Gumball 2008. Can it happen? Should t happen? How do we support Max to make it safer?

[Billy Whiz]

I for one do not want this to be the end of the Gumball 3000 Rally. Despite the fatal accident on this years event (and I am not belittling the couple here), and regardless of blame for that accident, this rally has had a great safety record. Yes there have been crashes before now and some biggies too, but that hapens daily whether you are in a Ferrari in a motoring event or in a Ford Fiesta on your way to work. For that matter we all take risks when travelling, whether driving or walking.

The problem has been that the 'Spirit' of the Gumball has been lost and the event has been hyped up too much. Or not, what do you think? Is the rally now just a platform for Glory Hunters wanting to get some screen action?

Cathy Keeler of Brake, the road safety charity, said: "If it turns out that people have been driving outside the spirit of the event and using it as an unofficial road race then the organisers should cancel it next year. Racing on the public roads puts lives at risk."

If Cathy from Brake can se there was a 'spirit' to the Gumball, then why has that been lost?

Michael Ross, long time Gumballer is quoted to have said "It is not a put your foot to the floor, go as fast as you can event," so why do some people treat the event as such then? I have met Michael and his brother on the event and I know him to be proud of his involvement in the event as are many others are including me.

So why do we let a few spoil the 'Spirit of the Gumball' for the rest of us and the fans? What can we do to stop the fools getting past the entry fee. I cannot help but think that while money still talks Max will keep listening.

Can we put our heads together and be constructive here and try to save the Gumball and rebuild the 'Spirit of the Gumball'. Please post your mature and constructive suggestions here. Let's hope Max is reading this and takes up some ideas to improve safety and rebuild confidence in the Gumball.

I hope you will all support this thread.

[M4Motoring]

I Can only hope it will be done next year.... im not saying the fatality wasnt a big deal... But the truth is people are gonna forget it in a few months or weeks ( sorry but thats the truth...) its gonna be forgotten just like this thread... im not saying its right but its the truth...

[lup_paul]

while your thread has a constructive point of view , you're facing a hard challenge . no doubt people will still speed in these events . thing is how can you pace them in certain areas , that are more dangerous then others .

[hal2000]

I thought the spirit of the gumball was to party and drive hard through different countries in 7 days with as little sleep as possible.

the checkpoints were spaced that one couldnt get there in time by abiding all rules and regulations and getting a good 8 hours sleep per night..



If you think this won't and can't happen again you are fooling yourself.

If you dont want anyone to speed but them all in specially equipped , identical speed governed cards. no gps, no cell phones , and make it a test of navigational skills. No alcohol at parties. no parties past midnight..and no after parties. Woudlnt that be fun? you could rename it the Turdball 3000

[Habib_2]

Two cars were impoundend and 7 driver's licenses or so when they were in Holland some days ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6LNW2nx0NA


Another example of Gumball3000 not being a race and drivers abiding the rules and driving safely:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbAk1ci6D0w


...this rally has had a great safety record...

I would say that a LOT of luck must have been involved in the past years if I watch the vids.

Accidents are inevitable if I see the driving styles.


Or am I wrong and is it a perfect example of safe driving practices, not endangering others?

[akosm5]

[QUOTE=Billy Whiz

The problem has been that the 'Spirit' of the Gumball has been lost and the event has been hyped up too much. Or not, what do you think? Is the rally now just a platform for Glory Hunters wanting to get some screen action?


I totally agree with you! The Gumball has changed. Now, it is about the money I think. Sorry, I mean to show the money
It's very expensive to enter the rally, the cars are traveling in planes instead of be driven by the participants! , the side starts attenuate /if you understand me /. On the other hand, I like the gadgets what the Gumballers use, the GPS and some lasers against the police
Do you remember the 2004 and 2005 Rally? I think those were the best in the history of the Gumball. The route and the mentioned spirit were fantastic. I would see that kind of Gumball and not the new generation of Gumball. Do you agree with me?

Cheers,

[Billy Whiz]

Originally Posted by lup_paul

while your thread has a constructive point of view , you're facing a hard challenge . no doubt people will still speed in these events . thing is how can you pace them in certain areas , that are more dangerous then others .

That is quite simple really. As with other events I have been on, the stages between the ckeckpoints are timed, and if you arrive at the checkpoint too soon you are penalised because of obvious speeding. Here we could measure the average speed and ban any driver who has clearly been using excessive speed. For more dangerous stages you allow more time to complete it and thus reduce the speed.

Also working with the authorities, drivers could be banned from the event if they were caught by the local law enforcement agency for a excessive speed too. Say an automatic ban for 100mph and warning for less?!?!?!

[Billy Whiz]

Originally Posted by akosm5

Do you remember the 2004 and 2005 Rally? I think those were the best in the history of the Gumball. The route and the mentioned spirit were fantastic. I would see that kind of Gumball and not the new generation of Gumball. Do you agree with me?

I do agree, I had a blast though with the speed limits being lifted for the moroccan leg of the 2004 rally it became a free for all and that resulted in carnage. Again it was a case of a few fools driving way beyond their skills and beyond the fitness of the roads.

[Billy Whiz]

Originally Posted by Habib_2

Another example of Gumball3000 not being a race and drivers abiding the rules and driving safely:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbAk1ci6D0w


...this rally has had a great safety record...

I would say that a LOT of luck must have been involved in the past years if I watch the vids.

Accidents are inevitable if I see the driving styles.


Or am I wrong and is it a perfect example of safe driving practices, not endangering others?

I would agree with you. The GT2 driver in this clip is of course our very own moderator Lonman, however, and though I do not condone his driving style at times, there is no doubt over his driving skills. He is a very capable driver.

But it is this style of video clip that many want to be a part of, for all its glory. I have to say that I have a video of my doing high speeds on the moroccan highway, but I was the only car for miles behind and I did slow to pass the truck ahead. As Renton has said it is possible to drive fast and safe.

It is a question of managing speed and self control!

[Habib_2]

Originally Posted by Billy Whiz

I would agree with you. The GT2 driver in this clip is of course our very own moderator Lonman, however, and though I do not condone his driving style at times, there is no doubt over his driving skills. He is a very capable driver.

But it is this style of video clip that many want to be a part of, for all its glory. I have to say that I have a video of my doing high speeds on the moroccan highway, but I was the only car for miles behind and I did slow to pass the truck ahead. As Renton has said it is possible to drive fast and safe.

It is a question of managing speed and self control!

I had remembered that clip of Spain because board members would be bashed if they showed driving like that while in this forum it was hailed.

Sure, I too drive much too fast and sometimes recklessly.
I agree that it is possible to drive fast and still safe, however not so as safe as driving at lower speeds with the same skills.


The point I tried to make is that there will always be people participating in Gumball (or whatever race, yes IMO they are a race) with the potential of causing major injuries or ***** due to their participation.

If it was a random Porsche it would not have been Worldnews. But it was part of an organized event, a high profile one, which caused the awareness by the general public.

IMO, it will be hard to pretend that events like Gumball don't increase the risk of fatalities and possible imprisonment and trials in a foreign country.