Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, Buffalo Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Cody Glenn were among the celebrities who sped out of central London on Thursday for the start of the 12th edition of the Gumball 3000 Rally, a seven-day car race stretching 3,000 miles across 10 European countries.
A total of 120 cars, ranging from Ferraris to Lamborghinis and Bentleys, will roll through Paris, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Venice, Belgrade and Sofia before crossing the finish line in Istanbul on June 1. There will be parties aplenty en route.
Merriman roared out of a rain-soaked Covent Garden square in the heart of the English capital in a white Bentley VT, complete with gold rims.
"It's pretty cool, man, one of the coolest cars out here," he said.
Merriman said he wasn't worried about the dangers of racing high-powered cars around foreign roads.
"I'm not really bothered about that -- I'm up against 350-pound guys every day, I can deal with this," he said. "I would just say that I'd do anything to win, including letting down a few tires. Anything you got to do to win, that's all that matters."
Former Baywatch actor David Hasselhoff, U.S. Olympic ski champion Bode Miller and hip-hop star Eve also are among the field of 250 entrants.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
