| Author | Message | ||
| Mathew Potena (9000rpman)
New member Username: 9000rpman Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2003 |
I have been going to the Canadian GP since 1986. I have stayed in stands 15 (looking directly out from the old pits hairpin), 24 (to the left of 15), 1, 2 3 and 10 (various places along the front stretch), and 11 (first and second corners). Stands 1, 2, 3, 11 and 12 give a really good look at the cars, but are a mile or so walk from the metro. After the race, it can take 2 hours of waiting to get inside for a train at the station. Stands 15 and 24 enable you to see almost as much, have to walk, and you are out of there with little wait. I also agree, if you are unfamiliar go with Grand Prix Tours. They have excellent seats and good hotels. They are rather pricey, but can be well worth it depending on what you are looking for. I have just put together my annual trip (for 11 this year), and we are sitting in stand 24. We found a little hotel right next to Olympic Stadium, and only 2 blocks from the Metro thats still not booked up. The hotel is super inexpensive for what you get. 2 of my group stayed there last year, and we all are staying there this year. The must sees in Montreal are definitely Crescent Street which is closed off and they have some F1 cars there, pit stop competitions, a stage with bands and a bunch of hot clubs and bars, all on 1 block. Also, St. Catherine Street has lots of the other kinds of clubs, depending on your age etc. Old Montreal is a beautiful part of town with many outdoor cafes and restraunts. There is also a festival type atmosphere in Jaques Cartier Square. The only way to get around Montreal, and in fact right to the track, is the Metro. It is cheap, clean, safe and on time. As you can see I love Montreal. Once you go there, you will be hard pressed to top your trip, even as compared to Monza 1998 but I am bragging now ;-)). If anyone would like some help on booking or what to do, forward me an email and I would be happy to help. NOTE: I am not a travel agent and am not affiliated with any organization, this is just my views. | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Junior Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 152 Registered: 11-2002 |
Ferrari North America has done VIP tent with hospitality, hotel, ticket, ground transportation every year the Challenge has been there. It's expensive IMO. It's fun, too. They were snubbed by Michael S. a few years ago, though. May be opportunities with this package you may not get anywhere else. Call FNA or a Challenge Dealer for information and reservations. Tripple check your itinerary with them if you sign up. | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Junior Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 151 Registered: 11-2002 |
Bob, there are a lot of "must do's" in Montreal. The list will depend on your group, age and gender. Visit Old Montreal for sure, walking the streets, shopping, viewing the architecture is interesting for sure. Find a BYOB restaurant and stop at the local depanneurs (convenience store) for wine, really great food at quite reasonable prices. Don't do fast food unless you're desperate, you'll miss another cultural experience. By all means, ask the locals where they like to go, everyone I've spoken with for recommendations has been friendly, spoke English, and I'm sure, took into consideration the fact I was a tourist looking for the cultural experience. The clubs are fun, but that's just a small part. If you're a guy there with buddies, then it's St. Catherine street near Crescent where you start. Pick up a city guide available at book stores. | ||
| Gerrit Visser (Gerritv)
Junior Member Username: Gerritv Post Number: 146 Registered: 6-2001 |
Check out http://english.montrealplus.ca/ for what Montreal has to offer. Lots to choose from. | ||
| billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Junior Member Username: Fatbillybob Post Number: 147 Registered: 8-2002 |
Thanks Guys! Does Montreal have any "must do's" while I'm there? Also doesn't Ferrari have a hospitality tent we can buy into? | ||
| Darrell Pardy (Dpardyferrari)
New member Username: Dpardyferrari Post Number: 19 Registered: 8-2002 |
The Canadian GP is the highlight of our year. Every June I pack the kids off to Grandma's and my wife and I take the 308 up to Montreal from Maine. There are lots of great hotels (we stay at the Intercontinental - met Michael Schumacher there a couple of years ago). The night life in Montreal is unsurpassed (visit Crescent Street) and the entire city embraces F1. The food is unbelievable. There is a Ferrari party at the dealership each year and then a parade afterwards. At the track get seats either at the Senna turns (1 and 2) or the Casino hairpin (the other end of the track). Stay late and watch the interviews on the big screens and then walk on the race track pass the pits, pay homage to Gilles,and soak in the atmosphere of North America's best road race. If you are going for the first time I highly recommend using Grand Prix Tours. They can get you tickets, hotel rooms, and you will attend some really great parties where drivers and F1 personalities are present. | ||
