Max's Blog — Gumball 3000

Gumball 2008 press release from Max

by Max — posted at 2008-19-02 13:31

News Announcement...

The dates and route of the "10th Anniversary" Gumball 3000 Rally are officially announced!

The "10th Anniversary" Gumball will take place in August this year starting in San Francisco and finishing 8 days later in China at the Beijing Olympics. Dates of the rally are August 9th-16th.

Being the 10th anniversary this route is nothing short of spectacular, and ground breaking to say the least! Setting off from San Francisco, the route incorporates Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas, with checkpoints each day and VIP parties each night. From Las Vegas all 120 vehicles (low-riders to supercars) will be flown on 3 of the worlds largest Antonov Cargo Planes to Nanjing, China; and all participants will get to experience an unprecedented 1 night in North Korea as part of a global 'friendship' initiative, getting to watch the Mass Games (their version of the Olympics) en route to rejoin their cars in Nanjing. From Nanjing the route heads north to Shanghai and then Xuzhou, before crossing the finish line in Beijing during the Olympic Games.

This is a real "once in a lifetime trip". Entry fee is £60k per car (2 people) and of course includes everything throughout the 8 days, incl. hotels, parties, flying the cars around etc...and tickets to the Olympics.

This one is certain to draw a crowd wherever it goes, and with the cars being displayed in each city, everyone will get to witness the amazing cars and stars first hand throughout the route. If you think you've got what it takes to join the rock stars, film stars and the 'jet set' to participate in this once in a lifetime adventure then contact the Gumball HQ for more information.

More News.....

The clock is now counting down to the launch of Gumball's completely new website that goes live on April 1st. The new site will represent all elements of the 'Gumball 3000" lifestyle, incorporating a social network to bring fans all over the world together, along with a user generated videos section (so you can show us what you get up to), as well as celebrity blogs, and a fully loaded store with the new Gumball 3000 Apparel Collection, and a Gumball Cars 'for Sale' section to advertise your classic, super or daily run around to the masses!

Along with daily news, and everything you'll ever need to know about the rally and everything automotive, the site will also cover everything else that we love, including news and reviews on music, films, sports, sneakers, street art and entertainment.

So get ready to join the greatest social network on the planet!!!!

Maximillion Cooper

News from China

by Max — posted at 2007-23-07 10:38

Song Shan, China,

"Its 4pm and we've just left the ancient Taoist Shaolin Temple at Song Shan near Zhengzhou. This is the famous birth place of Chinese 'kung Fu', and we're now heading north to Beijing.

Yesterday we checked out Qingdoa, the host city of next years Olympic Sailing competition, located on the east coast about 7 hours north of Shanghai; and although its definately an option to be an overnight stop on the rally, we decided to re route to also check out Zhengzhou as its the only other city with 5 star hotels between SH and BJ. Being so close, albeit 10 hours away, we have to complete this recce knowing which route the rally will take. So yesterday we drove 10 hours non stop to Zhengzhou passing through Tai Shan, the ancient Mountain of the Gods, and then Qufu, Confucius birth place!

So far the roads have been great all the way from Shanghai, smooth surfaced motorways, 2-3 lanes wide in each direction. This is very good news, and the gas stations (all pretty much 'Sinopec' ones) sell ok fuel - the Ferrari dealers out here say that 'Sinopec' fuel is good enough, but I'm not sure about the motorway 'fast food' shops. Monkeys 'balls', raw eggs in vinegar and shrink wrapped chickens don't really do it for me!

In Qingdoa after we asked our drivers to take us to Zhengzhou (a 1000km in another direction to what was originally discussed) they were in 'shock' for about two hours. After finally persuading them (with an extra $800) to take us there we took to the road. They are pretty exhausted - but getting into the Gumball spirit - especially now that the car is branded and they are wearing Gumball baseball caps!

Zhengzhou was cool! And we found an amazing 5 star hotel called 'The Yuda Palace' that's very stylish in an old school Chinese way, as well as a 5 star Sofitel. For a city that I'd never even heard of about a month ago its amazing to find out that its bigger than London, with a population is over 12 million, and on top of that its pretty futuristic, and full of Rodeo Drive style high end fashion stores! The way the city is lit up at night is spectacular, with 'Tron' style neon lights on the whole road stystem.

