Car shows and rallies have long been a part of the automotive industry. Over the years, the world has witnessed several motor events – unique in their capacity. One of the major automotive events that has made rounds and established itself as a major anticipated event is Gumball 3000. The participation of some major celebrity drivers and a vast collection of elite supercars make Gumball 3000 a one-of-a-kind event. Let’s dive into the details and learn all about the much-anticipated rally.
History of Gumball 3000
Founded in 1999 by Maximillion Cooper, a British entrepreneur, the Gumball 3000 rally has taken place every year since. The name took inspiration from the 1976 movie by the name ‘The Gumball Rally’. The event has witnessed a wide range of petrol and electric cars, driven by celebrity drivers such as Lewis Hamilton, David Hasselhoff, and Usher, to name a few.
The event took inspiration from various motor events around the world. In 1999, Maximilian Cooper, along with some of his friends, decided to cover 3000 miles (4828 kilometres) across Europe. The event was for wealthy individuals as the participants were required to bring their supercars.
The first Gumball rally started from London to Rimini, then to Italy and back to London. The participation of some top-tier celebrities such as Kate Moss and Guy Ritchie brought the event to light and laid the foundation for the years to come. Some noticeable models to appear at the first Gumball 3000 were the Lotus Esprit and the Lamborghini Diablo.
Check out the following for some more interesting facts about these car brands:
Following the success of the first edition, Gumball 3000 became a yearly event. More and more noticeable personalities and cars graced the event with their presence in the following years. The mega event has covered several destinations around the world, including Berlin, Helsinki, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Texas, to name a few.
Gumball 3000 Format
The Gumball 3000 rally goes on for seven days. Rally cars cover several destinations across countries and continents during that period. The journey length is set to 3000 miles (4828 kilometres) with about 120 drivers becoming part of the grand event.
There is no prize money set for the winner as the rally is for entertainment and donation purposes. Similarly, there is no time-check or tracking during the rally. The week-long event is all about enjoyment and parties, which go head to head with the rally. It also provides car enthusiasts with an opportunity to witness vintage supercars in action.
Additionally, celebrity appearances add more attraction to the event. Celebrity appearances are not limited to people from the automotive industry, as film and music celebrities have also been part of the event. You can witness several known personalities behind the wheel in supercars. Check out the difference between sports cars vs supercars to get a better idea about the vehicles.
GUMBALL 3000 FOUNDATION
Established in 2013, the Gumball Foundation aims to benefit underprivileged youth through recreational and educational infrastructure-based projects. Since 2013, Gumball has held an auction during the rally and all proceeds go to the Gumball Foundation.
The foundation uses the auctioned money for several charitable programs. For instance, in 2015, they sent 100 terminally ill children on a trip to Lapland, Finland just before Christmas.
Gumball 3000 Dubai 2022
The 23rd edition of the mega event headed to the Middle East for the very first time. Dubai, the futuristic city and the hub of motorsport, was selected as the starting point of the giant rally.
The Gumball 3000 rally had a week-long program covering 3000 miles across the middle east. This year’s rally experienced the culture of the middle east while passing through futuristic cities and deserts.
Gumball 3000 Middle East 2022 Route and Events
The program and route details of Gumball 3000 Middle East is as follows:
12TH TO 13TH NOVEMBER – DUBAI
The rally started at Burj Park in Dubai. Approximately 100 iconic cars were put on display for the attendees to witness. A live music concert with famous DJs was also held where top-of-the-line talent was put on display.
The rally witnessed Ferraris, Bugattis and Mclarens in Dubai – supercars the city is famous for. On 13th November, the Gumball’s iconic flag drop marked the start of the rally towards its second stop.
You can add various models of the cars that appeared this year to your collection and make an appearance when Gumball returns to the UAE.
13TH NOVEMBER – JEBEL AKHDAR
Following the iconic flag drop in Dubai, the rally went in Oman, going through the mountainous range of Jebel Akhdar. The mountainous range provided the Gumballers with a unique off-roading experience.
14TH NOVEMBER – SALALAH
The next stop for the Gumball 3000 rally was Salalah, a city in Oman. The rally covered the roads of the city and took a stop at one of the major resorts in the city.
15TH NOVEMBER – MUSCAT
From Salalah, the Gumball 3000 rally entered the capital city of Muscat. The rally had something special for the final stop in the country with a free festival of engine noise. The local supercar clubs of Muscat collaborated with the rally participants to put on a show for enthusiasts.
16TH TO 17TH NOVEMBER- RAS AL KHAIMAH
On 16th November, the Gumball 3000 rally arrived at its penultimate stop, Ras Al Khaimah. During the run at Ras Al Khaimah, the rally also hosted a hill climb event at Jebel Jais – one of the best roads to drive in the UAE. The event was free for all.
The charity night for the Gumball foundation took place on 17th November with some well-known names becoming the partners of the event.
18TH TO 20TH NOVEMBER – ABU DHABI
The rally made its last stop at the capital city of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. The participants stayed at the W hotel in Abu Dhabi which gives a view of the YAS Marina Circuit. The Yas Marina circuit was also hosting the final round of the Formula 1 Championship.
The rally came to a close with the Spirit of Gumball trophy presented at the Gumball Awards. All the events held in the capital city were free to attend.
For upcoming events, buying merchandise and everything else, you can visit the official Gumball 3000 website.
This was everything about Gumball 3000. Motor events have long entertained car enthusiasts and the Gumball rally holds its value as one of the longest-running events. From celebrities to supercars, parties and concerts, Gumball 3000 has something for everyone. It is a one-of-its-kind supercar event which is more about recreation and charity.
There are several other major car events in the UAE. For instance, the Icons of Porsche is set to start on the 26th of November. Additionally, there are some other top places in Dubai to see supercars throughout the year.
That said, if you are a fan of high-speed vehicles, browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE and select from a wide variety of vehicles listed.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for information about major car events and more.
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