This year's 2006 Gumball 3000 Rally kicks off on 30 April and lasts until 9 May. The event follows a three-stage, 3,000 mile driving route that incorporates Europe, Asia and the United States.
Stage 1: Europe - London (UK) to Istanbul (Turkey) The cars and participants will then be flown to Hong Kong.
Stage 2: Asia - Hong Kong to Beijing (China). The cars and participants are then flown across the Pacific to the USA.
Stage 3: Salt Lake City to Los Angeles via Las Vegas.
According to the organisers, this year's event is the biggest ever going 'around the world' in just eight days. With legs in Europe, Asia and America this will be a truly ground breaking event - almost a complete fantasy James Bond tour incorporating glamorous locations, private jets, palaces, 5-star hotels, incredible parties, amazing driving, F1 circuits and finishing at the Playboy Mansion. Check out the animation on the Gumball 3000 site (link below).
There will be a TV series, documentary and a Hollywood feature film off the back of the 2006 Rally, while cars will range from the Bugatti Veyron and one-off Ferraris driven by Arab sheiks to eccentric car enthusiasts in 1970s Holdens.
With 250,000 fans watching last year's start, even bigger crowds are expected this year. The rally is set to start at Regent Street on 29 April.
“I had the ride of my life, Gumball is awesome,” said supermodel Caprice, of last year's event.
There are only 10 spaces remaining and this years entrance fee is £40,000 (which includes everything except petrol and speeding fines for two people). There are no categories and the event is open to all makes, models and years of vehicle. Places are limited to just 120 cars, so the organisers don't guarantee availability – but the more amazing or eccentric the car – the better your chances.
To know more, check out the Web site.
Links
Photo by Michael Tomlinson
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