Newbie with a Tesla

[roger reid]

Hi all. My 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport chassis is made by Lotus and looks very close to an Elise. I hope you all will adopt me. I plan to autocross my car and am looking for good tips.

Thanks, Roger

[Elise8206]

Roger Roger
you are in the group Welcome

[Uncle Sam]

Welcome. Please post some pictures.

I would think that tires will be your first priority. Search for AutoX suspension suggestions, I'd bet there are pages of information on setting up an Elise that could be applied to your Tesla. Good luck.

[MikeinAlexandria]

Your car was assembled in the Lotus Factory. It is as close to an electric Elise as it can get! And I, at least, love it, so welcome!

I would drive around a bit, get used to the handling, and of course how the battery life is affected by your driving style.

Don't change anything just yet, do some autocrosses with the car as stock. Once you feel like you are reaching the handling limitations, take a look at tyres. And, of course, have fun!

[Aedo]

Welcome

I agree with Mike - drive it stock for a while (make sure the alignment is accurate though - it isn't always on Elises from new) to learn the car.

Have fun!!

[Tejs]

I would figure HPDE's would be more your style... auto reviews say the thing is wicked fast around a track because of the instant torque, but that the handling is broadly inferior for what it should be, which I think would be a detraction at autocross.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm probably talking out of my rectum, since I've never had the privilege of driving one, but are the auto reviewers correct?

[roger reid]

Originally Posted by Tejs

I would figure HPDE's would be more your style... auto reviews say the thing is wicked fast around a track because of the instant torque, but that the handling is broadly inferior for what it should be, which I think would be a detraction at autocross.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm probably talking out of my rectum, since I've never had the privilege of driving one, but are the auto reviewers correct?

I have autocrossed my car one time. The electric is quick up to about 70 due to the instant torque. The front end pushes quite a bit. It also needs better pads. I put Hawk H10 pads (Sector 111) and they feel better.

My first Autocross - Tesla Motors Club Forum

My goal right now is to reduce the understeer.

[Newhouse]

Welcome.
Your post on the tesla forum that you lost power. In the link below, tesla also lost power.
Had a 3-Way...Tesla, Elise SC, Elise NA

[lustrazor]

Originally Posted by roger reid

My goal right now is to reduce the understeer.

You have 2 paths to reduce understeer. You can upgrade the tires & suspension or adjust your driving style (learn to avoid understeer).

I recommend keeping stock as long as possible. You just learn more that way and become a better driver in the long run.

[Frank Amoroso]

Originally Posted by Tejs

I would figure HPDE's would be more your style... auto reviews say the thing is wicked fast around a track because of the instant torque, but that the handling is broadly inferior for what it should be, which I think would be a detraction at autocross.

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm probably talking out of my rectum, since I've never had the privilege of driving one, but are the auto reviewers correct?

I didn't get to drive the Tesla in anger, but from what I've experienced, I tend to agree with what you're sayin'...
Will this BWR bar fit the Tesla? Oh yeah, my Tesla review for you LTers...

[Administrator]

Welcome to the community!

Nadeem

[mjf]

There's been a few Tesla's showing up at the weekly exotics and coffee meets out here. One day we tried swapping soft tops, yup. they're compatible. Same can of fix-a-flat too.

As to autocrossing, I think I would worry more about overheating. Doesn't the Tesla's brain have some sort of "reduced power if I get too hot" mode?

[Jrastafari]

Welcome! I have been lurking here for a while and decided that I should start posting here seeing all the great knowledge on the site. Is the Tesla really as fast as they showed on Top Gear?

- DB

[Allan Gibbs]

Welcome and ignore the "Are we friends with Tesla owners" thread. Some of us are just crabby.

I'd love to hear your opinions on the Tesla.

[mjf]

Originally Posted by Jrastafari

Is the Tesla really as fast as they showed on Top Gear?

Top Gear is about as real as The Daily Show. Which, sadly can be pretty real, but mostly it's for the entertainment value. =) Which is to say, take it with a grain of salt.

From talking to Tesla owners, the car is about as fast as an supercharged Elise/Exige up to about 100mph, after which the Elise/Exige is going to be faster. The Tesla should be clearly faster than a NA car at low speeds.

The lighter Elise/Exige will corner better, but the electric Tesla should be able to accelerate out of the turns better. There's clearly some trade offs. All in all, they're all very similar in that they're a lot of fun to drive and get some attention where ever you go.

From the above posts I think you can gather that a Tesla with better brakes is going to be a good car on track or autocross. Though for how many runs before needing to cool down remains to be seen. I fully expect that as people try it more, cooling solutions will be developed, either on board, or between runs, to deal with it.

my $0.02 =)

[mjf]

Originally Posted by Jrastafari

Is the Tesla really as fast as they showed on Top Gear?

Here's a Tesla leaving E@RTC. I'm the very next car too. =) The Tesla is at 1m 36s, I tried to do the correct syntax: " /watch?v=3OR6C7_2OPE#t=1m36s " but the forums seem to strip out the time index so you'll have to jump ahead yourself. (or paste into your browser)

Tesla and Elise leaving E@RTC, jump to 1m36s

Tesla and Lotus 72D leaving Exotics @ RTC