This morning we drove an hour to the ancient Shaolin Temple and martial arts academy. As a massive 'Bruce Lee' fan I'd been excited about coming here for years! The displays of 'kung fu' that we saw were just nuts - literally tens of thousands of trained children between 5-16 years old and monks practising kung fu 'en masse' (and almost every form other of martial arts) all day long. Check out my video clips from some of their excercise routines and demonstrations. If things ever kick off with China, this is one hell of an army of 'kung fu experts' you wouldn't want to mess with!

I bought some cool 'kung fu' shoes (20 RMB, approx $2) - and plan to brush up on my high kicks when I get home to London. Bruce Lee fans eat your heart out!

That's all for today; now I plan on sleeping most of the drive to Beijing. Next update will be from the Forbidden City!"

Maximillion Cooper

Gumball 3000 statement from Max

by Max — posted at 2007-10-05 17:27

Dear fans and followers of Gumball,

It's been a dramatic and emotional week, full of stress, drama and one of disaster in Gumballs nine-year successful history. At this time of mourning my sincere condolence and deepest sympathy go out to the Chepuljoski family that suffered great loss last week.

I thank the many of you that have emailed and text such kind words that have shone light in these dark times, your comments have been uplifting to say the least. I nor anybody involved in the rally could ever have dreamt of a worse scenario or outcome to this years event.

With 6 million road miles covered by 2000 participating cars and crew in the rally over the past 9 years and no previous fatalities, its fair to say our safety record hasn't been at all bad, albeit one or two lucky escapes. In saying that, with such a safety record perhaps as many of the past few days arguments have stated, a fatal accident was inevitably going to happen.

Last Wednesday evening 2nd May, aware of the accident but not its severity, I, along with the rest of the Gumballers were hosted for a gala dinner by the Prime Minister of Albania in Tirana's Presidential Palace. Despite all kinds of rumours flying around the dinner table, the Macedonian authorities informed me that the elderly couple involved were in hospital but were 'okay'.

It was not until all cars were on route to Bratislava the following day that the call came through from the authorities with an official police report that Mr Vladimir Chepuljoski had died of a heart attack during the night caused by the trauma of the accident. I am aware that the timings of our press releases that followed the incident has upset many of you, as many of you felt to have been kept in the dark over the facts, and I even heard the word 'cover-up' being mentioned on one of the forums. I am sorry that it may have felt like this, but I can assure you that I, and the rest of our team were acting as efficiently as we could whilst also following the protocol of finding out the correct information before issuing any incorrect facts.

Our focus this week has been on helping the Chepuljoski family in their moment of need, and we are currently setting up a donation fund to help them through this time of suffering.

We've all put our heart and souls and endless hours into Gumball since its inception in 1999, with a common goal to unite people of all nations and to bring fun and entertainment around the world through the language of the motorcar. We are simply devastated at what has happened, and your continued support of everything positive about the Gumball is enormously appreciated.

Once again thank you for all your kind words, we will honor them all by posting them on our website in the coming weeks.

Maximillion Cooper

Sleepless before the Rally - 25th April 2007

by Max — posted at 2007-25-04 10:38 I'm exhausted right now having just worked through the night with our designer Jay Snooks creative directing this years "official Gumball souvenir program". Its in the format of a mini magazine and we'll be giving them out for 'free' to fans on the streets during the rally. Apart from that as the days countdown to the rally we're just putting the finishing touches to everything; although tonight will be spent away from Gumball at the Chelsea vs. Liverpool match - which has all the makings of being a real cracker! M

Somewhere in Macedonia: ??? - 2nd Feb 2007

by Max — posted at 2007-02-02 02:07 l

I'm currently lost at 01:57 in deepest darkest Macedonia, looking for the border into Albania, as I have lunch in the Presidential Palace tomorrow afternoon.
The past week has been an amazing adventure, full of interesting meetings with Governments, media, new entrants and police escorts!

Happy Birthday Cash: London - 24th Jan 2007

by Max — posted at 2007-01-24 08:31 l

Today is our son, Cash Cooper's first birthday! Disappointingly I can't stay for his "party" as I have to set off to drive this years complete 3000 mile route around Europe. I'm driving with Julie Delylle the 'Rally Manager' - driving the now famous white and pink Gumball 'police' edition Range Rover. On the way down to Istanbul we're heading off the course to meet with my Julie in St. Moritz for some skiing and to attend the Cartier 'Polo on Ice' Tournament - very James Bond! I have my black Porsche ski's and am ready for some downhill action! However, first stop is for a meeting with the Mayor in Amsterdam, so I'll keep you posted with my tales from the road...

