The 2007 Gumball 3000 Rally cancelled
Update: Another two cars have been crashed, this time in Montenegro. The red Ford GT, because of high speeds and bad weather and another Porsche GT was also wrecked.
24 hours after the Porsche accident, the Gumball 3000 Organisation has decided to cancell the rally for the remaining part. Therefore the rally will end in Bratislava instead of London. Read the official press email below:
Issued by Maximillion Cooper on behalf of The Gumball 3000 Rally - 21.30 / 03 May 2007
Following our earlier release reporting yesterday’s accident - As a sign of respect we have decided that this year’s Gumball 3000 Rally will not travel any further and will end in Bratislava this evening, May 3rd 2007.
As the organisers of the rally we feel that it should be stopped as a mark of respect to Vladimir Cepulyoski who died today after an accident involving one the participating drivers.
We are very saddened by what has happened and feel that it would be wrong to continue. On behalf of Gumball 3000, we once again extend our deepest sympathies to his family and we are doing everything we can for them.
This is the first time anything like this has happened in 9 years of travelling through over 40 countries with 1000’s of drivers and it is with deep regret that I make this announcement.
Maximillion Cooper
Founder & CEO
The Gumball 3000 Group
Another accident is a fact. This Ford GT was involved in an accident with the Porsche Carrera GT. No idea if there’re any injuries. Click on the picture for hi-res.
May 4th, 2007 at 6:20 am
Wise move ! I think you should also consider not having one in 2008. It’ll seem “too soon” to come right back a year later. Or at least somehow make it more of a completely different event. For example, you could make it a tour of race tracks around europe, with points being scored from lap times. The travelling from track to track not being an issue there’d be no reason for anyone to race.
May 4th, 2007 at 7:08 am
What a shame…
May 4th, 2007 at 8:01 am
Tour of the race tracks sounds good. On some rallies I have been on, the most points are gained by those whose time is the closest by adhering to the speed limit. Then they can have their blat round the track.
May 4th, 2007 at 9:23 am
I dont think leaving it out next year should be an option … one of the biggest events of the year and because of this sorrowful incident just cancel 2 of them? Accidents happen, even to the best drivers (even me
) and bystanders shouldnt get hurt, but the world aint perfect. The superstars + media are behind this event because there is such a great support for this event and millions of fans are dreaming of beaing a part of gumball some day in any way. Taking away this, aint the way to go.
There are a couple of clones to this event as well and if for some reasons, gumball would not continue, there would be other rallys/races that could have the same consequences. Until now, for 9 years, noone has had a problem with the rules of gumball. Noone actually followed them and nothing had happened. Now that this has happened, the drivers would be more cautios anyway.
To sum it all up, I and probably most fans, would be sad to see such an unfortunate accident end a legendary event like this.
May 4th, 2007 at 9:47 am
This sort of accident was bound to happen on one of these races………I have followed Gumball for a number of years now and found that the drivers have no regard for their own safety and that of others.
Max needs to re-evaluate the whole concept of the Gumball…saftey of the general public should be is number one on his priority list………
Its a sad day for Gumball……..
May 4th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Crying over spilled milk. If you organise such an event accidents are waiting to happen!!
May 4th, 2007 at 10:28 am
R.I.P so sad that a life was taken in such a horrid way, my heart goes out to the family.The right decission was made to end gumball this year and i have no doubt that maximillion will hav to take a long hard look at the idea of ever having another one in the same context that the race has just now.The idea of such fast cars being on public roads in sum what of a race sounds dangerous from the out go.Just so sad that it had to end like this.
May 4th, 2007 at 10:33 am
How sad that a fatal accident occured; though I’m big fan of this race I’m even more shocked by the report of the gumball participants that reportedly tried to escape the police; is this true???
If so: Come on you fucking spoiled little pussies. Play it hard, get it hard, be a man and indeed for once put your money where your mouth is and stand up for your acts. The race’s image, which I really love, is even more soiled by the attitude and moral ethics of participants of these kind IF it is true they really tried to escape the police.
All my respect and heartfelt feelings of grief to the familly of the deceased.
Michael
May 4th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
I guess it was just a question of time for such a terrible thing to happen. ‘organizers are very saddened’ - like they give a damn about the people in countries through which the rally passes. quite hypocritical, I think. a bunch of rich people taking other’s lives for fun.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
this was not an accident but something anyone could have seen coming.
helping the family is one thing, admitting how wrong it was to ever organize this event is the only wise thing left to do.
