Jim Glickenhaus challenges Elon Musk to a Cybertruck showdown in the Baja 1000
12-31-20, 10:14 AM
#1
Jim Glickenhaus challenges Elon Musk to a Cybertruck showdown in the Baja 1000
He wants to prove hydrogen fuel cells aren't as dumb as Musk claims
Jim Glickenhaus has challenged Elon Musk to race in the 2023 edition of the Baja 1000. Posted on social media, the duel invitation aims to prove the merits of hydrogen-electric technology.
"You have said that hydrogen technology is 'mind-bogglingly stupid.' You've also mentioned that the Baja 1000 would be a great test for your Cybertruck. We say bring it," wrote Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus on Instagram.
Tesla boss Musk made the comments referenced by Glickenhaus in 2019. He called fuel cells "fool cells," added that the technology is "a load of rubbish," and concluded that "success is simply not possible." Musk became one of the richest people in the world by selling battery electric cars, so his stance on hydrogen is not entirely surprising.
Glickenhaus evidently stands on the pro-hydrogen side of the industry, among manufacturers like Toyota, BMW, Hyundai, and Ineos. Although his company primarily builds race cars powered by gasoline, he predicted that a hydrogen-electric variant of the Boot (pictured) could finish the 1,000-mile Baja without stopping to refuel, a feat that would give the team a big time advantage over its rivals. In comparison, the top-of-the-line Cybertruck will allegedly offer a 500-plus-mile range, so it would need to stop and charge at least once to finish the race.
"We have a nice relationship with [sanctioning body] SCORE International, and we would be happy to help you navigate entry and find a good place to set up charging stations for your Cybertruck," SCG added. Glickenhaus won first in its class twice, in 2020 and in 2019, and it beat several big-name rivals, such as Ford's born-again Bronco.
Musk hasn't responded. If he accepts the challenge, the Baja 1000 would become the first major race Tesla participates in. It sounds like the hydrogen-powered Boot will compete in 2023 regardless of Tesla's answer.
"You have said that hydrogen technology is 'mind-bogglingly stupid.' You've also mentioned that the Baja 1000 would be a great test for your Cybertruck. We say bring it," wrote Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus on Instagram.
Tesla boss Musk made the comments referenced by Glickenhaus in 2019. He called fuel cells "fool cells," added that the technology is "a load of rubbish," and concluded that "success is simply not possible." Musk became one of the richest people in the world by selling battery electric cars, so his stance on hydrogen is not entirely surprising.
Glickenhaus evidently stands on the pro-hydrogen side of the industry, among manufacturers like Toyota, BMW, Hyundai, and Ineos. Although his company primarily builds race cars powered by gasoline, he predicted that a hydrogen-electric variant of the Boot (pictured) could finish the 1,000-mile Baja without stopping to refuel, a feat that would give the team a big time advantage over its rivals. In comparison, the top-of-the-line Cybertruck will allegedly offer a 500-plus-mile range, so it would need to stop and charge at least once to finish the race.
"We have a nice relationship with [sanctioning body] SCORE International, and we would be happy to help you navigate entry and find a good place to set up charging stations for your Cybertruck," SCG added. Glickenhaus won first in its class twice, in 2020 and in 2019, and it beat several big-name rivals, such as Ford's born-again Bronco.
Musk hasn't responded. If he accepts the challenge, the Baja 1000 would become the first major race Tesla participates in. It sounds like the hydrogen-powered Boot will compete in 2023 regardless of Tesla's answer.
01-01-21, 09:45 AM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
01-01-21, 11:56 AM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by LexBob2
Jim G has more to gain from this challenge than Elon. It wouldn't surprise me if it didn't happen.
01-01-21, 12:08 PM
#7
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
Let's hope this happens. Would be good for both technologies to get into the spotlight and more attention to a cool driving event.
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01-01-21, 01:03 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
It would be good to see a race in Baja. I doubt a battery vehicle could go the distance...Cybertruck is a pretty cool rig...(window smash was a fail). I think Jim G and his team is already a multi time winner
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 01-01-21 at 01:06 PM.
01-01-21, 01:41 PM
#9
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by DaveGS4
Article says challenge is for 2023, so there is your year or two... plenty of time to get ready.
Let's hope this happens. Would be good for both technologies to get into the spotlight and more attention to a cool driving event.
Let's hope this happens. Would be good for both technologies to get into the spotlight and more attention to a cool driving event.
01-01-21, 01:50 PM
#10
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
Frankly I'd be more worried about Tesla not having expertise in the chassis for this race than the obvious range and charging issues... that's what breaks more than anything else in this type of course.
Last edited by DaveGS4; 01-01-21 at 01:54 PM.
01-01-21, 02:47 PM
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by DaveGS4
Got the same rapid depletion disadvantage for non-EV vehicles that race. My wife gets maybe 7-8 mpg on her racecar running on track; I'm sure it's the same or worse for offroad trucks with the big tires. Time for Elon to show up.
Frankly I'd be more worried about Tesla not having expertise in the chassis for this race than the obvious range and charging issues... that's what breaks more than anything else in this type of course.
Frankly I'd be more worried about Tesla not having expertise in the chassis for this race than the obvious range and charging issues... that's what breaks more than anything else in this type of course.
01-01-21, 03:03 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
01-01-21, 03:17 PM
#13
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by LexsCTJill
I wonder how a Porsche Taycan would do in a Motorsports test.
Not really a sports car though but does get a pretty good ring time.
01-02-21, 08:14 AM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
01-02-21, 08:58 AM
#15
Lead Lap