A Happy Gumball New Year: Paris - 01st Jan 2007

by Max — posted at 2007-01-01 21:23 l

Happy New Year. Christmas is over - I hope you all had a festive time and that Santa managed to fit the Enzo down your chimney! (but if not there's always next year).

Last night we welcomed in the new year in romantic Paris - watching the amazing firework display from underneath the Eiffel Tower!

With batteries recharged I'm ready for 2007 and another huge year in Gumballs quest to brand the world. In the coming weeks our 'Gumball 3000 Apparel' clothing label goes into 90 stores across the UK, '3000 Miles' is released on DVD, the 9th annual Rally goes through 14 countries from London to Asia and back in May, the new HQ get rennovated, we launch Gumball 3000 Mobile, and work begins on numerous projects that will be launched in 2008 to coincide with Gumballs 10th Anniversary. Its going to be a busy one.....so cheers to a healthy, prosperous and a Gumball New Year!

A Happy Gumball Xmas: Verbier - 24th Dec 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-12-24 11:16 l

After a couple of weeks settling into the new HQ its Christmas and we've headed to Switzerland for a big family bash. There's not much snow, but a load of Gumballers are down here - so we're going to Gumball Verbier! Everyone here at the Gumball HQ wishes Gumballers the world over a very merry christmas!

Gumball on the Move: London - 01st Dec 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-12-01 18:36 l

Its the end of an era as today we move out of the original little Gumball office in Lucerne Mews and into the HUGE new HQ called 'Gumball House' in Notting Hill. We'll miss Lucerne Mews. It began its life as my bachelor pad in the late 90s and later gave birth to the Gumball, housing nearly 20 staff huddled together. There have been some great days there and if the walls could talk I'm sure there'd be a best selling book - memories of photo shoots, TV interviews, friends, celebs and fans knocking on the door at all hours, Johnny Knoxville sleeping on the floor (pre the days of Jackass), Bez and the rest of the Happy Mondays regularly crashing out here after some big nights out, and one particular photo shoot for the Daily Mirror stands out with Goldie, Tara Palmer-Tomkinson and Martine McCutcheon that turned into a fight with one of our neighbours. Oh happy days! The Mews office also had the benefit of garages below, and those garages have stabled just about every dream car that exists over the years - from the mean matt black 1970 Dodge challenger with the worlds biggest sound system - to an Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, various E-Types, Enzo's, a Countach, and countless Porsche's, Rolls Royce's, Lamborghini's, Bentley's and Ferrari's to my own little Lotus Type 47 - that garage has been priviledged! Farewell Lucerne Mews...Gumball House here we come!

3000 Miles Premiere; Update: London - 01st Dec 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-12-01 16:42 l

Wow! What a night that was - the film looked great on the big screen and the live Roxbury orchestra was amazing. The night went really well, from the adidas branded 'Supercars' on the red carpet (thanks to Ezra for the Lamborghini, Richard for the stunning Aston Martin Vanquish and Boughtons for the Koenigsegg), to the Vice vip rooms - the venue was packed, and everyone danced until the early hours to DJ Yoda's amazing mixes. It was great to see some 'old Gumball' faces. Kym Mazelle and her Urban Blues Band got the venue rocking after the film, and then the Fun Lovin' Criminals tore the venue apart! I'd really like to thank everyone that helped make this night a huge success. Thank you.

3000 Miles Premiere: London - 30th Nov 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-11-30 15:02 l

Tonight is the big premiere at the famous Koko Theatre in Camden. Everything seems to be ready, I've spoken to Huey from the Fun Lovin' Criminals, he's really excited to be performing. We've all got TV, radio and magazine interviews all day before we walk up the red carpet at about 8pm. I hope to see some of you there!

3000 Miles Update: London - 29th Nov 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-11-29 21:12 l

Bam Margera, Tony Hawk, Mike V and Rooftop arrived yesterday. Last night was an early one as everyone had jet lag - but we managed a short skate session at the London Eye and then hit the X-Box ramp in Notting Hill til everyone was beat. Today we all watched '3000 Miles' and we recorded a voiceover for a DVD extra. Bam stormed out of the recording session half way through as every time he see's his Lambo doing "donuts" by one of the Gumball crew he flips out!

MPH06: Birmingham - 29th Oct 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-10-29 18:32 l

Gumball spent the weekend in Birmingham at the MPH car show. We had 3 stands so pretty much took over the place. We showed the TV series on a big screen, sold some T's and put a some great cars on display all fresh from the rally - including an Enzo, the 'one-off' Farboud GT, a blinged up Bentley Continental GT, the super rare Lamborghini LM 002, and the Porsche engined nitros injected VW Camper van - a Gumball favourite! And CoPilot had the the orange Porsche Turbo on display that their boss used on the rally. Jeremy Clarkson wondered by and had a chat...I wonder if we'll ever get him on the Gumball?

