roadster racing series. Our friends at AutoblogGreen contacted Tesla communications manager Rachel Konrad for an official comment: "I can confirm we've seen increased demand in the Middle East in recent months, and some customers there have said that they may race their Roadsters. The Roadster's acceleration certainly makes it competitive against other premium sports cars, so it's not surprising that some customers are interested in competitions. However, Tesla itself has no plans to officially sponsor or endorse a racing series, and the company remains focused on ramping up production and delivering cars to about 1,000 customers who have not yet taken delivery." Basically, don’t expect to see an officially factory-backed Tesla racing series in the near future. However, we may still very well see a Tesla one-make racing series organized by Tesla enthusiasts including the two groups previously mentioned.

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