What is the Gumball 3000?
Launched in 1999 by Maximillion
Cooper, the 'Gumball 3000' rally has fast gained a reputation as being one
the worlds most notorious and high profile events. Inspired by the
liberating and infamous 'Gumball Rally' and 'Cannonball Run' films of the
70s, 'Gumball 3000' has recreated the 'spirit' and 'fun' of those classics
by bringing together the worlds of film, fashion, music, sport and business,
for a 6 day, 3000 mile (hence, '3000') road trip, punctuated by the wildest
parties.
In an attempt to bring back some style, glamour and attitude into
'professional' motor racing, Maximillion had originally planned a 'private
event' for 50 of his friends to launch his ambitions to enter a stylish and
rock 'n'roll team into the Le Mans 24-hour race. That was the plan; however
the first 'Gumball 3000' rally across Europe was more successful than anyone
could have predicted, and immediately captivated an audience far wider than
motor sport had previously known, leading to a host of high-profile global
companies and household names wanting to get involved, including a licensing
deal to bring out a Sony Playstation 2 'Gumball 3000' computer game!
Everyone, "from film and rock stars, supermodels, skateboaders, 'Jackass'',
to the world's most wealthy", had become 'fans' of the 'Gumball 3000',
catapulting the event and the media attention beyond all expectations.
Now, in its fifth year as a 'rally', 'Gumball 3000' has become much more
than 'just' a road trip, and has developed into an aspirational
multi-million dollar brand name synonymous with a 'cool, 'jet-set', and yet
'street' image. Last year 20 million viewers watched MTV's Johnny Knoxville
and the rest of the Jackass crew, in an hour long 'Gumball 3000' MTV
special, as the Jackass' boys took on ex-F1 champion Damon Hill, and another
100 'supercars' in an event resembling a 'real life' version of the 'Wacky
Races', from London to Russia and back. As a result, 'Gumball 3000' has
rocketed into being the coolest, most fashionable and rock 'n' roll name in
motoring, and will not only continue to the amaze both participants and
viewers with the annual 'rally', but soon enough, with the support from some
of the worlds 'superpowers' will take on the giants of Formula One, to mark
a new era and become the next generation in the sport.
Excerpt taken from gumball3000.com |
