PH Photo Gallery: Gumball 3000

Our resident supercar spotter shares pics from one of his 2016 favourites, the Gumball 3000

By ThomasHowarth / Tuesday, 20 December 2016 / Loading comments

The now infamous Gumball 3000 rally is a 3000-mile annual road trip usually spanning several countries and even continents, consisting almost exclusively of super and hypercars. The rally is now in its 17th year, is endorsed by brands such as Shell, Uber and YouTube and costs an eye watering £40,000 to enter.

What's the big deal then? Many over the years have criticised the rally, seeing it as a parade of privilege, excess and overwhelmingly dangerous driving. Top Gear presenter and former PistonHeads writer Chris Harris Tweeted earlier this year: 'If I ran a supercar company, I'd pay good money not to have my product seen in the hands of the Gumball morons.'

However, I can't say I agree with Chris. Earlier this year I visited the annual Regent Street Motor Show, and to be frank, I was thoroughly unimpressed. I honestly believe there would have been a more exciting and varied selection of cars on Regent Street had it remained open to normal traffic.

In contrast to this, several months earlier in May, London's same Regent Street was shut for the Gumball rally to stop off on their 2016 Dublin to Bucharest tour. The show put on by the rally was indescribably better than the Regent Street Motor Show.

Handfuls of Aventador SVs and F12 TDFs; the hypercar 'holy trinity' not once but twice over; a unique Oakley Design Bugatti Veyron; a fully exposed carbon Ferrari Enzo and even a Batmobile based on a Lamborghini Gallardo! As someone who spends a lot of time looking at cars in London, I'm quite hard to impress. But this was incredible. I can only imagine the impact seeing such a display would have on petrol heads from somewhere less flashy than London, where seeing a 458 or Huracan is notable.

It's not just a chance to see your favourite car either; many celebrities have taken part over the years including Formula One World Champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, skater Tony Hawk, actor David Hasselhoff and musicians deamau5, Afrojack and Major Lazer.

Say what you will about the Gumball 3000 rally; there is no denying that for car fans like me, seeing it pass through your local town is a certainly a date to mark in the calendar!