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Blake Fuller Sets Pikes Peak Record In Tesla Model S In EV Production Class

Blake Fuller, the driver who we previously announced as a contender for Pikes Peak record for production electric cars, has accomplished his task and set a new record.

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/blake-fuller-sets-pikes-peak-record-in-tesla-model-s-in-ev-production-class-108879.html#

Blake Fuller's Tesla Model S for Pikes PeakThe 100th Pikes Peak International Hill Climb took place last weekend, and Blake Fuller drove a Tesla Model S on the course in 11 minutes and 48 seconds, beating the previous record by over a minute.

While the vehicle was registered in the Electric Production class, it did feature a few modifications. First of all, like any car that is entered in a competition, it featured a roll cage.

Secondly, Fuller's Model S had a battery which was lighter than the original, and came without the failsafe which could have limited power in certain situations.

The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb has had its 100th running this year, and the configuration of the course remains full tarmac.

In case some of you have forgotten, we are talking about 156 corners on a 12.42-miles course (19.99 kilometers).

Just like in regular hill climb events, the PPIHC does not feature a co-driver, so each pilot is forced to memorize the course, unlike rallying, where a co-driver is mandatory. Most races of this type have a course that is half the length of Pikes Peak. However, this is the challenge of the “Race To the Clouds.”

Roy Richards set the previous record in the Electric Production class, with a time of 12 minutes and 55 seconds. Meanwhile, in the Electric Modified class, the record set in 2015 by Rhys Millen was 9 minutes and 7 seconds. Even after this year’s race, Sebastien Loeb’s compelling record, set in 2013 aboard a Peugeot 208 T16, still stands.

Blake Fuller has been competing in hill climb events since he was 18 years old. He is currently the owner of Go Puck and Braille Battery, and has experience in tuning lithium-ion batteries for motorsport applications. So an entry with an electric vehicle in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb should have not surprised anyone, especially since the pilot is not a stranger to the Colorado event.