From the Racetrack to the Marketplace: How Technik Competition Revolutionized Racing Parts with 3D Printing

At Technik Competition, racing isn’t just about speed—it’s about innovation. As a crew chief and lead designer for our NASA WERC (Western Endurance Racing Championship) team, I learned firsthand how the relentless demands of endurance racing push engineering to its limits. But what started as a quest to shave seconds off pit stops evolved into something bigger: a thriving business designing and manufacturing 3D-printed parts for motorsport enthusiasts. Here’s how we turned racing chaos into market-ready solutions, powered by a large-format Modix 3D printer and a lot of trial-and-error grit.

Owen Oliver

2/22/20252 min read

The Challenge: Surviving (and Thriving) in NASA WERC

Endurance racing is a brutal teacher. During NASA WERC’s 25-hour races, every second counts, and every part failure could mean disaster. Our team faced constant hurdles:

- Fragile stock parts prone to cracking under stress.

- Weight penalties from bulky metal brackets and mounts.

- Time-consuming repairs that cost us podium positions.

We needed lightweight, durable components that could withstand 100+ mph vibrations and rapid pit-stop swaps. Traditional manufacturing was too slow and expensive for our student-run budget. That’s when we turned to 3D printing.

Designing for the Edge: From CAD to Checkered Flag

Step 1: Reverse-Engineering Failure Points

We started by dissecting broken stock parts—headlight brackets, dash panels, camera mounts—and identified weak spots. Using SolidWorks and Fusion 360, we redesigned them with:

- Generative design principles to optimize weight-to-strength ratios.

- Integrated snap-fit mechanisms for tool-free assembly.

- Internal lattice structures (thanks to the Modix’s large build volume) to reduce material use without sacrificing durability.

Step 2: Large-Format Printing with Modix

The Modix Big-60 V3 became our secret weapon. Its 600x600x660mm build volume let us print full-scale dash panels and camera mounts in one go, using PETG-CF (carbon-fiber-infused filament) for heat resistance and rigidity. Key advantages:

- Speed: Printing a headlight bracket in 8 hours vs. 2 weeks for CNC machining.

- Cost: $15 in filament vs. $200+ for custom-milled aluminum.

- Iteration Freedom: Test 5 design variations in a weekend.

Step 3: Track Testing

During races, we monitored parts in real-world conditions:

- A 3D-printed camera mount survived a 120mph crash with zero deformation.

- Our snap-fit dash panel reduced pit-stop assembly time by 30%.

Building a Market: From Pit Lane to Profit

Success on the track caught the attention of other teams. Soon, we were fielding requests for custom parts. Here’s how we scaled:

1. Productizing Our Designs

- Created a catalog of 20+ 3D-printed racing components (brackets, mounts, aerodynamic aids).

- Launched an online store via Instagram and Facebook, leveraging race-day content to showcase durability.

2. Educational Outreach

- Partnered with NASA WERC to host 3D printing boot camps for student teams.

- Shared CAD files for open-source parts, building a community of DIY racers.

3. Large-Format Custom Orders

- Used the Modix to print full-scale prototype body panels for vintage car restorers.

- Developed a modular roof rack system for off-roaders, printed in ASA for UV resistance.

Lessons from the Garage

1. Racing Teaches Resilience

- A cracked part isn’t a failure—it’s a free stress test. Each iteration brought us closer to perfection.

2. 3D Printing Democratizes Innovation

- The Modix let us compete with professional teams on a student budget.

3. Community Drives Growth

- By open-sourcing designs, we turned competitors into collaborators.

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The Road Ahead

Today, Technik Competition isn’t just a racing team—it’s a proof-of-concept for agile manufacturing. Next up?

- AI-Driven Design: Training ML models to auto-generate race-optimized parts.

- Recycled Filament Initiative: Turning old helmets and body panels into printable material.

Join the Revolution

Follow Technik Competition’s journey:

- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TechnikCompetition/)

- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/TechnikCompetition/)

“In racing, you innovate or you lose. 3D printing let us do both—fast.”

– Owen Oliver, Lead Designer & Crew Chief

Call to Action

Interested in custom 3D-printed parts or collaborating on a project? [Contact us](https://www.facebook.com/TechnikCompetition/) – let’s engineer the future, one layer at a time.