It was almost inevitable that sooner or later there would be Teslas racing professionally, but we did not see this coming. Dubbed the Electric GT World Series, the intent is to become the first 100% zero-emissions GT championship. That sounds like a reach, until you look at the other all-EV series, Formula E, and realize that there really isn’t a connection between the cars and the fans. For Electric GT, there will be a connection to the vehicles…at first, the ten teams will be using the Tesla Model S P85+ as a standard platform.

According to Agustin Paya, the technical director for Electric GT Holdings (the owner and promotor of the series), “We chose the Tesla Model S simply because it is one of the best cars ever made, and certainly one of the best 100% electric cars. We are convinced that sharing it’s impressive circuit racing potential will help to inspire many people towards sustainable transport. Although it is a luxurious super tourer, it seems to be made for racing. It’s weight distribution and astonishing low center of gravity, despite it’s considerable mass…more than two tons unmodified…allows unbelievable cornering speed, nor forgetting it’s unending torque, which all add up to a great racing car.”

The Tesla certainly would fit the bill of a sporty GT. In stock form, the P85+ can 0-60 in 3.2 seconds and run a deep 12-second quarter mile. For a startup race series, that is plenty capable, and the race cars will have upgraded suspensions, brakes, improved cooling systems (battery heat is an issue in Teslas that see hard use) and importantly, will go on a diet to reduce that two-ton mass.

What do you think? Production-car racing is awesome, but would you have an interest in seeing Teslas playing on tracks like Catalunya’s F1 circuit and the Mugello circuit?

(Courtesy: motorsport.com)