Just came back from my first track day at VIR Grand (in any car). I have 10 days on VIR Full now, but Grand adds almost an entire mile of low-speed, tight corners. It was a lot of fun. My goal for the day was to hit 3:00 and I just managed to do that. Unfortunately, the Chademo at VIR is still broken, so I was stuck using my jury-rigged HPWC at 45 Amps. I ran one session in the AM and did 8 laps to learn the line. For the PM session, I started at 90%SOC and drove one warm-up lap. I started my fast lap with 80%SOC. It was not the cleanest lap, there were several corners that could be improved on, but ultimately I am happy with the results considering I had only driven 9 laps on Grand by that point!
I think it is interesting to compare to Car and Driver's Lightning Lap list. The Model 3 Performance would fall into their LL2 Class. Given, my car is modified, but most of those increase longevity (of the tires and brakes) and not so much actually make the car go faster for one hot-lap. I think a semi-professional driver with experience at VIR Grand could break 3:00 with a stock Model 3 Performance relatively easily.
So the car's in LL2 that would beat the Model 3 are as follows:
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, 2:53.8
2018 Ford Mustang GT Performance Package Level 2, 2:53.8
2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE, 2:54.8
2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, 2:57.5
2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, 2:58.8
2019 BMW M2 Competition, 2:59.7
2016 Cadillac ATS-V, 2:59.8
And car's the Model 3 would edge out:
2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z51, 3:01.2
2020 Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium, 3:01.4
2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE, 3:01.5
The trend here is that every other car on the list is a 2-door sports coupe, not a "luxury" 5-seater sedan.
I know the Model 3 Performance has also been compared to the BMW F80/F82 M3 and M4. The M4 ran exactly the same time (2015 BMW M4, 3:00.7). This also coincides with the lap time of a 2006 Ford GT and 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S.
I note all of this to make a point; the Model 3 Performance is certainly a drivers car, and it is very quick around a track considering its weight and price. As EV technology continues to improve, we will see them start to dominate on the track. I look forward to seeing what the new Roadster and Plaid S will do. Now, if Tesla would start installing Superchargers at tracks, that would really make my day!
I think it is interesting to compare to Car and Driver's Lightning Lap list. The Model 3 Performance would fall into their LL2 Class. Given, my car is modified, but most of those increase longevity (of the tires and brakes) and not so much actually make the car go faster for one hot-lap. I think a semi-professional driver with experience at VIR Grand could break 3:00 with a stock Model 3 Performance relatively easily.
So the car's in LL2 that would beat the Model 3 are as follows:
2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, 2:53.8
2018 Ford Mustang GT Performance Package Level 2, 2:53.8
2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE, 2:54.8
2013 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, 2:57.5
2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport, 2:58.8
2019 BMW M2 Competition, 2:59.7
2016 Cadillac ATS-V, 2:59.8
And car's the Model 3 would edge out:
2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z51, 3:01.2
2020 Toyota Supra 3.0 Premium, 3:01.4
2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE, 3:01.5
The trend here is that every other car on the list is a 2-door sports coupe, not a "luxury" 5-seater sedan.
I know the Model 3 Performance has also been compared to the BMW F80/F82 M3 and M4. The M4 ran exactly the same time (2015 BMW M4, 3:00.7). This also coincides with the lap time of a 2006 Ford GT and 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S.
I note all of this to make a point; the Model 3 Performance is certainly a drivers car, and it is very quick around a track considering its weight and price. As EV technology continues to improve, we will see them start to dominate on the track. I look forward to seeing what the new Roadster and Plaid S will do. Now, if Tesla would start installing Superchargers at tracks, that would really make my day!
