3D Printing Helps California Hypercar Smash Five Track Records

Czinger Vehicles recently broke records in California with its 3D printed hypercar known as the 21C. The car broke five lap records at some of the state’s most famous racetracks. The company dubbed the campaign “Gold Rush,” which saw the 21C set new benchmarks at Sonoma Raceway, Laguna Seca, Thunderhill Raceway, Willow Springs, and the Thermal Club all within just five days. This record-breaking streak showcases not just the power of the car’s twin-turbo V8 and hybrid system, but also the aerodynamic advantages of 3D printing within high-performance automotive engineering.

Czinger is based in Torrance, California, and has built its reputation on utilizing additive manufacturing to produce structural components that are lighter, stronger, and more aerodynamic than other traditional methods. The chassis of the 21C and many of its internal components are made using a proprietary 3D printing process that allows the designers to create organic and high-strength shapes for performance. This type of approach has allowed for the car to reduce weight and improve its rigidity on the track.

During the Gold Rush campaign, the 21C was driven from track to track instead of being transported by trailer. This meant it covered nearly 1,000 miles of public roads between its record-breaking attempts. The car itself clocked in at 1:48.30 at Thunderhill and 1:19.73 at Willow Springs. Additionally, in Laguna Seca, it beat its previous record by 0.36 seconds. These attempts were validated using a VBOX GNSS-based system, as well as through independent observers.