2007 Gumball 3000 - Cancelled

Zonda · **2007 Gumball 3000 - Cancelled -** 05-04-2007, 03:02 AM

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Issued by Maximillion Cooper on behalf of The Gumball 3000 Rally - 21.30 / 03 May 2007

Following our earlier release reporting yesterday’s accident - As a sign of respect we have decided that this year’s Gumball 3000 Rally will not travel any further and will end in Bratislava this evening, May 3rd 2007.

As the organisers of the rally we feel that it should be stopped as a mark of respect to Vladimir Cepulyoski who died today after an accident involving one the participating drivers.

We are very saddened by what has happened and feel that it would be wrong to continue. On behalf of Gumball 3000, we once again extend our deepest sympathies to his family and we are doing everything we can for them.

This is the first time anything like this has happened in 9 years of travelling through over 40 countries with 1000’s of drivers and it is with deep regret that I make this announcement.

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Gumball 3000 is very saddened to announce a road accident which occurred yesterday, May 2nd, involving a participating vehicle and a local vehicle in Macedonia. Exact details are still filtering through, but below are the facts as of midday May 3rd 2007 issued by the Macedonian authorities.

An adult Macedonian male aged 67 died in hospital from a heart attack following the incident where the two cars collided. The participants in the rally were held in custody last night with a preliminary court judgement expected today.

Organisers of the rally would like to express its deepest condolences to the family of the victim for this tragic accident.

Maximillion Cooper, founder of the Rally says: “It is with extreme sadness I have to make an announcement of this nature in the events nine year history. The event is organised with each local authorities support and permission, and drivers are under strict stipulation to abide by the laws and road regulations of the country they are driving through. It is extremely sad for this unfortunate accident to have occurred. I am informed that the incident was reported immediately by the drivers. Both drivers are extremely traumatised by this occurrence.”

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Quote:

Two British citizens, who the eyewitnesses say had caused a deadly accident near Struga, are about to appear before a judge, Makfax correspondent said.

Ohrid resident Vladimir Cepuljoski (67) died of fatal injuries caused by the collision. His wife Margarita is still in critical condition and has been transferred to emergency clinic in Skopje.

Police sources say two British citizens - Nicholas Morley and Matthew Convell - were aboard a Porsche with Russian registration plates.

Shortly after the collusion, the two Britons tried to escape with a BMW but the police stopped them at Qafasan border crossing on the Macedonian-Albanian border.

The tragic traffic accident occurred on the Struga-Qafasan road near KMR Petrol station. The Porsche, which was running with high speed, crossed over the center lane and crashed into Golf with Ohrid registration plates.

Both cars skidded off the road. The local residents arrived at the crash site shortly afterwards. The injured passengers were rushed to nearest hospital.

According to eyewitnesses, the Porsche was moving a convoy of another four luxury vehicles, all of them running with a high speed.

They took part in the international car relly Gumball 3000. They entered Macedonia yesterday and were heading to Albania.

The international contest was organized by personalities of the world jet set. News reports say the American actress Sharon Stone and pop star Pink take part in Gumball 3000 rally.

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DaSilva · **Re: 2007 Gumball 3000 - Cancelled -** 05-04-2007, 04:52 AM

This wasn't a happy ending..

... Hmm..

Bartek Sikorski · **Re: 2007 Gumball 3000 - Cancelled -** 05-04-2007, 09:46 AM

Very sad ending for such nice event.

Giannis · **Re: 2007 Gumball 3000 - Cancelled -** 05-04-2007, 09:56 AM

Even though Gumball is a very nice event, all the participants should know that it is not safe to drive in high speeds inside cities....

This accident could be easily have been avoided...

siko · **Re: 2007 Gumball 3000 - Cancelled -** 05-04-2007, 12:01 PM

This was bound to happen... I mean a good bunch of Gumball participants are a bunch of morons and have little respect for driving, based on how they drive (at least from many of the footage that I've seen).

I think the race itself should remain, but maybe they should step up the entry selection.

Centurion · **Re: 2007 Gumball 3000 - Cancelled -** 05-04-2007, 04:15 PM

canceling the rally is the only right thing to do. Not only because of the accident but also because the driver tried to flee the country and not take responsibility for what he did.

Bruce · **Re: 2007 Gumball 3000 - Cancelled -** 05-04-2007, 04:27 PM

Am I the only person that thinks the Gumball is one of, if not the most idiotic car event in the world?

Giannis · **Re: 2007 Gumball 3000 - Cancelled -** 05-04-2007, 04:38 PM

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Originally Posted by Bruce

Am I the only person that thinks the Gumball is one of, if not the most idiotic car event in the world?

Actually, i also don't find any point in this event, but it is fun to watch. It's like a exotic cars parade!

MikeJ · **Re: 2007 Gumball 3000 - Cancelled -** 05-04-2007, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce

Am I the only person that thinks the Gumball is one of, if not the most idiotic car event in the world?

I've been feeling the same, but I suspect it has more to do with the type of people who are taking part than the basic idea of the event itself.

Bruce · **Re: 2007 Gumball 3000 - Cancelled -** 05-04-2007, 04:59 PM

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Originally Posted by MikeJ

I've been feeling the same, but I suspect it has more to do with the type of people who are taking part than the basic idea of the event itself.

That's precisely why I dislike it so much. I view it more as a "movie star parade" than anything else.