May 4th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
The accident was tragic but that’s no reason to change Gumball. The statement said this was the first of its kind in 9 years, If Gumball was so dangerous then it would happen every year but it doesnt. Racing around a track would just make it like every other racing event. The fact that it is so different is was makes it so interesting and exciting. It is a true shame but at the end of the day it was just like any other road accident, wrong place at the wrong time. This accident will be on all of the drivers minds and I’m sure that next year they may be more speed enforcement but at the same time the drivers will be more aware of themselves and others.
May 4th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
I would kick Cooper’s ass if I could and the exact thing I would like to do with all the participants and the sponsors.
I’m almost angry! Poor man died. Poor his familiy.
Those two in the Porsche deserved to DIE!
May 4th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
Must say that the “Mille Miglia” was closed after an accident.
Now it’s held only as historic race, but last year there was an accident and probably it will close again.
I like the idea of “Gumball in Track”…it would be very interesting to see a lot of cars…and what about a 5euro bill to see them?
May 4th, 2007 at 4:08 pm
Noble words but they come too late and weigh too little.
If you organize an illegal race on the public roadnet, then you are very well aware of the huge risk that is involved for the lives of innocent bystanders. The fact that no such accident has happened in 9 years is a small miracle, but it is in no way an excuse for consciously choosing to play with the life of others every year.
Mister Cooper, you carry a crushing responsibility for this accident. The only thing you can really do to pay respect to the victims is to abandon the Gumball race altogether, also in the future. If you organize it again in 2008, you spit on the tomb of Vladimir Cepulyoski.
May 4th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Killer!
May 4th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
So someone also wrecked their GT? The gold decals mean this is an 07 car, no?
May 4th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
I am writing to you from 50 miles from the scene, a town called Bitola in the Republic of Macedonia (why do they call the county FYROM, I guess for the dumb Greek policy,not letting the country use her own name and her own history).
The citizens here were not notified of the upcoming race, nor GUMBALL took precautionary. The road that was driven was suitable for ONLY 45mph! not 120!mph, it doesn’t matter if you have a Porsche or a VW Golf the forces on your vehicle are the same.
This is a cry to all of the future participants not to take the road signs, condition of the road for granted, and don’t show your egos, an ego that took a life away!
I think the whole GUMBALL organization should be ashamed of this incident, esp. all the participants with money crazy, playboy attitude!
Thank you, and goodbye from sunny Macedonia!
May 4th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
Please don’t call this an accident. Nicholas Morley, Matthew McConvile and all others in GB3000 all willingly took the risks. Let’s call this murder in the first degree! And running away from the crimescene shows Nicholas and Matthew knew that. Let Nicholas and Matthew rot in a Macadonean prison for at least 20 years!
May 4th, 2007 at 6:06 pm
We’re so quick to blame gumball for this incident. We say cooper’s to blame, gumball’s to blame…they’re all killers! Right? Frankly, I don’t buy it. As sad and tragic as this incident is, the blame should squarely fall on the shoulders of the two douche bags who thought it best to be the lowest pieces of society and flee an accident that THEY caused with THEY’RE CARELESS ACTIONS. Cooper was not at the site, he did not tell them to run..those two fuckers did that on their own. People are saying that gumball was trying to cover this all up initially..I highly doubt it. With an event this massive and with so many variables to planning it and negotiating with so many legal/government authorities across so many countries, Gumball hq had to get all the facts before making a monumental decision like this. I believe this decision (stop the rally) was the right one, but so many people jumped to the conclusion of conspiracy - that gumball was trying to cover their asses. Rubbish. This is a RALLY not a race..it says so clearly in the entry form. But as we all know, the drivers that enter push their high performance cars to the limits. We see it in all the gumball movies. But who are we to judge as fans…we eat it up! We love to watch these guys flying through traffic or hauling down the highways and speeds we can only dream of doing (safely) in our own cars. Think of it..you have to vids on the net to download..between the start of the rally or one of an enzo flying down the highway with a porsche and lambo. Which one are you gonna choose? These drivers know the risks when they enter..and these two brits made the worst decision of their lives and have wrecked this event for everybody. I was planning to enter in next year’s rally, but now I think we can kiss the one goodbye, maybe forever. My tired point though is for us as fans to place the blame on the true villians, car 74, of this accident and not just point fingers because we feel like it.
Thoughts and prayers to the family of the deceased. And prayers to the older lady for a full recovery.
May 4th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Not one…but two victims…today.
