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The Gumball 3000 Returns for 2023
Reading time 6 minutes
Categories Automotive Industry » Entertainment »
We are hiring! Are you an experienced technician? Join our outstanding team »
The Gumball 3000 Returns for 2023
Reading time 6 minutes
Categories Automotive Industry » Entertainment »
2023 marked the latest edition of one of the world’s most iconic supercar events – the Gumball 3000 rally.
Since its inception, the international event has visited every continent on the planet, bringing together supercar enthusiasts, adventurers and celebrities on an annual basis.
Combining cars, music, fashion and entertainment, the rally is one of the highlights on the motor rally calendar and the 2023 edition was among the biggest events yet.
The Gumball 3000 motor rally was founded in 1999 by British entrepreneur and motoring enthusiast, Maximillion Cooper, and more than 20 years later it has earned a reputation for being one of the most sought-after experiences for automotive lovers.
Named after the 1976 movie The Gumball Rally, each year the event takes place over the course of one week with the start and finish point changing each time. The rally takes place solely on public roads, and as the event has grown, it has headed to every corner of the globe including the USA and Asia. Drivers typically participate in a whole host of supercars, impressing spectators with their customisations, wraps and innovatively designed paintwork.
Over the years, thousands of drivers have taken on the challenge including some celebrities such as Lewis Hamilton, David Hasselhoff and Usher.
The 2023 edition of the Gumball 3000 began on 10th June in Edinburgh with the finish happening seven days later at the stunning Porto Montenegro on Montenegro’s northern coast.
Due to the rally taking place exclusively on public roads and all speed limits needing to be adhered to, the organisers make it very clear that the rally is not a race and there are no prizes for finishing first. However, there are a number of awards for other categories such as ‘Best Car’, ‘Style Award’, ‘Best Wrap, and the most prestigious award – the ‘Spirit of Gumball’. This prize is handed to the team that most embodies the character, personality and passion of the Gumball 3000. In 2023 this award went to Team Texas Express.
As well as the exhibition aspect of the rally, there is also a charity aspect of the occasion. The Gumball 3000 Foundation was launched in 2013 and has gone on to raise over £5M for charities that support underprivileged young people around the world.
This year’s rally was dubbed the ‘European Tour’, following 2022’s event that spanned from Toronto to Miami.
Beginning in Edinburgh and ending in Montenegro, this year’s route was as follows:
The 24th annual Gumball 3000 rally got underway in Edinburgh’s iconic George Street as over 100 vehicles were on display for competitors and the general public to admire.
Following the display, all drivers, as well as invited guests and VIPs, attended a launch event at Edinburgh Castle in the evening to officially get the rally underway and provide a chance for money to be raised for the Gumball 3000 Foundation’s charities.
The next day, Sunday 11th June, the chequered flag was waved and the rally started!
For the first time since 2018, the Gumball 3000 headed to London where drivers were greeted by thousands of fans at Battersea Power Station.
Londoners lined the streets to get a glimpse of the variety of supercars as they arrived in the capital following the long drive from Edinburgh.
The next day, drivers headed down to Dover and through a private section of the Channel Tunnel that had been reserved specifically for the rally.
They then headed to the event’s first checkpoint in Bruges’ Market Square where the cars were placed on display for the general public to enjoy.
Live DJs and celebrity guests were also in attendance in what was a wonderful party atmosphere.
After the checkpoint, it was onto Amsterdam for the drivers and supercars.
The cars and drivers headed to the city’s Hard Rock Hotel where a special football charity event took place to raise money for Laureus Sport – one of the event’s charity partners.
In the evening, a party took place at Air nightclub for participants to let their hair down.
The next day, drivers drove through miles of stunning Swiss scenery to reach the village of Verbier in the heart of the Alps.
This was one of the longest stints of the road trip, clocking up around 10-11 hours without stops. Once they arrived the drivers were treated to a night in a mountain hotel with wonderful views of the iconic mountains.
A drive into Northern Italy was on the agenda for the following day, following a lunch break at Lake Como the cars arrived at Venice’s main road of Via Della Liberta where they were displayed for thousands of spectators.
In the evening, the participants attended an authentic Venetian Ball where money was raised for charity.
The Slovenian capital of Ljubljana marked the event’s second checkpoint.
After leaving Venice, they headed to the city’s castle for a private lunch in the landmark’s Michelin-star restaurant.
The cars then spent a few hours on display for the public to enjoy.
After a whistle-stop tour of Slovenia, Hungary and Budapest were the next destinations in the rally.
On the first visit to the city since 2016, thousands of fans greeted drivers in Ybl Miklos ter for a public display in what was one of the most highly attended stops.
The final day of driving began with a drive to Croatia and the final checkpoint in Split.
Drivers enjoyed a delicious lunch on the wonderful Riva Promenade before continuing on the journey to the finish line.
After 3,000 miles, passing through 10 countries and six days of driving, the event came to an end at Montenegro’s iconic Porto Montenegro.
Following 11 hours of driving, drivers were treated to coastal views as they reached the finishing line. They were then treated to a closing party like no other with DJs performing to celebrate their successes.
The next day saw a pool party take place as the prizes were handed out.
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