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WHAT do you get when you cross fast cars, millionaires and free-flowing booze? The Gumball 3000 Rally, of course.

With more testosterone than you can shake your gear-knob at, the celebrity rally is an essential date in the millionaires' calendar.

The event is a legendary testosterone-fuelled week of fast cars and living the millionaire lifestyle to the max
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The event is a legendary testosterone-fuelled week of fast cars and living the millionaire lifestyle to the maxCredit: Greg Falski
The lavish event is all about supercars, wild parties and big-name celebrities... what could possibly go wrong?
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The lavish event is all about supercars, wild parties and big-name celebrities... what could possibly go wrong?Credit: Kiran Cox
The rally sees drivers ship in their luxury wheels from all corners of the globe
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The rally sees drivers ship in their luxury wheels from all corners of the globeCredit: Kiran Cox

The lavish event takes place every year, and sees drivers cruise along a 3,000-mile route in their immaculate supercars.

Throughout this week, days will be dedicated to racing along the world's most stunning public roads, whilst the nights are all about living the millionaire party life.

The route varies every time, and this year the Gumball rally sees drivers cruise across Europe, starting in Riga, Latvia, and winding up on the Greek party island of Mykonos.

The event, founded in 1999, has rightly earned a legendary reputation as a wild week where anything can happen.

And this year's rally is no different.

Already, one unnamed millionaire has lost his licence after clocking speeds of over 180mph on the streets of Latvia, whilst another racked up an eye-watering £60k bar tab on the first night.

DJ icon Afrojack is among the famous names putting pedal to the metal during this year's week-long rally
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DJ icon Afrojack is among the famous names putting pedal to the metal during this year's week-long rallyCredit: Greg Falski
The days are all about driving some of the world's most stunning open roads, and stopping off in iconic and lively cities...
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The days are all about driving some of the world's most stunning open roads, and stopping off in iconic and lively cities...Credit: Greg Falski
... whilst the nights are all about wild parties, free-flowing booze and stunning models wherever you look
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... whilst the nights are all about wild parties, free-flowing booze and stunning models wherever you lookCredit: Greg Falski

Nearly 100,000 people turned out to cheer racers at the starting grid, where 150 luxury motors lined up for the drive of a lifetime.

Among the race cars is a £900k Porsche 918 Spyder and a fleet of five Rolls Royce Phantoms, worth £370k each.

Founder Maximillion Cooper came up with the idea for a celebrity rally punctuated with parties all the way back in 1999
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Founder Maximillion Cooper came up with the idea for a celebrity rally punctuated with parties all the way back in 1999Credit: Greg Falski
Max was joined by Cee Lo Green at the launch, where legendary rapper Eve and Major Lazer joined the fray
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Max was joined by Cee Lo Green at the launch, where legendary rapper Eve and Major Lazer joined the frayCredit: Greg Falski
Founder Maximillion kicked off the first ever rally with a wild party... and that tradition has lived on today
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Founder Maximillion kicked off the first ever rally with a wild party... and that tradition has lived on todayCredit: Greg Falski

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Racers will get their hands on a luxury goody-bag, packed with Oakley Sunglasses, racing jackets, thousands of pounds of Bulgari jewellery and £100 Marshall headphones.

And they'll also get to live it up at wild parties along the route, where celebrities, models and iconic DJs will join the drivers.

As the race nears its close, Conor McGregor and Lewis Hamilton are set to join the fray, whilst Ceelo Green, Major Lazer, Eve and Afrojack were among the big names lighting up Sunday's launch party.

And although you'd be forgiven for missing it at first glance, there's also a sweet side to the Gumball Rally.

The event is actually all about the charitable Gumball 3000 Foundation, which is partnered with The Sun
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The event is actually all about the charitable Gumball 3000 Foundation, which is partnered with The SunCredit: Greg Falski
Some of the drivers, such as the Mario Brothers' pictured here, have a particularly colourful approach to the rally
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Some of the drivers, such as the Mario Brothers' pictured here, have a particularly colourful approach to the rallyCredit: Greg Falski
The wild week is a mecca for lovers of fast cars, expensive booze and wild parties... and anyone can apply to be part of next year's event
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The wild week is a mecca for lovers of fast cars, expensive booze and wild parties... and anyone can apply to be part of next year's eventCredit: Greg Falski

The whole event is all about charity, with teams of drivers competing to raise the most cash for the Gumball 3000 Foundation.

The foundation focuses on projects for young people, aiming to improve life for children and teens growing up in deprived areas.

Among the beneficiaries are When You Wish Upon A Star, The Laureus Sport For Good Foundation, The Tony Hawk Foundation, The Sir Simon Milton Foundation, The Nelson Mandela Children's Fund UK and the The Westway Trust.

And this year's rally has already raised over £500,000 to support the foundation started by Brit entrepreneur Maximillion Cooper in 1999.

Back then, the first rally saw 50 of Maximillion's friends drive from London to Rimini, Italy, starting the tradition of kicking the race off with a wild party.

The starting grid was packed with luxury cars, as 90,000 fans lined the roadsides to wave off the VIP drivers
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The starting grid was packed with luxury cars, as 90,000 fans lined the roadsides to wave off the VIP driversCredit: Greg Falski
Afrojack will be joined by famous faces including Conor McGregor and Lewis Hamilton later on in the rally
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Afrojack will be joined by famous faces including Conor McGregor and Lewis Hamilton later on in the rallyCredit: Greg Falski
If you love your sports cars, the rally is the best place in the world to spend this week
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If you love your sports cars, the rally is the best place in the world to spend this weekCredit: Kiran Cox

And this tradition has continued at every rally since, with last year's European extravaganza bringing a taste of the millionaire life to cities all across the continent.

If your FOMO is already getting the better of you, then buckle up for some good news.

Next year's 20th anniversary rally starts in London, and to drive the route to Tokyo along with the VIP drivers, celebs and millionaires who make the rally so wild.

Better sort that MOT on the family car if you want to stand a chance of keeping up...

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