Breaking the Mold: 3D Printing Is Motorsports-Ready (If You Know What You’re Doing)
Let’s get this out of the way first:
Yes, 3D printing can survive in motorsports.
No, not everything should be 3D printed.
But the stigma that printed parts are only good for desk toys and cosplay armor? That’s outdated nonsense.
At Mountain Lion Racing, we’ve been quietly throwing layer lines into the fire ( literally) in some of the harshest environments racing has to offer. From time attack circuits to hillclimbs that chew through parts like they’re bubble wrap, our printed components have been hammered, punished, and proven. (A lot have failed)
So the skepticism?
The Stigma: “It’s Just Plastic”
The assumption is simple: plastic = weak. And if you’re thinking of that brittle $10 Amazon PLA spool, you’re not entirely wrong. But lumping all 3D printing into that category is like judging all metal parts based on cast aluminum from a Harbor Freight lawn chair.
There are materials like ASA, PETG-CF, PA12, Ultem, and filled nylons that can withstand high temps, UV abuse, impacts, and vibration; when printed right. And there are applications where weight savings, rapid prototyping, and even short-run production make more sense than milling billet or laying carbon.
It’s not about if it’s 3D printed. It’s about where and how.
The Tool, Not the Solution
Let’s be clear: 3D printing isn’t the answer to everything. You’re not going to print a connecting rod or a brake caliper (yet). But what about:
Mirror housings? Done.
Flat floor washers? Easy.
Aero discs? Proven.
Complex ducting, brackets, mounts? Better than the zip tie-and-hope method.
If you treat your printer like a real fabrication tool, not a toy it’ll return the favor.
Our Mission: Print Smarter, Race Harder
At Mountain Lion Racing, we’re not here to convince you to ditch metal. We’re here to arm you with knowledge. We design, print, test, and race the parts we sell and we’ve taken the hits so you don’t have to.
Every product we offer is a result of real-world motorsports testing. If it doesn’t hold up to curbs, gravel, and 120°F pits, it doesn’t leave the garage.
We’re here to push back against the “it can’t be done” mindset. Because we’ve already done it and we’re not slowing down.
Stay tuned for future posts where we’ll break down material choices, test results, and when not to use 3D printing.
Because it’s not just about what you can make. It’s about what’ll make it to the checkered flag.
— The Mountain Lion Racing