As the official media partner for Gumball 3000 in Vietnam, Luxuo Media Group had the opportunity to meet and chat with Mr. Maximillion Cooper – the founder of the famous supercar rally Gumball 3000.
Mr. Maximillion Cooper is a passionate car enthusiast and the creator of the Gumball 3000 rally. Known as „Mr. Gumball,“ he is a British entrepreneur with a burning passion for cars and travel. He conceived the bold idea of a large-scale supercar journey that combines speed, music, fashion, and culture. This idea quickly became a reality, and Gumball 3000 is now one of the most anticipated car events worldwide. This year, the globally renowned supercar journey officially announced its route in Southeast Asia, taking place from September 14, 2024, to September 22, 2024, starting in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) and ending in Singapore, promising to bring together over 100 supercars from around the world.
Luxuo Media Group: Hello, Mr. Maximillion Cooper. Could you share the reason why Ho Chi Minh City was chosen as the starting point for this year’s Gumball 3000 journey?
Mr. Maximillion Cooper: Although I just arrived here yesterday, this is not my first time in Vietnam. My wife and I visited Vietnam for our honeymoon after getting married in 2014, and we spent time exploring Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An. As you can see, I am a big fan of this country, which is why we chose it as the starting point for the 2024 journey.
Luxuo Media Group: How did Gumball 3000 come into existence and grow into a global phenomenon?
Mr. Maximillion Cooper: Gumball started from my personal background, especially in the 1990s. At that time, I was around 20 years old and deeply involved in the fashion industry as a designer and model, as well as participating in various sports car races. I was fortunate to attend many prestigious fashion events and make friends with celebrities in the industry, as well as expand my network with friends in music, film, and television. Therefore, the initial goal of Gumball was to connect people, provide an experience and a brand that all my friends could enjoy. This concept quickly gained traction.
Luxuo Media Group: What unique experiences do you hope Gumball 3000 will bring to the people and the country of Vietnam?
Mr. Maximillion Cooper: This is the first time we are bringing Gumball to Vietnam, so there are two aspects to consider when it comes to the event. We have about 120 supercars participating in the journey, gathering people from over 40 countries worldwide. Therefore, including the media, sponsors, etc., there will be around 500 people participating in the event. I think part of what we do is to provide our guests with an amazing experience. Therefore, what we are planning in Vietnam, specifically in Ho Chi Minh City, is crucial to creating that experience. You know, among the 500 participants, there will surely be some who have never been to Vietnam before, and they only have a few days to explore the country before the journey begins. So, we just want to create a fantastic experience for everyone.
Luxuo Media Group: Do you have plans to connect with the supercar community in Vietnam and introduce the unique aspects of Gumball 3000?
Mr. Maximillion Cooper: I think it’s the language of car culture, the car community, and the other interests that Gumball has in terms of brand outreach. It’s great when we have a fan base and a community to connect with wherever we go. I also want car enthusiasts in the region to participate and bring their cars to showcase, to feel like they are part of the event.
Luxuo Media Group: Can you share about the supercars participating in this year’s journey?
Mr. Maximillion Cooper: Every year, we try to maintain the number of cars participating at 120, which has been the optimal number for about 15 years – enough to attract attention wherever we go, but small enough for people to connect and socialize throughout the event. Of the 120 cars, about 20% are hypercars, 20% are supercars, and the rest are luxury cars, customized cars, and classic cars. We truly have all types of cars for enthusiasts.
Luxuo Media Group: What lifestyle trend does Gumball 3000 represent, and how will it resonate with a global audience?
Mr. Maximillion Cooper: As I mentioned, Gumball 3000 has become a lifestyle brand over the past two decades, honoring and associating with popular culture through music, cars, fashion, and various related communities. That’s why the event is so different from any other journey. Additionally, the uniqueness comes from the guests participating in the journey, including rappers, DJs, YouTubers, and many high-profile individuals excited to join the rally, including many genuine car enthusiasts. We also attract those who do not drive but come for the diverse experience that this unique adventure offers.
Luxuo Media Group: Can you share the most memorable moments from previous journeys?
Mr. Maximillion Cooper: There are many memorable moments throughout the 24 years of organizing Gumball, and each journey is a unique and amazing experience. But if I had to choose one or two, I would say that Gumball 2008 was groundbreaking. That year’s journey started in San Francisco, and the format of each season’s event is the same: taking place over a weekend, about six days of driving and events throughout the day, followed by parties and music at night.
We started in San Francisco, drove to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, then the entire convoy flew to Pyongyang (North Korea), stayed there for 24 hours to host a massive music event overnight, and then drove to China the next morning, finally crossing the finish line at the Beijing Olympics. From the idea to an adventurous journey starting from the US to North Korea and ending at the Beijing Olympics in just a week, you can imagine the incredible experience that people had on that occasion.
And I can’t forget the journey in 2014. That journey started from Miami to Ibiza – a small island off Spain. We drove from Miami to Atlanta, New York, then the convoy flew to Scotland and drove across Europe – London, Paris, Barcelona, with Ibiza as the final destination. The most impressive part was that I got married about 4 or 5 days after the journey ended. So, that journey became a memorable part of my life.
Luxuo Media Group: Can you describe Gumball 3000 in three (or five) words?
Mr. Maximillion Cooper: Gumball 3000 is a spectacular, groundbreaking journey that connects people.
Luxuo Media Group: What is your favorite car in your collection?
Mr. Maximillion Cooper: One of my favorite cars is a special carbon fiber Jaguar XJ220, introduced in 1993, which is very rare. I have driven it on several Gumball journeys, but I don’t use it regularly on the streets. This model is also known as „the XJ220,“ with only about six similar cars in the world. It was the fastest supercar at the time of its release, or you could say the first hypercar. So, there is always a crowd gathering around the car whenever I drive it out because they have never seen a Jaguar XJ220 like it. You know, it’s rare to see a special Jaguar XJ220 cruising the streets, so I think that’s my favorite car.
Luxuo Media Group: Thank you for sharing your insights.
In conclusion, Gumball 3000 is not just a car rally; it is a lifestyle brand that celebrates the fusion of speed, music, fashion, and culture. With its unique experiences, diverse participants, and global resonance, Gumball 3000 continues to captivate audiences worldwide and create unforgettable memories for all involved.