Role: Co-Creator and Designer
Company: Teague
Collaborator: Peter Hoeft (Mechanical Engineer)

 

Overview

The Bunny Slipper Racer was a self-initiated project I started with mechanical engineer Peter Hoeft at Teague. The idea began when Peter brought in a leaflet for the Redbull Derby in Seattle, which inspired us to create a racer to participate in the event. The race was held down Yesler Way, one of the steepest hills in Seattle, and we decided to build a unique racer inspired by the playful design of a bunny slipper.

 

Design Concept

To make it more memorable and keep the door open for future participation, we built the racer to resemble a bunny slipper and named it "Left Bunny Slipper". This allowed us to build the right slipper in the future, in case we decided to participate again. The concept was both fun and functional, merging a whimsical design with the challenge of building a racer capable of navigating one of Seattle’s steepest hills.

 

Challenge and Adventure

With no prior testing on the Yesler Way course (as participants were not allowed to test the track in advance), the project took on an element of adventure. Fortunately, our colleague Franco, who had kart racing experience, volunteered to steer the untested racer down the hill. His bravery and expertise gave us the confidence to take on this thrilling challenge.

 

Outcome

The project was an incredible experience, combining engineering, design, and a sense of adventure. If you're curious about the outcome of the race or would like to hear more about the adventure, feel free to reach out to me!