The Gumball 3000 was created in 1999 by ex-racing driver, designer and British entrepreneur Maximillion Cooper. It was born from Cooper’s vision to combine cars, music, fashion and entertainment.
Cooper derived the word ‘Gumball’ from New York artist Andy Warhol after he used it to describe how the public chew up and spit out popular culture like chewing gum; and ‘3000’ as a nod to Cooper’s fascination with the future.
Cooper decided to launch a lifestyle brand concept by inviting 50 of his influential and celebrity friends to join him on a road-trip around Europe to experience an adrenaline fuelled-adventure, driving supercars and hosting parties each evening.
This road-trip and its parties rapidly caught the attention of the press and public alike, achieving mainstream media coverage across celebrity, fashion and automotive publications...
...gracing the covers of GQ, Esquire, FHM, CAR and mainstren newspapers.
By 2001, the 6-day rally was televised internationally on MTV and the BBC
Over the next decade the concept grew from its origins as an underground ‘rally’ fuelled by myth and rumour, into a global entertainment corporation that now commands multi-million dollar sponsorship revenues and global licensing deals
A Superdry branded supercar
The annual rally has evolved into a week long festival hosted by global cities, closing off streets to organize music concerts, action sports demos and car shows that now attract live crowds of over a million people...
...and a televised and online audience that reaches over 60 million households in over 100 countries
The Gumball 3000 promotes safe driving, is supported by authorities and Governments and is sponsored by global blue chip companies
In celebration of reaching its 15th anniversary the Gumball 3000 Foundation has been established
The Gumball 3000 Foundation has been established to benefit underprivileged people through education and building infrastructure
Supermodel Jodie Kidd with the start flag in London
Chris Eubank is pictured with his big rig at the Eiffel Tower
A Ferrari Enzo is parked at Millerpark in America
A Chevy breaks down and is pushed to a repair station
The Gumball 3000 arrives in Monaco
Jade Jagger and Eve are photographed at the start of one the sections
Jamiroquai front man Jay Kay is a regular participant
A Bugatti on the road during one of the stages
