Gumball 3000 Latest Update

Dear Gumballers,

ROUTE
After much deliberation, rolls of red tape, recees, meetings with Governments and world leaders, the UN, mayors and the military we can now confirm the definitive route of the 2006 World Rally.

Setting the benchmark for all modern day explorers, the start flag will drop in Central London on Sunday 30th April, when 100 of the most amazing cars, stars and eccentrics will set off on stage one driving a 1000 mile route through Europe, crossing the capital cities of Brussels, Vienna, Budapest, and upon reaching ‘war torn’ Belgrade, all cars and drivers will be airlifted in Russian Antanov cargo planes and an Icelandic Air Boeing 757 to Asia for stage 2.
After landing on the idyllic tropical Island of Langkawi off the coast of Malaysia, the route follows a 1000 mile drive through the beaches and tropical rainforests of Thailand to reach Bangkok for another huge party. The following day the grid will again be airlifted to Salt Lake City, USA, for the final 1000-mile stage through the desert. The route will travel via the Bonneville Salt Flats to Las Vegas and then onwards to cross the finish line on the famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills on Sunday 7th May, ready to party the night away with Hugh Hefner and his Playmates at the famous Playboy Mansion!

VISAS
Visa Requirements are the responsibility of the entrant. It is advised that each Gumballer checks from the list below and investigates with their respective passport agency whether their passport type has specific VISA requirements. Below is a list of countries along the 2006 Gumball route:

UK
France
Belgium
Germany
Austria
Hungary
Serbia
Malaysia (www.imi.gov.my)
Thailand (www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk)
USA

GROUND CLEARANCE
Time to get your tape measures out! For the cargo planes we need to know the ground clearance at the very front of your car by Wednesday next week (ie. the height of the lowest part of your front bumper). The reason for this is that it affects where your will be loaded within the aircraft. Additionally, if your car has been modified, ie. it has flared wheel arches, wider wing mirrors etc, please let us know as this may have an effect as well.

PASSPORT DETAILS
If you have not already done so, please send in a scan of your passport to nick@gumball3000.com immediately.

FLIGHTS
Some of you have enquired into the possibility of obtaining 1st class seats for the two passenger flights. Unfortunately our 757 does not have any first class seats but it does have 12 business class. We will be allocating these to you guys by drawing straws.
We are looking into the costs of private jet charters at the moment. It will be expensive but if any of you are seriously interested in this option please let us know as the take up will of course affect the price.

INSURANCE
Everything is still on track. Still finalising the finer details.

PLAYBOY TICKETS
We have limited tickets for the Gumball 3000 Playboy Mansion Party on May the 7th. These will cost $400 each (includes food and drinks all night). No more than two extra tickets per car will be allocated to start with to give everyone participating a fighting chance of getting their mates along.

SHIPPING
Time is now running out especially if you are thinking of transporting your car from the states to the start in London. Please contact Transcar for a quote (shipping brochure attached).

ENTRY FORMS
If you or your co-driver has changed or has not given us their details please let us know as soon as possible. It is imperative with this world route that we have up to date information from this point on.

Best Regards,

Nick Wyllys