EV's banned from racing @ Florida track

[stitcherbob]

The smart money is on the tesla. All wheel drive, impervious to atmospheric and track temperature changes and would run within.050 from run to run literally forever. That's why most tracks have banned them from competing against ICE race cars at money bracket racers. Plenty of articles on line about this.

I don't follow them so I did a Google AI search and here's the verdict:

Common Problems and Reported Issues Tesla Plaid

• Build Quality & Quality Control: Reports include significant cabin noise (rattles, squeaks), misaligned panels, wind noise, and issues with door handles.
• Electronic Issues: Reports of seat adjustment failures, malfunctioning door buttons, and issues with the center infotainment screen.
• Performance Wear: The high-performance nature of the Plaid leads to accelerated wear on components like tires, suspension bushings, and brakes.
• SRS/Airbag System: Some units have required multiple repairs for persistent Airbag (SRS) light issues.
• 
  
• Conclusion
  While many issues are fixed through, or via, software updates, the Model S Plaid has been subject to a high number of NHTSA campaigns, requiring prospective buyers to confirm all, particularly hardware-related, recalls are completed.

Key Issues and Recalls (Demon 170 - 2023):

• Spark Plug Failure: The primary recall involves spark plugs that can seize or malfunction, leading to engine misfires and Check Engine lights.
• Power Loss: Many owners reported the 1,025-horsepower engine failing to deliver promised performance.
• Recall Procedure: Dodge is notifying owners via email to schedule free dealer service to replace the spark plugs.
• Other Potential Issues: Some reports have indicated minor oil leaks and potential fit-and-finish issues.
• 
  
• Previous Model (2018 Dodge Demon):
  • Cruise Control: A recall was issued in 2018 for a potential issue where the cruise control could, in rare instances, cause the vehicle to maintain speed or accelerate.

 

[GumbyWVU]

A capacitor

maybe a really, really long extension cord!

 

[stitcherbob]

maybe a really, really long extension cord!

Instead of dumping the laundry you end the run when a 1/4 mile of extension cord gets yanked out

 

[none]

A capacitor

Flux??

 

[twostep]

The smart money is on the tesla. All wheel drive, impervious to atmospheric and track temperature changes and would run within.050 from run to run literally forever. That's why most tracks have banned them from competing against ICE race cars at money bracket racers. Plenty of articles on line about this.

Absolutely on the Tesla. Very few base Demons (not the 170 version) have cracked the 9-second barrier (and only then in ideal conditions with drivers familiar with how to launch them) while mid 9s in a Plaid is a piece of cake. BUT if you do try hot lapping one the battery is going to not only lose charge (and power) but thermal degradation will also become a factor. I understand it takes nearly an hour to bring one to full charge and allow the battery to sufficiently cool.

A Demon 170 vs a Plaid is a pretty close race. For what it's worth there's videos of these two cars racing one another all over YouTube. My biggest problem with the Plaid is that in spite of its power it's got no sex appeal at all, unless you believe something that resembles a Ford Fusion with a whirring 'exhaust' is sexy. A Demon doesn't have a problem in that area.

 

[twostep]

Honest question - what's the difference between the battery in a full EV and a hybrid? The size of the battery? Is it volts/watts/amps (not an electrician so I don't know which one makes it dangerous)

About 800 pounds, 400-800 volts compared to a hybrid's typical 150-300 and about 5X as many amps. And here's some actual data on IV fires - in the US, raw data indicates engine related ICE vehicle fires outnumber EV battery related fires by a factor of 60 to 1. But it's like jet airliner crashes - they're rare but when one happens it's generally catastrophic.

 

[ironpony]

About 800 pounds, 400-800 volts compared to a hybrid's typical 150-300 and about 5X as many amps. And here's some actual data on IV fires - in the US, raw data indicates engine related ICE vehicle fires outnumber EV battery related fires by a factor of 60 to 1. But it's like jet airliner crashes - they're rare but when one happens it's generally catastrophic.

