2006 Gumball 3000 "Around the World in 8 Days"

[Yeo]

After much deliberating, and continued high powered talks about next years Gumball 3000, we've decided to opt for an alternate route. The North Korean route involved talks with everyone from our very own Prime Minister to the United Nations, and despite being granted unpreceedented permission to enter North Korea and cross the Demiliterized Zone, the overiding opinion from our supporting World leaders and loyal old Gumballers was that we give North Korea a miss. The alternate 'Asian leg' will certainly enable you to sit more comfortably over the coming months, without risk of being abducted by Kim Jong IL, and driving wise, it's the best route ever. We're also pleased to announce an extension to the American leg - giving the U.S an equal share of the rally and an amazing driving experience!

I personally am a little dissappointed that we have decided to not include North Korea in our plans, as my experience of visiting the little visited country over the past year has been a priviledged experience. However, with an ever changing political climate, and particularly after talking to all those Gumballers that have already signed up for '06, over 90% of you were more keen on the round the world element than the thought of getting lost in a Communist country, and equally the overiding response was to make the American leg more significant than simply Vegas to LA, so with these comments and suggestions in mind, here's what's happening.

With Gumball now looking forward to its eighth year, having previously crossed the USA from east to west, and then again from west to east, lapping Europe and Scandinavia more times than you'd care to mention, and having already ventured into Africa, for 2006 we have decided to go one step further and take you "Around the World in 8 Days!" crossing Europe, Asia and the United States in one 8 day rally, with parties, race tracks and music concerts along the way!

Our awareness in Asia rapidly increasing thanks largesly to having the highest rated TV show following the Gumball on MTV's 'Whatever Things', featuring the adventures of the AiYa gang on the 2004 rally (our film of the AiYa's experience on the Gumball called 'Drivin' Me Crazy!' will be released at the end of the year. It's HILARIOUS!!!). With China becoming an increasing global superpower, we decided incorporating them would be the next logical step. Ironically, at the same time as our TV show hit Beijing, the Chinese Government invited us to bring the event to China, as a sort of preliminary event to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. So with that kind of support, Olympic backing, China granting Gumball unprecedented permissions and promoting the Gumball like we're the Olympics, what more can I say than, China here we come....!

Stage 1
In deciding to start the event from our natural home and future Olympic host city of London, we're going to kick the proceedure off with a HUGE public music concert the night before the flag drops, setting the scene for an amazing departure the following day (seeing if we can eclipse 250,000 people that attended this year), where cars will take off aiming for for Turkey, crossing 10 European countries, including the cities of Brussels, Salzburg, Budapest, Belgrade and Sofia en route to reach Istanbul where we will do the unimaginable and fly all 120 supercars and 250 people to Hong Kong, using 3 of the world's largest cargo planes, the Antanov, and one private Gumball 3000 Jumbo Jet for all the drivers! If that experience doesn't make this adventure a 'once in a lifetime' then nothing will!

Stage 2
From Hong Kong, 'Mission 2' of the rally will cover another 1000 miles across the most spectacular countryside ever seen, with checkpoints including some of the oldest 'Martial Arts' monestaries and the most futuristic of cities, such as Shanghai, before heading to the ancient capital and 2008 Olympic city of Beijing where an unpreceedented music concert will take place in Tianamen Square. From here, cars will again be loaded onto the 4 private jets, and this time be flown over the Pacific Ocean to the third Olympic host city of Salt Lake in the United States.

Stage 3
From Salt Lake 'Mission 3' will cover the final 1000 miles of the 8 day adventure, starting with races across the famous 'Bonneville' salt flats where Sir Malcolm Campbell became the first driver to take a car over 300 mph, reaching a staggering 301.13 in 1935 (lets see who's going to break the Gumball sound barrier!). From the salt flats of Utah, next stop Las Vegas will play host to a night of partying before the final dash to our fourth and final Olympic host city of Los Angeles to cross the finish line. A music concert will play out the rally followed by a trophy giving bash at Hef's famous 'Playboy Mansion'!

