Michelin, the proud winner of the past 18 Le Mans 24 Hours, has partnered with the Automobile Club l’Ouest (ACO), promoter and organizer of the Le Mans 24 Hours, for a unique theme for the 2017 Michelin Challenge Design: “Le Mans 2030: Design for the Win.”

Michelin Challenge Design is an annual competition to celebrate, promote, publicize and give visibility to original creative thinking and innovation in vehicle design.

Michelin challenges the international design community, individuals, small and large companies and universities, to enthusiastically create innovating and aesthetically pleasing design solutions that will meet the theme requirements.

“Our Michelin Challenge Design jurors and team see Le Mans as one of the most innovative, relevant and exciting design opportunities in the world today,” said Thom Roach, vice president of original equipment marketing for Michelin North America.

“We believe that ‘Le Mans 2030: Design for the Win’ will provide a tremendous opportunity for designers from around the world to present their ideas and innovations in an exciting competition.”

Since its inception in 1923, numerous car makers, including; Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Maserati, Mazda, McLaren, Nissan, Peugeot, Porsche, Toyota and others have used the Le Mans 24 Hours to present their latest innovations, technology and designs and to prove their capabilities in the 24 hours competition.

“Our story with Michelin started when they won the first edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1923,” said Mr. Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO, the organizer of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

“We have today a common ambition: encourage the advent of new technologies and design. Beyond an endurance race, the Le Mans 24 Hours is a laboratory of innovation and we are very glad to join this amazing and ambitious 2017 Michelin Challenge Design: ‘Le Mans 2030: Design for the Win’.”

Created by Michelin in 2001 to encourage and recognize young designers, the Michelin Challenge Design has become one of the most prestigious global design competitions, thanks in part to its jury members, who are often the advanced design leaders for major automakers. Since its inception, the competition has drawn over 8,000 entrants from 121 countries.

“The ACO strongly supports innovation and design and we are truly delighted that they have enthusiastically agreed to collaborate with us for the 2017 Michelin Challenge Design,” said Roach.

The 2017 Michelin Challenge Design theme “Le Mans 2030: Design for the Win” invites entrants to create a breakthrough race car to win the Le Mans 24 Hours in the year 2030 using future-looking technologies, innovations, and pioneering problem solving skills.

Designers are encouraged to design a car that reinforces the premium brand image of a company that is either famous for its historical success, or ready to elevate its brand through a prestigious Le Mans win.

Entries opened on October 19th, 2015 at www.michelinchallengedesign.com.