Although it is probably a factual statement how many ICE vehicles vs. EV's are there ?? with over 95% being ICE fires would be proportionately much less than an EV

 

[stitcherbob]

Has there been any reports of track surface damage from the heavy all wheel drive Teslas? Loss of built up rubber?

 

[z28]

Flux??

if you can find one!

 

[twostep]

Although it is probably a factual statement how many ICE vehicles vs. EV's are there ?? with over 95% being ICE fires would be proportionately much less than an EV

Doesn't matter. Those facts are number of fires per 100,000 units. EVs, 25, ICE, 1500. Not total fires but fires per 100K.

 

[ironpony]

Doesn't matter. Those facts are number of fires per 100,000 units. EVs, 25, ICE, 1500. Not total fires but fires per 100K.

Well you did not say that in your original post so there was no point of reference.

 

[z28]

the problem for the track is when one catches on fire they are for all practical purposes done for the day and probably digging up burned up asphalt or concrete. They will have no good way to put the fire out quickly.

 

[GumbyWVU]

Has there been any reports of track surface damage from the heavy all wheel drive Teslas? Loss of built up rubber?

don't the EVs have special tires that are much "harder" than typical car tires? For the low rolling resistance? Makes me wonder how good traction they'd provide.

 

[twostep]

Well you did not say that in your original post so there was no point of reference.

OK, Ken. It's since been clarified so I trust we're good now?

 

[twostep]

Has there been any reports of track surface damage from the heavy all wheel drive Teslas? Loss of built up rubber?

I wouldn't think so. The Plaid weighs 4800 pounds, or 1200 per tire. Some of those wheelstanding Super Stocks put down a lot more weight per tire than that as they carry the front wheels halfway to the 330. And on street nights there's lots of vehicles that weigh more....some of those coal rollers that show up come in at nearly 8000 pounds.

 

[z28]

don't the EVs have special tires that are much "harder" than typical car tires? For the low rolling resistance? Makes me wonder how good traction they'd provide.

look like standard performance tires Michelin pilot sport 4s is a replacement. they do wear out faster due to weight of vehicle

 

[Litefoot]

look like standard performance tires Michelin pilot sport 4s is a replacement. they do wear out faster due to weight of vehicle

What is factory stock tires and have they ever been used in the performance numbers talked about here

 

[twostep]

look like standard performance tires Michelin pilot sport 4s is a replacement. they do wear out faster due to weight of vehicle

Actually, the main reason they wear out is because they're a fairly soft compound, high performance summer tire designed to assist in handling. But one of the main reasons rear tires crap the bed on Teslas is the inherent amount of negative camber built into Teslas. It's quite visible when you view the car from the rear. Designed to assist in handling during aggressive driving, it's hell in inner tire wear which sometimes requires rear tire replacement in less than 10,000 miles - and they ain't cheap. And it's not adjustable unless an aftermarket kit is installed.

Stupid ass idea; most Tesla drivers don't drive them aggressively to begin with and as for the weight of the car, my Fatcat Hellcats weighed as much as a Plaid and there's no need for all that camber on them. I ran a set of those Michelins on my first Hellcat after the OEM Pirellis wore out; they lasted 15,000 miles, wore evenly and had about 25% tread remaining when I sold the car.

 

[twostep]

What is factory stock tires and have they ever been used in the performance numbers talked about here

On a plaid, 295/25/21 Michelin PIlot Sport 4S are optional tires for the rear (265/35/21 front) and most everyone who buys a Plaid opts for them. No need for drag radials. 9.50s/high 140s right out of the box. They started selling reasonably well once Tesla knocked the price down about 25 grand. I'm still not a player; looks like a Fusion and I've never been sold on Tesla's quality control. My Redeye would run 7.00s in the 660 if you got lucky and aced the rather tricky launch. Quick enough, it had 6 times the sex appeal, cheaper by $30K and most Dodge dealers could work on it.

 

[stitcherbob]

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