'I founded an international car rally in my 20s'

From humble beginnings growing up in rural Worcestershire, to the world stage of high-octane road rallies, Maximillion Cooper knew from a young age he wanted a career combining his love of cars and pop culture.

Back in his home town of Upton-Upon Severn, the 53-year-old is marking 26 years of Gumball 3000, an international celebrity car rally that he founded in 1999.

Participants travel 3,000 miles (4,828 km) in six days, usually across several different countries.

"It was a combination of all the things I'd done up to the age of mid 20s, I had the chance to be a racing driver, model, and I have an eclectic bunch of friends that I thought I want to take on a road trip," he said.

The event has attracted stars like David Hasslehoff, as well as Usher, Idris Elba, and Lewis Hamilton

This year, the event is taking participants from Istanbul on 21 September before they reach the finish line in Ibiza on 26 September.

"We'll go through nine countries, and there are huge public events at each overnight stop, for instance Bucharest, Belgrade, Florence, and Valencia," he said.

"Then there will then be a car and music festival when we arrive in Ibiza."

Rock stars, royalty and rappers

Over the years, the grid has featured a who's who of pop culture.

The brand's alumni network includes more than 5,000 high-net worth individuals representing more than 50 nationalities.

The event has attracted royalty like Prince Albert of Monaco to celebrities like David Hasslehoff, Idris Elba, Lewis Hamilton, as well as music superstars in Usher, Jamiroquai's Jay Kay and Mr Cooper's own wife Eve, an American rapper.

But the rally shot to fame back in 2001 when Johnny Knoxville and the Jackass crew filmed an MTV special at the event, which helped to rocket its popularity.

Mr Cooper said his rapper wife Eve was set to perform at this year's event

Mr Cooper said: "The early years of Gumball were filled with the likes of Johnny, Tony Hawk and David Hasselhoff.

"This year we have Patrice Evra, ex-Man United footballer, lots of DJs, like Afrojack and obviously, my wife Eve will be performing."

Following the success of the rally, Mr Cooper launched the Gumball foundation in 2013, raising more than £6m to give back to underprivileged young people worldwide through educational and recreational infrastructure-based projects.

'Rally through Worcestershire'

After visiting the Morgan Motor Factory in Malvern for the day, Mr Cooper told the BBC he would not rule out bringing the rally through his home county when it next entered Europe in several years' time.

"We don't bring the rally to the UK that often, we sort of rotate parts of the world," he said.

"Last year's was in southeast Asia, from Vietnam to Singapore. This year's is Europe, next year it's in North and Central America.

"If we come through the UK after then, then why not? Let's come to Malvern and stop in Worcester en route. I'd love to actually."

He added: "It would probably not be an overnight stop but in theory it could become a sort of a checkpoint and maybe even Morgan Motors in Malvern could be a nice lunch spot. I think people would love it."