Entrepreneur, creative director, explorer, design addict and “lover of British culture” Maximillion Cooper predicts that we will be seeing more white tires tricking out next year’s hottest cars in his 2013 forecast. Automobiles were just a starting point for Cooper when, having pursued a career as a racing driver while studying fashion at Central Saint Martins, he founded the Gumball 3000 rally in 1999. An annual 3000-mile international road race, the name was taken from the eponymous 1976 movie and inspired by films including Vanishing Point, Bullitt and Le Mans as well as the Cannonball Run, a coast-to-coast event held five times during the 70s. Taking place on public roads in dozens of countries worldwide, the rally celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. It involves a mix of powerful and eccentric, vintage and contemporary super cars and is beloved by the jet set, drawing celebrity participants like Idris Elba, Kate Moss, Johnny Knoxville and Tony Hawk—as well as Cooper’s current girlfriend, the Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist Eve, with whom he plans to ring in the new year at Goldeneye Villa in Jamaica. His theme song for the post-Mayan year ahead? “Nancy Sinatra’s ‘You Only Live Twice.’” NOWNESS asked the Renaissance man and auto connoisseur what cars we can expect to own the road in 2013.

Most innovative new car design
The Audi Shark by Kazim Doku or Daniel Simon’s Cosmic Motors ‘Sexy Magrela’ Top Thrust competition ship. 

Sexiest new car design
I’m biased, but the new ‘Gumball 3000’ edition Morgan Aero Coupe that I’m designing with Matt Humphries is definitely going to be the sexiest car ever! It will be released in spring 2013.

Upcoming automotive trend
I predict that whitewall tires are about to make a comeback and colored tires will become mainstream. White tires were the norm 100 years ago until carbon black was added to the tread to enhance road traction in the 1920s. 

Craziest accessory destined for popularity
Bridgestone’s new, non-pneumatic, airless tires that are completely resistant to punctures.

Best perennial driving music
I like to drive to a combination of The Clash, Beastie Boys, Bentley Rhythm Ace, The White Stripes and Johnny Cash.

Most interesting road trip itinerary
Gumball’s, of course: a road trip along with your best mate and another 100 amazing cars, all driving from Denmark to Monaco via 13 countries in just six days, incorporating parties and music concerts in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Riga, Warsaw and Vienna, before reaching the finish line in Monte Carlo just in time to soak up the late-May Monaco F1 weekend in style.