Remember the 1981 movie "Cannonball Run" in which Burt Reynolds portrayed J.J. McClure the cross-country road rally race contestant? It was a pretty cool race concept and the Gumball 3000 brings that road rally to life across three continents in Europe. The underground race first began in 1999, but it has since become slightly more organized and more popular.
The week-long race started April 29th 2007 in London and it makes it's way through Istanbul, Tirana, Bratislava, and Berlin before finishing back where it started, in London. The elite of the world come out for this rally in Bugatti's, McLaren's, Rolls Royce's, Lamborghini Gallardos, to have some fun with their fellow drivers in a non-competitive, free-spirited, road rally.
The ultimate prize for the driver who arrives first is a gumball machine so you can see the prize is not what motivates these drivers. The rally has become so popular that hoards of fans mob each city the drivers pass through and local law enforcement has put a damper on all the excitement in some cities.
As of today, the official word is the rally is no longer passing through Germany as several of the participants including Xzibit have been apprehended by officers in Frankfurt and escorted to the nearest airport for a long trip back home. Xzibit didn't want to leave the race willingly so he's been taken away in a paddywagon. The race is on hold until they work out the detour but should end on Saturday in London as scheduled. Anyone who participates in the rally receives a bronze bust of J.J. McClure, so nobody goes home empty-handed.
Real Life Cannonball Run
The 2007 Gumball 3000
Trend Themes
1. Underground Road Rally - Opportunity to create organized and popular road rally events with non-competitive, free-spirited atmosphere.
2. Elite Driver Community - Opportunity to build a community of wealthy and influential car enthusiasts who participate in exclusive road rally events.
3. Fan-engaging Spectacle - Opportunity to create road rally events that attract large numbers of fans and generate excitement in each city they pass through.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive Events - Opportunity to organize and host road rally events for car enthusiasts.
2. Luxury Car Manufacturers - Opportunity to showcase and promote high-end luxury cars through participation in road rally events.
3. Tourism and Hospitality - Opportunity to capitalize on the attraction of road rallies by hosting and accommodating participants and spectators at each city along the route.