Date: 28th June 2000 Reference: PR/57/00 Sporting inspirations behind award winning car design An innovative city car, inspired by a baseball helmet, has won this year's Pilkington Automotive Best Student Project Award for Byung-Gyu Choi from Korea, a student on the Royal College of Art Vehicle Design course. The Best Project Award is presented to the student whose design best explores the limits of vehicle design, marrying the requirements of industry with the challenges of style. Pilkington Automotive, the world's leading manufacturer of automotive glazing, presented Byung-Gyu with a prize of £1,500. Choi's luxury city car was influenced by the themes of protection and sporting activity associated with a baseball helmet. This can be seen in the designer's attention to providing driver safety in a busy city environment. Dr. Alan Woodward of Pilkington and one of the judges, comments: "Byung-Gyu's design shows superb attention to detail, both inside and out and incorporates several innovations including a circular rear window which swivels to give access to the luggage area. Instruments are an integrated part of the steering column ensuring clear vision, whatever the position." Member of judging panel, Keith Helfet, Principal Designer at Jaguar, said: "The designer's thoroughly professional approach has created a stunning vehicle achieving everything in the project brief. His previous jewellery design experience is clearly evident in this detailed and well thought-out concept." Twenty six year old Byung-Gyu is a graduate of Hong-lk University's jewellery and industrial design course and his achievements include winner of the Korean industrial design competition in 1992 and winner of Orient jewellery and Korean Cosmetic design competitions in 1996. He explains: "Through the Royal College of Art I've gained the skills to work on the development of vehicles and my experience in industrial and jewellery design has influenced my vehicle concepts." Ends Issued on behalf of Pilkington Automotive by Key Communications. For further information: John Wilson, Louise Price or Richard Postins on 0121 456 3199.