Gumball 3000 in New Orleans

I didn't see that anyone else has posted this, so: http://www.gumball3000.com/RALLY

The second to last stop is in New Orleans, so I guess that should mean they will get in on the evening of the 6th, leaving for Florida the next morning!

I heard they're staying at the Royal Sonesta...
Here's the autoblog link http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/01/gumball-3000-set-for-11th-running-with-los-angeles-to-miami-rall/

 

I went down there a few years ago when they were at the windsor court. A lot of neat cars were there. Ill have to find them this year too.

 

im going to try to be there. would appreciate any info on times etc. thanks

 

Saw some of the Gumball cars going down I10 east this afternoon.

The cars I saw weren't anything special- other then lots of look at me graphics and cameras mounted on them.
All i saw were some ricers and a 3 series BMW.

 

If there are any crazy exotics I hope someone gets some good pictures of them on Bourbon or in the area.

 

Saw a great group of cars, both in the Sonesta garage, and beside Hard Rock. Veyron, multiple Ferrari's and Lambo's. Did not see the SSC. Talked to some of the guys driving. A very interesting, mostly british, group of people. Took some pics and will post if i can.

 

im uploading my pictures from the french quarter now. nothing too special but i got a few of the veyron that was in the royal sonesta garage. ill post some here in a little bit

 

here are my gumball pics. i got word that they were getting a police escort to this place in the french quarter at 8. i got there at 830 thinking that i had missed it but most of the cars had not come yet. the police escort ccame around 9 and i managed to get a good spot near the entrance to the parking lot where most of the cars are spending the night. i used a nikon D60 that i borrowed from a friend. i had never used it so i basically kept it on 'auto' mode or the no flash mode. it was really cool to see all the cars and hear the sounds. unfortunately they didnt let people into the lot until after i had left :no: . i stuck around for a little over an hour waiting to see if the veyron would show up. i finally asked a guy working the gate where the veyron was. he told me the owner was very protective so it was staying in the hotel's parking garage. i thanked the guy and headed over to the garage where the veyron was. ill let the pics speak for themselves i guess.
im glad i went but im def disappointed that i didnt get to shoot most of the cars up close in the lot. also disappointed that i didnt see the blue R34 that is running this. not sure where it was??


















^^ probably the highlight for me ^^






































there was a guy there who was saying that this is 24 karat gold? is that even possible. he also said that this particular owner paid off a few dozen people on the waiting list to get his sooner.




jackrabbit and baby riding along?





about 200 more pics here http://www.flickr.com/photos/goodduck/sets/72157617726205957/

 

i met up with some friends on the rally and went to one of their parties, some interesting folks there. dennis rodman and a younger guy who i believe is a/the prince of qatar.

 

Doubt it, here it is done being foiled

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3747/p102075114825656.jpg

 

This was sent to me. I was told it showed up at the chevy dealer in Slidell this afternoon looking to buy a vette wheel for it. I guess vette wheels fit bentleys.
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I saw a few (e.g. Gallardo, Ford GT, Bandit TransAm, Rodmans' truck) on I-10 while I was driving in this morning. I pulled into a parking spot on Canal St and waited to see what passed by. I was hoping to see a Veyron but no luck; however, I did see the Jag XJ220. Below are a couple cell phones pics. Unfortunately I was on the phone when the Jag stopped. Many thanks to Kelly for letting me know the event was in town.
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Great shots guys! I can't imagine driving a Veyron (or anything lower than a truck) through New Orleans' streets.

 

I did get to see the Veyron yesterday morning. It was parked in the garage at the Royal Sonesta next to a SLR convertible. I did take some pics but they are too large to post on here. They started with 2 Veyrons but one of them was caught doing 171mph and it was impounded. You can see the video on there website.

My wife and I spent about 2 hours yesterday morning at the Jax Brewery parking lot where the cars were. We had a great time seeing all of the cars and talking to some of the people. I took about 150 pictures and some video clips. They also were handing out Gumball 3000 stickers and selling t-shirts. My wife also was able to get one of the "Monster Energy Drink" goody bags that they were handing to each driver.

 

My wife and I were for a few of days and had no idea the Gumball was coming to town. I managed to hang around downtown for a few hours on Wednesday night and was there Thursday morning when they left. The Veyron eluded me at those times, but it did pass me on I-10 around Mobile while I was on my way back to Georgia. I t was riding in a group with the orange/white/green SLR and the chrome wrapped Gallardo. I did meet Max Cooper and took pictures of his XJ220.





I also received a rock chip on my windshield thanks to this Gumballer... think I have a legal claim for this??? ; )

 

Here's a few photos I took that evening/following morning.

You all know where to go to see the full 54 final images.

-Webb
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Awesome shots! Thanks for my new desktop picture.

 

man, that XJ220 is such an animal! It's a true shame we don't see them too much anymore Amazing car

 

How do you drive the Gallardo with the giant robe on????

 

Webb,

Those pictures are awesome. The colors are so vibrant! Keep up the good work.

Kent

 

Great pictures Webb. I was at the Santa Monica send-off to see some of my friends start the "rally", but I don't think my photography skills are quite up to your level yet. Sounds like Vegas was the high-point of the trip, but if you've been keeping up with the southern california section, you'll see there were quite a few tickets and arrests made (175 in a 75 for a veyron and 997 turbo).

-Jorge