• Part of the Gumball 3000 supercar rally arrives on Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Part of the Gumball 3000 supercar rally arrives on Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Stars in their supercars wind through the roads as they take on a 20-kilometre hill climb
    Stars in their supercars wind through the roads as they take on a 20-kilometre hill climb
  • The 23rd Gumball 3000 Rally is the first to be held in the Middle East
    The 23rd Gumball 3000 Rally is the first to be held in the Middle East
  • The annual celebrity car race was founded in 1999 by British entrepreneur Maximillion Cooper
    The annual celebrity car race was founded in 1999 by British entrepreneur Maximillion Cooper
  • It takes thousands of high-speed motors on a journey around the world
    It takes thousands of high-speed motors on a journey around the world
  • The Middle East route started in Dubai, then took the drivers to Oman before hitting Ras Al Khaimah and then onto Abu Dhabi in time for the Grand Prix weekend
    The Middle East route started in Dubai, then took the drivers to Oman before hitting Ras Al Khaimah and then onto Abu Dhabi in time for the Grand Prix weekend
  • More than 100 supercars, grid cars and celebrity drivers sped through the winding roads as spectators looked on from the Jebel Jais viewing deck
    More than 100 supercars, grid cars and celebrity drivers sped through the winding roads as spectators looked on from the Jebel Jais viewing deck
  • Rally fans will be able to watch the cars cross the finish line at the W Hotel on the practice day of the final race
    Rally fans will be able to watch the cars cross the finish line at the W Hotel on the practice day of the final race
  • The Gumball team will award the Spirit of Gumball Trophy at the Gumball Awards in Abu Dhabi
    The Gumball team will award the Spirit of Gumball Trophy at the Gumball Awards in Abu Dhabi
  • The idea for the Gumball Rally, the name for which comes from the 1976 film of the same title, began in May 1999
    The idea for the Gumball Rally, the name for which comes from the 1976 film of the same title, began in May 1999
  • Cooper invited some influential friends on a 'road trip' across Europe, hosting parties attended by the likes of Kate Moss, Jamiroquai, Kylie Minogue, Tony Hawk and Johnny Knoxville
    Cooper invited some influential friends on a 'road trip' across Europe, hosting parties attended by the likes of Kate Moss, Jamiroquai, Kylie Minogue, Tony Hawk and Johnny Knoxville
  • It then evolved into a popular brand and global entertainment company
    It then evolved into a popular brand and global entertainment company
  • Gumball 3000 is now a collection of companies that includes an apparel brand and a registered charity
    Gumball 3000 is now a collection of companies that includes an apparel brand and a registered charity
  • All types of owners and their cars take part
    All types of owners and their cars take part
  • Spectators come out to watch
    Spectators come out to watch
  • It was an exciting morning in Jebel Jais
    It was an exciting morning in Jebel Jais
  • It kicked off in Dubai with a live concert
    It kicked off in Dubai with a live concert
  • Spectacular views in Jebel Jais
    Spectacular views in Jebel Jais

Lifestyle

Motoring

Stars in supercars tackle 20km hill in Jebel Jais for Gumball 3000

The annual celebrity motor rally hits the Middle East for the first time

Katy Gillett
Katy Gillett

November 17, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The 23rd Gumball 3000 Rally is the first to be held in the Middle East.

The annual celebrity car race, which was founded in 1999 by British entrepreneur Maximillion Cooper, takes thousands of high-speed motors on a journey around the world.

Its first regional outing began on Saturday with a live concert for "Gumballers" and fans, before the team dropped the flag in Downtown Dubai and started the adventure.

The route took drivers to Oman with stops in Jebel Akhdar, Salalah and Muscat and on Thursday they hit Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah for a 20-kilometre hill climb.

More than 100 supercars, grid cars and celebrity drivers sped through the winding roads as spectators looked on from the Jebel Jais viewing deck.

On Friday, the crew head to Abu Dhabi for a weekend of VIP hospitality at the Yas Marina Circuit, where the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is marking the finale of the 2022 Formula 1 season.

Rally fans will be able to watch the cars cross the finish line at the W Hotel on the practice day of the final race.

The Gumball team will then host parties throughout the weekend and award the Spirit of Gumball Trophy at the Gumball Awards.

The idea for the Gumball Rally, the name for which comes from the 1976 film of the same name, began in May 1999, when Cooper invited some influential friends on a "road trip" across Europe, hosting parties attended by the likes of Kate Moss, Jamiroquai, Kylie Minogue, Tony Hawk and Johnny Knoxville.

It soon became a must-do on the annual calendar among the social elite, according to the society pages at the time. It then evolved into a popular brand and global entertainment company and Gumball 3000 is now a collection of companies that includes an apparel brand and a registered charity.

It's still best known as the annual 3,000-mile (4,828km) international celebrity motor rally, which takes place on public roads all around the world.

Scroll through the gallery below to see F1 drivers arriving in Abu Dhabi for the Grand Prix this weekend

  • Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes arrives at Yas Marina Circuit on Thursday, November 17, ahead of the 2022 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2022. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
    Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes arrives at Yas Marina Circuit on Thursday, November 17, ahead of the 2022 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2022. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
  • Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel is all smiles as he arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.
    Aston Martin's Sebastian Vettel is all smiles as he arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.
  • Fernando Alonso of Alpine arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.
    Fernando Alonso of Alpine arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.
  • Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas with girlfriend, Tiffany Cromwell, arrive at Yas Marina Circuit.
    Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas with girlfriend, Tiffany Cromwell, arrive at Yas Marina Circuit.
  • Lance Stroll of Aston Martin arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.
    Lance Stroll of Aston Martin arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.
  • Zhou Guanyu of Alfa Romeo
    Zhou Guanyu of Alfa Romeo
  • Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas with girlfriend, Tiffany Cromwell, arrive at Yas Marina Circuit.
    Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas with girlfriend, Tiffany Cromwell, arrive at Yas Marina Circuit.
  • Mercedes driver George Russell poses for a picture with a young fan.
    Mercedes driver George Russell poses for a picture with a young fan.
  • George Russell arrives in Abu Dhabi an F1 race winner having taken the chequered flag last time out in Brazil.
    George Russell arrives in Abu Dhabi an F1 race winner having taken the chequered flag last time out in Brazil.
  • Alpine driver Esteban Ocon arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.
    Alpine driver Esteban Ocon arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.
  • Nyck De Vries of Williams
    Nyck De Vries of Williams
  • Norbert Vettel, father of Sebastian, arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.
    Norbert Vettel, father of Sebastian, arrives at Yas Marina Circuit.
  • Visitors arrive to see the drivers arrive at Yas Marina Circuit.
    Visitors arrive to see the drivers arrive at Yas Marina Circuit.
  • Lewis Hamilton fan Sophie Morris
    Lewis Hamilton fan Sophie Morris
  • Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes signs a cap for a fan at Yas Marina Circuit.
    Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes signs a cap for a fan at Yas Marina Circuit.
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
  • Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000 
  • Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000 
  • Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000 
  • HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 
  • Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000 
  • Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000 
  • Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000 
  • Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000 
  • Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000 
  • Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
  • Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
  • Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000

Various Artists 
Habibi Funk: An Eclectic Selection Of Music From The Arab World (Habibi Funk)
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
While you're here

Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.

Updated: November 17, 2022, 1:44 PM
Ras Al KhaimahSupercars