| J. Grande (Jay)
Member Username: Jay Post Number: 930 Registered: 10-2001 |
I've got my tickets already for this years race. I've got silver seats in the Senna turns 1 & 2 which is grandstand 12 (This shows you the first turn and the pit exit). Last year I sat in Grandstand 32 which is turns 6,7, those were bronze seats but still very good. Definately go for all three days and stay for all the challange series and historic races. Montreal goes Ferrari crazy during F1. They close down the streets and give Ferraris a police escort to different functions. I plan on driving my car this year (if it is ready). After the race you can go into the pit lane and see the garages up close. It is a great time! Book a room now! It sells out fast! | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Junior Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 209 Registered: 10-2002 |
I hate to 2nd Rexr's comments about Indy: Simply mind boggeling, that they don't even know they have a race in town in September. Only the hotels know and are booked in advance... After all the good reviews of the hairpin in Montreal, I'd like to make my point about the opposite side of the track again: Those are really good seats too as you can see the start and then two important turns where some heavy action is almost guaranteed. Just my $ 0.02 | ||
| Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Junior Member Username: Rexrcr Post Number: 58 Registered: 11-2002 |
I LOVE going to Montreal for the GP. I've been lucky to be paid for it while managing a Ferrari Challenge team. We used to stay at Chateau Beri, north of downtown, but last I checked (1998), they're closed. It was nice, clean, very close to all the action, and incredibly cheap. Get your reservations in early wherever you stay. Highly recommend the silver or gold level seats. I got a general admission ticket the first time I was a spectator only (1994), and it was just ok. The cost of the silver seats is worth it. I agree that the hairpin is one of the best views, watch for glowing brake rotors! It's very refreshing to be surrounded by an entire population who appreciate road racing and F1, as opposed to other pro races I've done in the States where you go to a local restaurant, chit-chat with the locals, tell them you race, and they always assume it's NASCAR, ugh! Or they don't even realize there's a big event going on within ten mile of where they live. Montreal goes crazy everywhere during GP week, it's awesome. Just a few miles from Indy, no-one knew what the big deal was at the Speedway for the F1 race. | ||
| Bart Boonacker (Sharky666)
Junior Member Username: Sharky666 Post Number: 139 Registered: 9-2002 |
Tomd, the same happend at our GP visit @ the Nurburgring, Alesi trowing his helmet around. Also in a hairpin, into a dead stop and the pulling away with the traction control screaming. Great sound  | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2148 Registered: 9-2001 |
I sat in the hairpin too - its pretty cool cars come flying down to almost dead stop and then acellerate away. Alesi tossed his helmet into the stands there a few years ago | ||
| rick catalano (Tatcat)
Junior Member Username: Tatcat Post Number: 78 Registered: 9-2001 |
went last year.very good time. sat in sec 24 at the hairpin. these are silver priced seats. affordable. go all weekend. plenty to do and see at track and in town. stayed at econo lodge in Stlaurent walking distnce to subway to track and around town. major marques close of whole blocks for their parties. all told, on par with any euro circiut. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Junior Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 201 Registered: 10-2002 |
Been there many years ago and sat in the big turn after the start. I think it is called Senna S now, not sure though. Those were good seats, gave you a lot of track to see. I like the Montreal GP for being so easy to go to. The city is big enough to swallow all sports fans and offer plenty of accomodation and the Shuttle to the track gives you a quick and easy in and out. Also loved the fact to walk on the real track on the way home. At that time it was possible to rent a chopper behind the pits and it took you around the track. Got some great aerial shots from that time. | ||
| billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Junior Member Username: Fatbillybob Post Number: 133 Registered: 8-2002 |
who has been to the canadian GP? Do you have any tips on the hot grand stands and the hot hotels? TIA |