The Gumball 3000 road rally began in 1999 with 50 cars traveling across Europe in the tradition of the (in)famous Cannonball Run. In short, the drivers were charged with the task of traveling 3000 miles in 5 days, enduring fatigue, unfamiliar surroundings, mechanical difficulties, and each other. It is as much a sporting event as a social happening. Participants range from blue collar workers in 100,000 mile Oldsmobiles to Sheiks in customized Rolls Royce limousines. Anything goes, and often does.

Over the years, the event has gained notoriety, primarily in the upper echelon of society. It's not uncommon for Ferraris to travel in packs of a dozen or more. The Gumball 3000 is limited to 100 cars. Participants are chosen based on their individuality

The rally is now a well known event covered internationally by local and national broadcast and cable networks. In August of 2001 it was featured on a special 1 hour episode of MTV's Jackass. MTV has committed to cover the 2002 event as well.

The Gumball 3000 2002 is scheduled for April 24th and will retrace the "original" Cannonball Run route across 13 states from New Your City to Los Angeles. Public highways are the course and the event will be observed by the public en masse.