The Starting Grid

The Starting Grid

Words: Frank Green
Intro photo: Rich Van Every

What’s the last really exciting road trip you took? These days, cars mostly help people get from point A (usually home) to point B (probably work) and back. And if you do decide to saddle up the sedan and take a vacation, chances are the sedan is uncomfortable as hell and barely does 70 MPH.

It’s refreshing to know there exists a brand that is dedicated to making driving—and road tripping—an awesome experience. Founded in 1999 by Maximillion Cooper, Gumball 3000 is an annual car rally that spans 3,000 miles, seven days, and often several countries. Partly inspired by the 1981 movie The Cannonball Run, Gumball 3000 attracts drivers as famous and eclectic as the film’s cast. Notable participants include Tony Hawk, David Hasselhoff, Daryl Hannah, Dennis Rodman, Hugh Hefner, Travis Barker, Johnny Knoxville, and Xzibit, all riding alongside Fortune 500 CEOs, Sheikhs, and everyday rally and car enthusiasts.

The cars driven on the rally are just as interesting as their drivers. From a 1963 VW Campervan, to a Bugatti Veyron, to a 2009 Rolls-Royce Phantom, Gumball 3000 is more than a rally—it’s a moving museum.

Though most of the cars go from zero to 60 faster than you can get your keys out of your pocket, the Gumball 3000 is not a race. (Top prize—the Spirit award—isn’t handed out for the best time, but given to the driver who has the most fun and shows the most character.) Participants attend blowout parties throughout the route that even the most die-hard drivers wouldn’t rush through. These include major live concerts that are often open to the public. Top-tier accommodations are also planned into each leg of the rally—anyone who’s tried to pack a tent into a 1969 Lola T70 MKIII will understand why.

Started by Cooper as an exclusive event for him and 50 of his most eccentric friends, Gumball 3000 has become a global lifestyle brand, drawing rally-hungry fans at every checkpoint, no matter the continent. Though the rally has grown exponentially over the last decade, Cooper still serves as “host” and creative director of the Gumball empire, working alongside Julie Brangstrup, London’s toughest businesswoman.

For those of you who will never get to steer a Ferrari Enzo up to the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai while Burt Reynolds naps in the back seat, the following pages will provide you with at least a peek into life on the world-famous Gumball 3000.

Photos: Fiona Mcleod