It was a special race with an even more special opponent: America’s Robbie Balenger outran a Tesla Model 3 RWD. The top speed of the Tesla may have been higher, Balenger lasted longer than the electric car. With a speed of 105 km/h the Tesla covered a distance of 390 km. Balenger needed nearly 77 hours to complete the same route, but he stopped moving just a bit later than the Tesla: 30 meters to be exact.
Balanger had hoped to stick to a “pace” of 100 miles (ca. 161 km) in 24 hours, which would have resulted in a finish time of 72 hours, but due to rough weather conditions he needed a bit longer. “Three straight days of unrelenting 90+ degree weather killed that plan”, he explains. “In the end, I was able to out-distance the Tesla in just shy of 77 hours. It was absolutely brutal, but we got it done.”
Of course, Balenger didn’t run everything in just one go. The ultra athlete rested for 8.5 hours in between. While Balenger needed 77 hours, the Tesla reached its maximum distance in only 3:42 hours. And that without any breaks. The maximum distance of the car would be longer, if it were to drive slower. It would have been more difficult for Balenger to beat the Tesla then.
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