A 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance has now won first place in the 130 class of Australia’s Targa West Rally for the first time by almost 10 minutes, according to The Driven. The Model 3 Performance won out over a number of conventional gas cars, most notably, a Holden Commodore VF SS V which landed second after the Model 3.
The victory was attained by veteran drivers Jurgen and Helen Lunsmann, driven for the EV charging company Gemtek, and it was also the first time an EV won the 130 class of the race.
Another exciting Targa West Rally kicked at Forrest Place on 22 October.
Gemtek Group’s Tesla Model 3 and the team is aiming to take a podium at Langley Park in an #ev. Come and watch the race!
Targa Westhttps://t.co/tCwXGRvj9C#TargaWest #TarmacRally #EV #RoadSafety #eCall pic.twitter.com/eF8rYIcmS8— IMR Technologies (@imrtech) October 26, 2020
The Tesla team used a set of mobile charging systems designed by engineer Jon Edwards to keep its batteries charged at 80% throughout the race to retain the best range and performance possible.
Gemtek co-founder Florian Popp “The critical part to the win was that we were able to maintain battery charge above 80% for almost the entire race, by having 3 separate mobile chargers, which we coordinated to be in the correct locations as the rally progressed over four days and the 1,000km.”
In August, the Lunsmanns’ Tesla Model 3 also won out in the Targa South West Rally, that time over a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7. The Tesla Model 3 is now becoming a consistent race winner around the world, signalling the need for conventional gas cars to make the transition to zero-emission vehicles – if they want to keep up, at least.
