I first drove a Tesla Model S 85 in 2014 and decided then and there that I had to have one in the future. I then autocrossed a 2019 Model 3 Performance with Mountainpass suspension and RT660 tires and took FTD at a local event. That sealed the deal for me; I had to figure out how to have one. Eventually I made it happen and took delivery of my Model 3 Performance in December 2023 and immediately spent the EV tax credit I got in March on wheels, tires and suspension modifications. The car was very fast for what it was, but I didn't have quite the edge on the really fast competitors because of the weight. I pulled about 90 lbs out of the car, added stiffer springs, aero, wider wheels and tires and revalved shocks for the 2026 season. Thanks to those changes and adjusting my driving style to be a little less aggressive on turn-in after switching from A052's to RE71RZ's I've been able to set some of the best times yet in the car. There are still some changes needed to help cure the understeer on corner exit, but I'll experiment with stiffer adjustable front and rear bars, upgraded bushings and get the car corner balanced/re-aligned to round out the modifications. The car placed 3rd in GTU and 3rd overall in 2025 Summit Racing Autocross week and with the 2026 upgrades it took 1st in GTU and 1st overall. The car drove from Pittsburgh, down to Bowling Green/Nashville, competed for 4 days, then drove home on the same tires. It was rock solid reliable and didn't have a single fault in the 1,500 miles put on it over the course of the racing week.
