Hasselhoff leads off Gumball 3000 race.

For the 14th year in a row car enthusiasts got together for the Gumball 3000 road race.

This year the course takes drivers from New York to LA in six days.

They lined up their hot rods in the middle of Times Square, with the so-called Godfather of Gumball, David Hasselhoff, the lead car for the event.

SOUNDBITE, David Hasselhoff, actor, saying (English):

"It's just an amazing way of raising awareness for your charity or your sponsor, or whoever you want and seeing the world. I mean, this guy got this so wired that last time they went from San Francisco to China and I mean to China and they pulled into Tiananmen Square."

The race features 117 different cars including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and a Bugatti.

SOUNDBITE, David Hasselhoff, actor, saying (English):

"This trip really turned into more of a rally then a race because it gets a bit dangerous. You know, we sort of go a little off road and talk to the police and the police will say, 'ok, here is where you can play a little bit.' And or you have a really good radar system."

In the meantime, the Hoff's music career is still alive and well in Germany, and he took the time to serenade us with one of his German language hit songs.

UPSOUND

And with that the Hoff took his seat in his Maserti and led them off.

The winner's trophy will go to the driver with the most unique car.

Edward Baran Reuters