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