Wow… Another Gumball 3000 rally has passed.  While about 40 cars are in China right now, the rest of us have departed Las Vegas and back in the real world.  It is only obvious why it has taken me 2 days to finish this blog wrap up on the Gumball 3000 US Leg event… Las Vegas!  Having arrived into Vegas on Monday, we partied in true Gumball fashion after an incredible drive through the desert. 

Team Vivid Racing’s 996TT and 997TT left The IVY hotel in San Diego at 8am to embark on its final leg to Las Vegas.  The teams going to China headed to Victorville where they dropped off their cars to be loaded into cargo planes.  We cruised the highway and took in the scenary.  Where it was safe, we did some high speed runs.  We took our 997TT to 162mph where we let off as any faster would have ripped our faces off.  The car pulls and pulls and pulls!!!  Most of the time we cruised around at about 100mph and 85mph when in traffic.  We did come across a couple of Gumballers, but with the large stretch of highway on the I-15, cars were very spread out.  We finally arrived into Las Vegas after a couple of pit stops at 2:00pm.

Upon arrival, we headed to the 8th floor of the parking garage where a small crowd had gathered for our arrival.   We checked into our room overlooking the famous Hard Rock pool and started to meet up with other Gumballers.  Friend and 3 time Gumballer Jarod DeAnda, “The Voice of Formula D”, flew in and met up with us.  Other friends including Bam and Ryan Dunn, Tyson Beckford, and Curtis from the Famous Stars and Straps skate team all hung out.  The night line up was a VIP party at Wasted Space.  There we would have an awards ceremony for the US Leg finishers and a couple of special performances by the infamous Cuban Brothers and the Alkoholics.  The rest of the night involved all of bicep movement!

This US leg of Gumball 3000 was an amazing time.  Reflecting on the past 3 Gumball 3000 rallies we have done in 2003, 2004, 2006, I felt that after last years issue, Gumball has acted professionally and taken control.  To my knowledge there were no major incidents, a low amount of tickets, great checkpoints and driving, as well as a new level of media coverage.  Over 50 film crews were involved in the rally shooting for everything from CNN, to Fuel TV, Internet shows, and more.  Just do a search on Google News or YouTube for Gumball 3000 2008 and you will come across many great stories.  In the end, I got to see old friends, meet great clients, and receive some cool gear from Nixon, Puma, Rogue Status and DTA, as well as Famous Stars and Straps.  After 3 Gumball 3000 events and 1 Bullrun rally, am I retired?  2009 Los Angeles to Miami, we will see!!!

Special thanks to my co-driver Bucky Lasek pro skateboarder for showing me how to drive a 997TT to death. All the customers that brought out the display cars to each stop.  Team Vivid Racing drivers Matt and Jack for keeping it real and representing the spirit of Gumball.  Maxx and Julie of Gumball 3000 for continually giving me the most exciting experience of the year.  HRE Wheels, JIC Cross, Softronic ECU Tuning for making this Porsche 997TT mean as hell.  Mr. Valentine whoever you are for getting me out of many tickets!  Finally all the Vivid Racing crew for making sure the boat was still going straight.  Good luck in China to everyone else!

Check out all the great 2008 Gumball 3000 US Leg photos we shot here.   

 

 

 

This years Gumball 3000 is the 10th anniversary of the world famous rally. Vivid Racing has done 3 of these amazing events and we are attending this years US Leg as well.

To help Gumball 3000 out, we are putting an open call for vehicles to attend the San Fransisco start as well as the Hollywood and San Diego stops. We are looking for 40 vehicles at each stop to be featured as display cars for the thousands of visitors to check out. This is open for all Enthusiasts or Business vehicles. There will be tons of magazine and media press at the events. Including CNN and MTV filming. This is a great way to get some FREE exposure.

Celebrities from Rob Dyrdek, Big Black, Johnny Knoxville and the other JackAss crew, David Hasslehoff and his original KIT car, Travis Barker, and many more! Everything from lowriders, JDM tuner cars, Ferraris, Porsches, Bugatti, Lamborghini, and other cars will be on the amazing Rally.

If you want to park your car at the event, send a email to dan@vividracing.com and mpryce@gumball3000.com with a picture of your car attached. We will get back to you on the submission. Come down regardless and check out the mayhem!

San Fransisco Event Info -

Taylor Street between California Street and Sacramento Street.

8th August

• 15.00 – Arrive with your vehicle in The Fairmont car park

• 19.00 – All cars driven onto the grid (2 Blocks outside Fairmont)

• 23.00 – 02.00 Gumball 3000 10th Anniversary World Tour start party at Temple SF.

9th August

• 11.00 Drivers ready in cars

• 12.30 RALLY START

• Parade thru Lombard Street

• Following traveling thru Lombard Street all ‘display cars’ can now branch off out of the rally.

Los Angeles Event Info -

Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Orange (Kodak Theatre/Manns Theatre area).

• 17.00 – 18.00 = display cars arrive on display

• 19.00 onwards = Gumball Rally arrives.

• 23.00 – 02.00 = Tropicana Party

San Diego Event Info -

F Street between 6th and 7th Street.

• 10.00 = display cars arrive on display

• 14.00 onwards = Gumball Rally arrives

• 22.00 – 02.00 = Ivy Hotel roof terrace PARTY

We can offer 2 entries for each car to the party in Temple on the evening of the 8th August. As you will probably know Temple is one of the most exclusive venues in SF. There will be a big name guest DJ, hosted by Maximillion Cooper (Founder Gumball 3000) and the Cuban Brothers. This will be an A list party full of models and celebrities.

Our events always attract a HUGE crowd and will be a perfect opportunity to show off your rides. We have a giant Jumbotron LED screen at the end of the car display, and the whole car display will be barriered off so the public cannot get to your vehicles during the event display.

Check out pictures from our previous Gumball 3000 Events here -

Gumball 3000 2003 San Fransisco to Miami - YouTube - Gumball 3000 Slide Show

Gumball 3000 2004 Paris, Morocco, Cannes - http://www.vividracing.com/forums/gallery/browseimages.php?c=135&userid=

Gumball 3000 2006 US Leg SLC to LA - http://www.vividracing.com/forums/gallery/browseimages.php?c=55&userid=