Ex-Formula 1 Driver Slapped With Speeding Fine
Retired Formula 1 Driver Was Caught Speeding Whilst Taking Part In The Gumball 3000 Rally
Ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has been given a 135 euro fine after he was caught speeding in France.
What Was The Crime?
The flying Scotsman was caught going 178 kilometres an hour (110 mph), 48 kmh (30 mph) over the 130 kmh (81 mph) speed limit on a motorway in the Alsace region, at around 5:30pm on Tuesday. Under French law the 45-year-old would have had his licence immediately taken away if he had been going 1mph more over the speed limit. Driving a Mercedes E63 AMG coupe, Coulthard was taking part in the Gumball 3000 rally. He was one of 14 other contestants that were also stopped for breaking the speed limit. According to several newspapers, a police source said they acted "not to reprimand (the drivers) but to calm the situation. These are low vehicles. The drivers of heavy goods lorries risk not seeing them. We can't let them scare other drivers.”
Gumball Controversy
The rally has received criticism in the past for participants speeding. In 2007 Dutch police confiscated a Porsche and a Ferrari after they were caught travelling at speeds of 200 kmh (124 mph). Seven drivers including US rapper and host of popular motoring show Pimp My Ride, Xzibit, lost their licences. That same year, two pensioners died in Macedonia after being involved in a crash with a Gumball participant.
What Is The Gumball 3000?
The Gumball 3000 is an annual 3,000 mile rally which takes place on public roads. It brings celebrities and millionaires alike together for a collaboration of motorsport, art and culture. Each year fast, interesting, expensive and extravagant cars take to the roads of Europe for the rally. Founded in 1999 by Maximillian Cooper, the first Gumball 3000 tour was marketed as a road-trip across Europe and involved glamorous parties attended by the likes of Kate Moss, Tony Hawk and Johnny Knoxville. This year’s rally started off in Dublin and ends in Bucharest, stopping off in cities such as London, Prague, and Budapest.
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