I'll be at MPH in London next weekend on our stand, so head over if you want to say hello.

Got to go now as I'm driving the Enzo back to London, I just can't stop smiling in this car - its the NUTS!

Countdown to the premiere! - 24th Oct 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-10-24 22:56 l

I've again spent the week on the film and with editing complete we're now colour grading and working on the sound. The film poster will also be finished off tonight, so we'll be putting this on the site in a couple of days. I've also been on the phone all day talking to friends and agents to perform at the premiere after party. I spoke to the Fun Lovin' Criminals and Russell Brand's agent today. Huey and I used to hang out a lot a few years back, he's a cool guy. DJ Yoda is also playing, he's killing it these days. The premiere and party is going to be at Koko in Camden on Thursday November 30th, (everyone from Charlie Chaplin to the Sex Pistols and even Madonna have performed there). It's going to rock that night and I'm going to give away some VIP tickets as competition prizes, so keep checking the website if you're up for attending the party of the year!

Almost There! - 13th Oct 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-10-13 22:05 l

Its been a busy week, working through the night "every night" editing the new Gumball film with Arlen Figgis. Arlens a great editor, he made a really cool film last year called Zootmania www.zootmania.com and his Dad, Mike, has made some amazing films, including the Oscar Winning 'Leaving Las Vegas' with Nicolas Cage, and just recently some great short films for Agent Provocateur with Kate Moss. The film is really starting to look wicked. Next week I'm going to email out some hilarious clips of Bam in his purple Lambo that keeps breaking down (or was it sabotaged??!!!)! This weekend I'm off to a mates stag party at Haymarket horse races - let's see what some real horse power looks like!

So Gumball! - 30th Sept 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-09-30 17:42 l

After another long week of looking at a computer screen 24 hours a day as editing the film nears completion - I'm in Denmark for yet another wedding.

Last night I hit Copenhagens night life with Julies Dad (Gumballer alumni from 2004 - BMW X3), and we bumped into a couple more Danish Gumball entrants - Copenhagens a small, but very cool place - they even have a TV show host thats coined a phrase describing anything that's cool as being "So Gumball". I like Denmark!

Film Editing - 23th Sept 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-09-23 10:48 l

After much debate, I've decided to call the film I'm making about Bam, Ryan Dunn, Tony Hawk, Mike V and Rooftop Escamilla's Gumball experience - '3000 Miles'. Afterall its a 3000 mile roadtrip. The film is really taking shape, and this week the extent of Bams Lamborghini getting sabotaged on the rally became even more clear when mystery footage of it doing donuts on the airport runway in Thailand arrived annonymously to our office. Bam is not happy. In fact he's furious! The question is, "Who was driving the car, and burnt out Bam's clutch?" And what will Bam do to get revenge....

Notting Hill Carnival - 28th Aug 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-08-28 13:22 l

Spent the weekend in London at the Notting Hill carnival with a few Gumballers, including Dirty Sanchez star, Dan Joyce. Dan's also started competing in the 'Drift Racing' series and is co-sponsored by Gumball 3000 Aparel. He told me about the Dirty Sanchez Movie being premiered in Cardiff in September, it sounds hilarious, so I'm looking forward to that one. Check out the trailer at www.dirtysanchezmovie.co.uk. He also gets up to no good in the Gumball film I'm editing - I'm not sure Bam's going to be happy! The carnival was crazy.

Gumball VIP Party - 30th Jul 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-07-31 12:01 l

Hosted a party with Paris Hilton, she wore Gumball 3000 Apparel at the 'Gumball Paris Hilton VIP' Party.

Pammy's Big Day! - 29th Jul 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-07-30 16:19 l

Went to the Pamela Anderson wedding party at Nikki Beach in St Tropez. Another great party, wishing Pamela and Kid Rock the best of luck!

Jeff Gordon's Engagement Party - 28th Jul 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-07-29 11:36 l

Went to Nascar & Indy Car winner Jeff Gordon's engagement party in St Tropez (wearing Gumball on his arm!)

What a Ride! - 24th Jul 2006

by Max — posted at 2006-07-24 10:48 l

Went to the Bugatti factory and test drove a Veyron today. What an awesome car, looking forward to seeing these cars on the starting grid next year.