Eight days that nobody will forget, continuing our committment to being the "World's most all encompassing lifestyle event". The week of the rally, not only includes scheduling the amazing 3000 mile route, taking in some of the worlds most powerful cities and breath taking scenery, but also includes the organisation of music concerts, parties, Formula 1 circuits, private jets, road closures, and with next years being filmed for a cinema release, then we've also got to get more film permits that you could imagine. With this route, global unity, and unparalleled exposure, we aim to succeed in putting on the best week of your lives...the most memorable experience ever!

The entry forms have now gone 'live' on our website, so if you've already paid a deposit, please take the time to complete your entry form, and if you haven't but still wish to take up a place, please complete the forms and contact us ASAP. (The password to access the actual form is 'playboy'). We are aware that the price to participate next year is not cheap, but neither is the event, costing us a shade under $50m to put on, and the experience you will get will undoubtedly be 'priceless'. With the rally's appeal all encompassing, 'from rock star to avid car enthusiast', judging by the public's attendance earlier this year the brand will continue to cement itself as both the inspirational and most 'aspirational lifestyle event'; and the will continue to set the pace as the ultimate playground for the worlds elite high flyers, from the playboy jet-set, to rock stars, film stars and supermodels!

Last year we were aware that we upset several old Gumballers prior to the event as the grid was full by Christmas and we had to turn many Gumballers away, and so this time we'd like to avoid this scenario and so until the end of the month we're only accepting entries from past Gumballers, afterwhich the grid will be open to new people. Our goal is to fill the grid with 120 of the most amazing and eccentric cars and people from all over the world; taking entries from European, Asian, Middle Eastern, American and all other continents of the world equally. So get your entries in fast...as we've got a waiting list of Sultans and Sheiks wanting to show off their unique supercars!

Sponsorship for the 2005 rally was also increased to new levels, with Fortune 500 corporations including Co-Pilot (Microsoft & T-Mobile), VW and Lexus testing the ground for the first time alongside long-time Gumball partners, DC Shoes, TechnoMarine Watches, Meguiar's, Davida Helmets, Alpine Stars race wear and Von Zipper sunglasses amongst others. With increased global presence, and a route that crosses 13 countries through the 3 most powerful continents of the world, the 2006 Gumball Rally is ripe with unique global sponsorship opportunities for companies to market their products and enhance their brand image in what is the most exciting, ground breaking and highest profile lifestyle event in the world.

In 2006 we will enter the next phase of global development, focusing on our strengths of innovation, notoriety, eccentricity and quality. We will bring the Gumball 3000 unique lifestyle concept and diverse product range to the high street with the opening of our first flagship store in Central London. We will also announce our first foray into professional motorsport, participating in the World Sportscar Series and the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hour Race with our very own 'Gumball' car (more news of this coming soon!). In every area, from being a participant in the exclusive rally to purchasing our Top Trumps playing cards, from our clothing collection to our films, we will continue to give customers the quality and services that exceed their expectations, and above all, we will deliver a uniqueness of experience no other brand can surpass.

On that note, don't forget that our London to France 'Gumball 3000 Deauville Boat Rally' takes place at the start of next month.

If you have entered and are brave enough to be racing against me on this wet and wild experience I will look forward to seeing you for Dinner in Tower bridge on Thursday 1st September, followed by an exclusive VIP party in London's newest and hottest club Movida. The eccentric mix of 30 boats will be setting off from Tower Bridge at mid-day on Friday when the bridge will open and the race will start in earnest accross the channel. In keeping with Sir Malcolm Campbell's 'Land Speed record's, I'm looking to enter his actual river boat called 'The Bluebird'....I'm not sure it's the fastest, but I'm sure to beat the canoe!
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[NarendZORCE]

I'v been seeing the Gumball Rally in a few magazines (of course it's not in ours yet... when we can attend perhaps). Any pics Yeo?
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