May 4th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
I am affraid this was no accident. You only have to consider the number of traffic violations the participants of this event left behind in the european countries they crossed and you know they consider themselves above the law. I am glad the murderers were caught at the border and justice will follow. Just cancel this event forever or do this in a place were ordinary people who have nothing to do with the race are not at risk!
May 4th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
This was bound to happen sooner or later. Many Gumball participants have been involved in serious accidents, and it was only a matter of time before an innocent member of the public was hurt or, as in this case, killed.
The event is a good idea, but there is no safety aspect in the organisation whatsoever. The speeding and reckless driving is bordering on the insane and unfortunately two innocent people’s lives have been claimed.
Shut the fucking thing down for good. Maximillion Cooper should be held responsible for the complete lack of safety and blatant disregard of the law.
I wonder if the fuckwit who was driving the Porsche had to submit to a roadside alcohol test? Considering the late night driving and early starts, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he wasn’t over the limit as well…
May 4th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
2 Victims Confirmed
http://www.makfax.com.mk/look/novina/article.tpl?IdLanguage=1&IdPublication=2&NrArticle=66196&NrIssue=337&NrSection=10
May 4th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
@ Joe:
New topic is created:
http://www.gumball3000blog.com/2007/05/04/gumball-2007-second-victim-of-the-gumball-crash/
Also Metacafe closed his doors for Gumball 3000 video submitters:
Because of terribly unfortunate events involving a fatal accident, this year’s Gumball 3000 Rally has been cancelled. In sympathy with the victims and their families, Metacafe has decided to close this contest and online celebration. Although we will not be accepting additional submissions, we will send out wristbands for items already submitted.
Source: http://blog.metacafe.com/?p=114
May 4th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
It is pretty sad what happened, I have been waiting to see those supercars in Bratislava, but… at least some of them arrived. Funny thing is how many people were waiting without knowing what has happened, there was no one to tell them. Richie arrived in his brutal Bentley GT and said, where is the fu****g music, because there was no music playing at 11PM on the place, people left after staying long hours and just some real fans were waiting for nothing. Some of them took day off to see the show, but there was nothing. Too sad, but I understand that it would not be appropriate to continue the rally. In my opinion it was just a matter of time until such accident would occure, driving 3000 miles is not as funny and pushing it too hard can be deadly, not just for drivers as we have heard.
Ok, I hope that the Gumball 10 would be without such accidents, and if they would go again through Bratislava or near by, I would be happy
May 5th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I agree with Jeff. There are tons of rallys happening all over the place - Gumball, Carbon Black, Scumball, Modball etc etc etc - ANY event which involves CARS and MEN together is going to be a liability. Fact - when men get together in cars (happening all over the world, every day) accidents will definately happen. Men love cars, love driving them fast, love showing off, love racing - and men love watching that - especially the crashes!
The idea that Gumball is more dangerous that any other rally is wrong - the Scumball is about driving cheap cars - what if you killed someone when your car fell to bits because it was a piece of shit. Then everyone would say ‘what a stupid idea - cheap cars!’
This could have happened in any organised rally at any time because men worldwide cant help themselves behind the wheel of any car.
Even if the majority on any event are well behaved you are always going to get a few assholes - and people determined to be first - even if its not a race.
May 5th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
and do you guys believe that these guys drive by the speedlimits when they aint in the rally? its just that it happend during the rally that it made it into the news …
May 5th, 2007 at 4:22 pm
exactly! its not just people with supercars and money - there are 1000s of guys in other souped up cars flying around all over the country right now…… everyone is at it - probably the people that are going tut tut right now.
May 11th, 2007 at 2:27 am
Agreed. And Gumball is at fault for allowing these speed freaks into the rally, knowing from all the video produced in past years that they will continue to break the law for fun. Even if teams such as Team Polizei are gracious in their support efforts of the victims family, they still go into the event planning to speed and outrun cops. If the Gumball is to be taken seriously as a rally, these people must not be allowed to enter. It’s sobering truth, even if we don’t want to hear it.
May 11th, 2007 at 2:53 pm
I just think the whole concept of the gumball was asking for another more seroius accident than we have had before…… I mean,young rich guys in fast cars (that they are going to drive fast) on shitty dirt roads!? I’m sorry you’d think the guys driving would take this into account……as well as the organisers. I love the gumball as much as anyone, but i’m afraid its going to have to change sadly, before anyone else dies……
May 12th, 2007 at 3:30 am
anyone has any pics from the carrera gt that crashed?