Design Vettel's helmet, win fabulous prizes

Some helmet schemes are iconic. Jackie Stewart famously emblazoned his Bell helmet with his house tartan. Over on the motorcycle side of things, Valentino Rossi's screaming helmet has become a kitsch icon. Plain white Simpson Diamondback? Well, some say he's actually a tame racing driver masquerading as an Autoweek editor…

Now, Infiniti gives you the chance to design Sebastian Vettel's helmet and become legend in a way not seen since Ken Block unbent the visor on his baseball cap. Vettel will wear the winning design during practice and qualifying during the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, this November, but not during the actual race, lest Infiniti's sponsors start to wreak havoc over their carefully budgeted "advertising opportunities."

Submit your meticulously rendered design right at Infiniti's website. Or, you can print out a template, bust out your Crayola 64-count box of crayons with the built-in sharpener, and doodle to your heart's content. Infiniti most likely won't take helmets with "VETTEL IS A PR ROBOT" scrawled on the side. And while tempting, they most likely also won't take snubs at other drivers. There goes my idea of Vettel wearing a helmet inscribed "LEWIS HAMILTON IS A TERRIBLE BOWLER."

Put your finger in the air, then put it on paper. The contest ends Sept. 29, and a hand-picked cadre will oversee all entries the next day. If you win, Infiniti will award you and a friend with a VIP weekend at the U.S. Grand Prix, as well as the opportunity to meet with Vettel himself. Please don't ask him for your helmet back.

By Blake Z. Rong