{"id":899951,"date":"2026-10-20T14:32:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T14:32:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/?p=899951"},"modified":"2026-10-20T14:32:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T14:32:30","slug":"tesla-model-s-plaid-dark-helmet-beats-mclaren-senna-and-porsche-918-at-willow-springs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/tesla-model-s-plaid-dark-helmet-beats-mclaren-senna-and-porsche-918-at-willow-springs\/","title":{"rendered":"Tesla Model S Plaid \u201cDark Helmet\u201d beats McLaren Senna and Porsche 918 at Willow Springs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Unplugged Performance\u2019s heavily modified Tesla Model S-APEX Plaid claimed the overall fastest time at the Willow Springs Reimagined Time Attack, beating a field of exotic machinery.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-9.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-899950\" src=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-9.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-9.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-9-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-9-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-9-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-9-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-9-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-9-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-9-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-9-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Unplugged Performance\u2019s &#8220;Dark Helmet\u201d is back on top. Driven by Craig Coker, the modified 2021 Tesla Model S-APEX Plaid won the Unlimited Class at the Petersen Museum\u2019s Willow Springs Reimagined Time Attack on October 17, posting a 52.125-second run from Turn 1 through Turn 5 at Big Willow. The electric sedan also recorded the fastest time of the day across all classes.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-4.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-899945\" src=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-4.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-4-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-4-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-4-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-4-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-4-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-4-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-4-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The competition included some serious performance hardware, with the entry list featuring the McLaren Senna, Porsche 918 Spyder, Aston Martin Valhalla, Gordon Murray T.50, McLaren 765LT, and McLaren Artura. Despite facing some of the world&#8217;s most celebrated supercars and hypercars, Dark Helmet emerged victorious.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-8.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-899949\" src=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-8.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-8.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-8-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-8-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-8-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-8-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-8-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-8-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-8-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-8-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;I trust the car to perform consistently. It\u2019s a well-developed and proven race-winning package at this point,&#8221;<\/em> Coker said, explaining that he felt immediately connected to the car despite not having driven it for a year.<\/p>\n<h3>Factory Tesla power, track-focused engineering<\/h3>\n<p>Dark Helmet\u2019s approach is different from that of many heavily modified race cars. The Model S Plaid retains its factory battery, tri-motor powertrain, and cooling system, relying on Tesla\u2019s standard Track Mode rather than aftermarket powertrain software tuning.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-7.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-899948\" src=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-7.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-7.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-7-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-7-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-7-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-7-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-7-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-7-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-7-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-7-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Instead, Unplugged Performance has concentrated on maximizing the platform\u2019s handling, grip, braking, and aerodynamic performance.<\/p>\n<p>For its latest outing, the car ran UP-03 lightweight forged wheels wrapped in racing slicks, with 330-millimeter tires at all four corners. The suspension setup includes UP x \u00d6hlins TTX four-way adjustable coilovers, billet adjustable front upper control arms, upgraded rear suspension arms, and a three-way adjustable rear sway bar.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-6.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-899947\" src=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-6.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-6-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-6-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-6-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-6-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-6-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-6-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-6-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Stopping power comes from Unplugged Performance\u2019s carbon-ceramic brake package at both axles, paired with competition brake pads and upgraded brake lines.<\/p>\n<p>The exterior features the UP S-APEX carbon-fiber widebody, complemented by a high-downforce aerodynamic package with a prominent front splitter, rear wing, and lower diffusers. Many of the car\u2019s suspension, braking, and wheel upgrades are available through Unplugged Performance.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-3.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-899944\" src=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-3.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-3-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-3-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-3-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-3-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-3-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>A familiar victory at Willow Springs<\/h3>\n<p>The latest win adds another achievement to Dark Helmet\u2019s growing track record. In 2023, Coker recorded a 1:20.03 lap of Big Willow in the car, which Unplugged Performance reported as a new EV lap record at the time. Dark Helmet later posted a 1:11.14 at the separate Streets of Willow circuit during Gridlife.<\/p>\n<p>For Coker, the return to competition delivered another opportunity to demonstrate what a properly developed electric performance car can do.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-5.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-899946\" src=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-5.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-5-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-5-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-5-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-5-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-5-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-5-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;As the only electric vehicle of the event, I\u2019m sure we surprised a lot of people,&#8221;<\/em> he said. <em>&#8220;It was a proud moment, and I loved sharing that with the UP team.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<p>With its factory tri-motor powertrain and extensive chassis upgrades, Dark Helmet continues to make a compelling case for electric performance on the track, even when the competition includes some of the most capable combustion-powered machines in the world.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-899943\" src=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-2.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-2-100x56.jpg 100w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-2-770x433.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-2-500x281.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-2-293x165.jpg 293w, https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-2-1400x788.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unplugged Performance\u2019s heavily modified Tesla Model S-APEX Plaid claimed the overall fastest time at the Willow Springs Reimagined Time Attack, beating a field of exotic machinery. Unplugged Performance\u2019s &#8220;Dark Helmet\u201d is back on top. Driven by Craig Coker, the modified 2021 Tesla Model S-APEX Plaid won the Unlimited Class at the Petersen Museum\u2019s Willow Springs Reimagined Time Attack on October 17, posting a 52.125-second run from Turn 1 through Turn 5 at Big Willow. The electric sedan also recorded the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":899942,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1665],"tags":[24150,11355,1053],"class_list":["post-899951","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tesla","tag-dark-helmet","tag-willow-springs","tag-tesla"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Tesla Model S Plaid \u201cDark Helmet\u201d beats McLaren Senna and Porsche 918 at Willow Springs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/tesla-model-s-plaid-dark-helmet-beats-mclaren-senna-and-porsche-918-at-willow-springs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Tesla Model S Plaid \u201cDark Helmet\u201d beats McLaren Senna and Porsche 918 at Willow Springs\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Unplugged Performance\u2019s heavily modified Tesla Model S-APEX Plaid claimed the overall fastest time at the Willow Springs Reimagined Time Attack, beating a field of exotic machinery. Unplugged Performance\u2019s &#8220;Dark Helmet\u201d is back on top. Driven by Craig Coker, the modified 2021 Tesla Model S-APEX Plaid won the Unlimited Class at the Petersen Museum\u2019s Willow Springs Reimagined Time Attack on October 17, posting a 52.125-second run from Turn 1 through Turn 5 at Big Willow. The electric sedan also recorded the [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/tesla-model-s-plaid-dark-helmet-beats-mclaren-senna-and-porsche-918-at-willow-springs\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Supercars.net\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Supercars.net\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-10-20T14:32:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/www.supercars.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Unplugged-Performance-Dark-Helmet-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mark Smeyers\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@supercars_net\" \/>\n<meta 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