A 2011 Tesla Roadster is lining up against five high performance internal combustion (ICE) vehicles competing in the Targa West rally in Perth.
The Tesla, driven by Jurgen and Helen Lunsmann, is challenging a Mazda RX7, BMW 335i, Porsche 911, Lotus Elise and a Holden VF SSV.
The 900km, four-day rally ends on August 12.
The Roadster is running under the name of charging infrastructure system providers Gemtek, RenewEconomy reports.
It’s Gemtek’s third year in the rally, having previously been represented by Joseph Law in 2016 and Jurgen in 2017, both driving a BMW i3, Gemtek’s Florian Popp says.
About 25,000 spectators attending the event, Popp says one challenge is being heard above the crowd — and the roar of petrol engines. “We find the rivalry now is breathing new life into motorsport, because the two are so opposed…electric vehicles stand to revolutionise motorsports just because of the performance.”
The Roadster has a 360km range, but racing conditions means it will be about a third of that, so Gemtek developed a mobile charging infrastructure which will be delivered where needed via a support car.
Data obtained from the Tesla after the race will be almost as important as trying to win and will be used to make modifications for the 2019 rally campaign.
The electric car is also being used to help the Motor Trades Association of WA give their apprentices experience with electric cars.
Popp says the Tesla roadster was built on the Lotus chassis, so is suitable for rally, even though it’s an early model.
