COTA vs Montreal?

Lets see, Texas or Quebec? Gotta believe that it would cheaper in Montreal OVERALL, and also more fun. Austin is a great town, but Montreal is more cosmopolitan.

 

I've never been to COTA let alone Austin but I will say Montreal is an incredible city and an amazing venue for a race. I've been going for 3 years now and I won't miss one. There's usually one day of rain and plenty of drama. The hairpin or senna corner are the gems.

 

Both are great tracks! I have yet to make it to Austin, but this year will be my 5th race at Montreal in a row. I'd say it depends on what you are into for after race atmosphere? We stay downtown, so taking the metro to and from the track is quite easy. Evenings always end up turning into mornings in Montreal!!!

However, for a "First" F1 experience..my question is to you is, do you plan on attending this falls upcoming race in Austin or is this in regards to next year? If you are thinking this fall then I would say hammer down and get to Austin this year. Its the last of the V8's.

 

In honesty, I have never been to COTA, but I have been to the Montreal race several times. The common theme should be that Montreal is much more 'cosmopolitan' as someone already stated. If you want some "international" flair to go with your racing, I would suggest Montreal. One thing I have found is that for all the work, effort, and money to put a race weekend together, it all ends with only 90 minutes of racing. Montreal provides a lot of other attractions and adventures for the racing 'down-time'.

No slam on Austin, I have never been there, and I hear it is lovely.

Enjoy either race.

John

 

I live in Austin & have been to both races. Do both if you can...but if only one, well:

Circuit? Austin
Transportation? Montreal. Really no need for a car.
European feel? Montreal
Less expensive tickets? Montreal
GA views? Austin. Best deal in the venue, by far.
Food? Austin if you like TexMex, BBQ. Montreal if you like French-ish
Chicks? Both. omg. OMG.
Weather? Both are great on their respective dates
Lodging? Montreal. More of it and cheaper.
Track Video? Montreal
Food/drinks allowed in? Montreal
Music? Both.
Bars/nightlife? Both.

 

I've been to many GPs around the world and Montreal is only second to Monaco in how the city embraces the GP.

Trackwise Austin wins but as an overall experience it is difficult to surpass Montreal.

Money wise they are very similar.

PS: an interesting comparison would have been Montreal vs NY

 

I agree. Montreal LOVES the GP and its visitors.

 

French-ish??? Come on mate! Montreal has some of the most varied cuisine form all nationalities. Besides "French-ish".

....French-ish??



































.....French-ish.

 

It was a joke.

 

For Austin it's an opportunity to host a race.
For Montreal it's a chance to be a part of France and Europe.

 

I hate to spoil the fun, but over the last few years, there is a growing anti-GP sentiment. Montreal is being overtaken by the eco-hippies-enviro-terrorists and is becoming more hostile to cars (and car culture) in general. Our roads are utter crap, as is parking in the city. The cops are always out to nail us.

Sure it embraces the GP....who doesn't want the 100M$ the GP generates? Restaurants and merchants love gouging the out-of-towners, while most of locals go home after a day at the races.


Sigh....carry on.

 

I'll add the word to my hybrid lexicon.

Alongside other words such as "deliciousness" or "awesomeness"

 

Well, just 3 years ago Montreal couldn't have been more welcoming. Car or not.

 

With the GP in town local Montreal TV talks about it nonstop. As it should.

When I was in Indy for the GP the race was an also run story after baseball and football.

 

Indeed!

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/141511219-post9115.html

 

I've done Montreal 4 times, and did COTA last year.

Austin did it VERY well. I was floored how well they did, and am going back this year. It's also close to home so I don't have to fly.

But if I could only do one, it would be Montreal, hands down. The racing views are better at Austin so you'll "see" more racing there. Lots more. The sightlines in Montreal are extremely limited. But everything else is better in Montreal. You feel like you've been somewhere when you go to Montreal. It's like going to Europe only with friendlier people.

 

I waited to hear reviews of COTA before planning a visit. It seems it knocked everyone's socks off and deserving accolades go to the organizers and the city itself.

Bernie being Bernie, I do fear my Montreal race is in severe jeopardy and will be pulled off the schedule after 2014, therefore I decided to keep my seats at Senna pour la deuxieme Turbo era for what may be Montreal's final year (I only have time for one GP per season).

The odds aren't in Canada's favour unfortunately and I'd advise anyone who hasn't been to a race at Circuit Gilles to book now, as I believe good seats will be difficult to come by once the writing is on the wall.

 

I'm surprised by Isobel's post. I haven't heard that Montreal is in jeopardy.

Latest rumor for a GP getting axed is Astralia.

Bernie can't kill all American GPs. Interlagos alone doesn't cut it!

 

+1

There was a little whining about food lines, lack of shade & ticket prices, but for sure, those that went seemed positive - Particularly for "year one"..... [Indy ran out of beer & food *completely* before the race even started in 2K for example. ]

One of the saddest posts I've read here.

Plus, while I was close, I've never made it up there. A buddy's buddy (!) did the radio installations for years and wanted help - I was lazy - "Next year".... Now there may not be a "next year".

Is, do you really think it could be done after '14? Everyone loves it - fans, teams, sponsors et al always put it high on the list of favorites - Even Montreal "locals" seem to embrace the whole mess. Why do you think Bernie wants it gone?

Cheers,
Ian
PS; Pedantically, Indy didn't run out of beers etc, but couldn't get it to the vendors around the circuit due to the crowds.

 

Is there a solitary race that isn't faced with "being axed" every now & then?..... Threats to Silverstone, Spa, Monza, Germany et al have caused many to leave their prams over the years!

As for Aus, from Pitpass:

11MM return on 36MM invested seems like good biz' to me..... Although, how one calculates the value of "media exposure" remains something of a mystery to me.

Cheers,
Ian
Australia to negotiate new F1 deal - Pitpass.com

 

Sir Bernie will always have that Sword of Damocles hanging over the CDN GP's head when he wants something. And Sir Bernie ALWAYS wants something.

 

All except that growing group of "Greenies".

And curmodgeons like me.