EGT's Tesla model S stars in Autosport Show's live action arena 13.01.2017: The race-prepared Tesla Model S, which is set to contest the Electric GT Championship, the world’s first 100% zero-emissions GT

The race-prepared Tesla Model S, which is set to contest the Electric GT Championship, the world’s first 100% zero-emissions GT championship, was demonstrated for the first time in front of enthusiastic crowds in Autosport International’s Live Action Arena.





The annual Autosport International Show at Birmingham’s NEC Arena is a popular fixture on the motorsport calendar and gave prominent billing to the EGT Championship’s Tesla Model S in the Live Action Arena, where it became the first electric-powered race car to participate.



The championship, which aims to create a sustainable future to protect the next generations, is exhibiting at stand 6250 opposite tyre partners Pirelli, and will star in several Live Action Arena performances until the show’s close on Sunday (15 January).



2011 LMP2 Le Mans 24 Hours winner and EGT Drivers’ Club’s newest member Olivier Lombard was at the wheel of the Model S in Thursday’s performance, giving fans a taster of what they can expect from the 778 bhp (585kW) electric motor.


“Driving the EGT Model S was a lot of fun and it’s awesome to see what the future of GT racing looks like,” said Lombard. “It was a fantastic spectacle for those who watched and with several more performances over the next few days, it’s one the fans certainly don’t want to miss.



“I’d like to thank Mark [Gemmell] and the rest of the EGT crew for inviting me along and giving me such a great experience. I’m very excited to be a part of their Drivers’ Club, which is continuing to grow and already has a number of great names.”



Lombard will again drive the car in Friday’s Live Action Arena performances, with EGT technical director Agustin Payá and Drivers’ Club member Ricardo Teixeira in the cockpit on Saturday and Sunday respectively.



Electric GT Championship CEO Mark Gemmell added: “The first Live Action Arena performance, in which our EGT Tesla Model S performed, went very well. Olivier put on an excellent show and we have enjoyed working with such a brilliant driver. I’m delighted to have him as the newest member of our Drivers’ Club.



“The next few days will see more of these performances, with some other drivers taking part including Agustin [Payá] and Ricardo [Teixeira]. It has also been great to see the amount of interest from everyone at the Autosport Show and the staff have been very welcoming.”



The EGT Championship will consist of 20 international drivers, both male and female, racing for 10 professional teams in identical Tesla Model S machines equipped with the latest OMP safety equipment and running on bespoke Pirelli tyres. EGT will visit seven classic European circuits in its inaugural season, including Paul Ricard, Barcelona, Assen and the Nürburgring, before staging three non-championship races in the Americas.







About Electric GT Championship – New zero-emissions motorsport category promoting sustainable mobility
The championship was announced on 9 March 2016, with the Tesla Model S P100D chosen for the first season, which will get underway in 2017. There will be 10 teams and 20 drivers, who will compete across seven races during season one. Weekends will consist of a 20-minute practice session, 60-minute qualifying, a day race (60km) and a dusk race (60km). Each round will be a weekend-long festival of technology and innovation for sustainability, in and around the circuits. Fans will be able to stream races via Periscope, Twitch and YouTube, as well as interact directly with the teams using social media platforms.




- Anthony Peacock, photo Jakob Ebrey