The Chevrolet Bolt EV has always been known as a reliable and affordable commuter car, perfect for daily driving without breaking the bank. With over 200 miles of range and a decent amount of horsepower, it gets the job done without any frills. However, a small team of enthusiasts decided to take things up a notch and turn a Bolt EV into a fun weekend track car.
The idea came about when one team member became intrigued by the 24 Hours of Lemons race, a budget-friendly way to experience wheel-to-wheel racing without the pressure of winning big. This race is all about having fun with cheap cars, and that’s exactly what the team wanted to do with their Bolt EV.
The team went to work transforming the Bolt EV into a track-ready machine. They installed a custom-made roll cage, racing seats, a fire extinguishing system, and a data logging device powered by a Raspberry Pi. In the name of weight savings, much of the original interior was stripped out, making the car lighter and more agile on the track.
Despite its limitations, such as a 60-kilowatt-hour battery pack and slow DC fast charging capabilities, the Bolt EV proved to be a fun and affordable option for track racing. While it may not have the range or speed of other race cars, the low-stakes mentality of the 24 Hours of Lemons race allowed the team to enjoy a few hours of track time before recharging.
Overall, the project proved that with a little creativity and ingenuity, even a humble commuter car like the Chevrolet Bolt EV can be transformed into a thrilling weekend track car. It goes to show that you don’t need a high-performance vehicle to have fun on the track – all you need is a passion for racing and a willingness to think outside the box.