3D Designer and Motorsports Fan Jeremy Burnich Given the Commission of a Lifetime

Jeremy Burnich of Joy Complex is an incredibly talented and creative designer who has used 3D printing to commemorate several major events in recent history, from an Afghan woman’s brave protest to the discovery of gravitational waves. He has 3D printed sound waves to commemorate Beethoven’s birthday, and he has won multiple awards and garnered a lot of acclaim for his unique artwork. The inspiration for his latest projects may not be quite as earth-shattering as the collision of black holes, but don’t tell that to racing fans, which include Burnich himself.

In addition to Joy Complex, Burnich is also the founder of 3D-Racetracks, a provider of miniature 3D printed topographical models of famous racetracks. As it’s currently racing season, business has picked up lately, with prominent individuals and companies within the racing world coming forward with requests for commemorative prints.

Italian company Pirelli has been the sole tire supplier to the FIM Superbike World Championship for over a decade, so when they introduce a new tire model, it’s big news. In January of this year, the company introduced the third incarnation of their much-loved Diablo Rosso motorcycle tire, and in honor of the tire’s debut at this year’s Superbike Championship, they asked Burnich to come up with something 3D printed and commemorative.

The Superbike Championship, which will be taking place from July 8-10, is being hosted this year by the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California – so it’s only natural that Burnich decided to 3D print sections of the raceway for Pirelli. He created two models of the track, one in full color with the Pirelli and Diablo III logos printed on a band across the center, and the other in bronze infused steel, which was printed by ExOne and will be presented to Pirelli VIPs. A total of 300 miniature tracks were printed, and Pirelli plans to give some of them out to fans and to tire dealers. For “a little something extra,” Burnich says, he also 3D printed miniature models of the tires themselves.

3D-Racetracks has also branched out beyond just 3D printed racetracks this year, too – thanks to a special request from Spanish Grand Prix MotoGP motorcycle racer Alvaro Bautista. In May, Bautista’s team reached out to Burnich with a special request – could he design and 3D print a mini-Alvaro?

“I am CRAZY about MotoGP so this was a dream come true,” says Burnich. “I didn’t even believe it at first.”

As his specialty is racetracks rather than drivers, Burnich teamed up with his friend Alex Ophuizen of Mini 3D Drivers. Ophuizen, a Formula 1 nut from the Netherlands, has created quite a collection of miniature 3D printed F1 drivers and cars, and he was more than happy to help. Together, Ophuizen and Burnich came up with a small, rather adorable figure of Bautista, which they had printed in Shapeways’ full color sandstone material.

Mini Alvaro

“We worked together for a while tweaking the model and the placement of colors, graphics, and logos,” says Burnich. “Mini Alvaro traveled over the Atlantic from the US to The Netherlands and back many times before we finally got him just right. Mini Alvaro is probably just as well traveled as the real Alvaro!”

The ocean-crossing collaboration was worth it, as Bautista proclaimed himself well pleased with his mini-self, which he plans to give out to fans and sponsors. Burnich states that he is still “over the moon” about the whole project, and is hoping that the collaboration is only the first between him and Ophuizen. Meanwhile, Burnich continues to design gorgeous jewelry for Joy Complex, so he’s keeping plenty busy – but it’s obvious that all of his work is a labor of love. Discuss Burnich and his success over in the 3D Printed Racetracks forum at 3DPB.com.