Founders Story
The Pineapple Grips Story
by Peter Parnell, Founder
I’ve always been a hands-on, creative person. With a degree in Engineering Product Design and a passion for making things better, I’m the kind of guy who, when something isn’t quite right, I’ll figure out a way to fix it myself.
About five years ago, I found myself wanting to replace the worn grips on my sim racing wheel. Simple enough, right? Except it wasn’t. Finding replacement grips was a frustrating experience— They weren’t easily available and there was no real choice beyond “standard black.” I couldn’t believe that in such a passionate community like sim racing, nobody was offering a better solution.
That’s how Pineapple Grips was born.
The goal was simple: make it as easy (as the wheel would allow) for sim racers to replace their grips, but not just with standard replacements. I wanted to offer choices—different materials, colours, and even personalised names etched onto the grips. Why should a part you interact with every lap feel like an afterthought?
The early days were small. I started in sim racing Facebook groups, especially the Fanatec communities, sharing my ideas and testing out designs. Every sale felt like a win. What really gave me a boost was when influencers like Will Ford from Boosted Media and Shaun Cole from The SimPit took notice early on. Their support helped put Pineapple Grips on the map.
But it’s never been about just making grips—it’s about making them personal. I’m a big believer in working one-on-one with customers. Some of our best-selling products, like the “Fanatec Chunky Grips,” actually came from a customer request. That collaborative approach is what makes Pineapple Grips different. I even live stream many builds on Twitch, so customers can watch their grips being crafted and feel part of the process.
I love being creative, and I thrive on quick turnarounds and direct interaction with customers. That’s what keeps me going. In an industry where mass production and generic parts are the norm, I want Pineapple Grips to stay small, nimble, and personal—but with big ideas.
Today, we’ve expanded to create grips compatible with a variety of sim racing wheel brands, and we’re now in communication with three of the biggest names in the sim racing world. It’s exciting, but we’re just getting started. My vision for Pineapple Grips is to continue innovating—not just in grips, but in all kinds of sim racing accessories and ideas that keep the experience fresh, personal, and different.
For me, it’s not about being the biggest. It’s about making products that feel like they’re yours, not just “off the shelf” options that don’t reflect your setup or personality.