Tesla delivers 100th German car during Race of Champions

“One year ago I got one of the first Tesla in Europe and my expectations got more than fulfilled,” Hennig said. “I’m proud to be again part of an important milestone in the history of electric vehicles, and having the new world champion driving and sign my new Roadster makes it even better.”

Fredrik Johnsson, co-founder of the Race of Champions, handed the keys to Hennig at Dusseldorf’s Esprit Arena during the 2010 Race of Champions. During the two-day challenge, world-famous drivers including Sebastian Vettel, Michael Schumacher, Alain Prost, Travis Pastrana, Michèle Mouton, Carl Edwards and Tanner Foustraced Roadsters on the unique parallel course.

Former Formula 1 pilot and Tesla owner Erik Comas and five-time Belgian Touring Car Champion Pierre-Yves Rosoux also drove Roadsters during the ROC. Comas is purchasing a fleet of Roadsters as the cornerstone of his company Green Cars Challenge, which promotes zero-emission, high-speed fun on some of the world’s most scenic roads.

Tesla Roadster Sets the Pace!

In October 2009, the Roadster set a world record when owner Simon Hackett drove the entire 504-km (313-mile) segment of Australia’s annual Global Green Challenge on one charge. The Roadster performed in 24 Hours of Le Mans and distance rallies including e-Silvretta and e-Miglia in the Central Alps. The Roadster was the first to claim a triple victory in France’s 2010 Monte Carlo Alternative Energy Rally, and it won Zero Rally 2010, a zero-emission race from Oslo to Stavanger, Norway.

The Race of Champions last weekend in Dusseldorf marked Tesla’s biggest motorsports initiative. The four Roadsters in the competition were the first electric vehicles ever to compete in this prestigious annual series. The ROC-modified Roadsters have FIA-approved racing cages, new brake pads, carbon fiber racing seats, six-point harnesses and other special equipment.

“It’s silent but blindingly quick!” said Fredrik Johnsson, the ROC co-founder and president of International Media Productions. “I’m proud that The Race of Champions is leading the way in promoting green technologies in motorsport and it was fantastic to see — but not hear — such great drivers pushing the Tesla hard around this track.”

Tesla’s goal is to produce increasingly affordable electric cars to mainstream buyers – relentlessly driving down the cost of electric vehicles with lithium ion batteries. Based in California’s Silicon Valley, Tesla has delivered more than 1,400 Roadsters to customers in at least 30 countries in North America, Europe and Asia. Tesla designs, develops, manufactures and sells electric vehicles and electric car powertrain components. The Tesla Roadster accelerates faster than most sports cars yet produces no emissions.

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