American vs. Canadian F1 GP

Montreal is great, the entire week there is festivities and so much going on, and the exotics are out in full force...id like to say its Monaco Jr. and the girls are.............GREAT. no regrets if you come up here i garantee!!! People here countdown every year for that week building up to a great race...and drinking age if your interested is 18..lemmy see your 20...hum, good times i think for you and your friends....lol

 

I've been to Indianapolis once (but not the race) and that was enough and also to Montreal a few times including the race 2 years ago and I'd vote for Montreal. Lots to do - day and night. If you're serious you better start looking for somewhere to stay and try to get it along the subway line leading to the track -- the only way to travel to the race.

 

I've been to Montreal numerous times for the race (but not since 2001), but I've only been to Indy during non-race weekends, so I can't judge fairly, but I would say that in every aspect other than price, Montreal seems to be the better choice. The city is more interesting, the track is more interesting, the people are (IMHO) more interesting. And since F1 is fundamentally a "foreign" racing series, why not a city where French is the predominant language?

If you're on a budget, Indy is at least better than what came before it in this country, namely, nothing, but if you can handle the costs, go to Montreal.

 

I have been to both, Indy since the first F1 race and every race since and Montreal last year. I liked Montreal, as in a previous post make sure you stay on the subway line or you will encounter some problems. One thing I did not like about Montreal is that the track will not let you "migrate" to different seating places to view different aspects of the track--Indy will, except race day. If budgetary constraints are the order of the day, it will be Indy. Otherwise Montreal would be a sure bet. But try and find someone who has been there a couple of times and has been in different stands and get their impression on the viewing areas. One negative about Montreal is that when the race is over it is a cattle drive to the subway station and you will walk VERY LONG distances. Hope you make one of them and have fun.

 

If you are independently wealthy, go to Montreal, if you are homeless, go to Montreal, chances are it will be easier for you to go to Indy (or wherever) in the future, after the wife, 3 kids, and 60 hour work weeks come along....... LOL

 

I've been to Montreal a dozen times and Indy every year. Montreal, hands down. For all the reasons stated.

 

By the way, here's something for everyone to consider. One year we were late booking our flights and had to stop over in Ottawa. As it turned out, this was a pretty good gig since the Ottawa airport is pretty new, yet smallish, and the bonus is you clear customs there, which saves a bunch of time when you hit Montreal since you're then flying domestically.

 

you're guaranteed to see a real race in canada i dunno about indy tho lol

 

I am trying to put together a trip to the Montreal Grand Prix as well. Can anyone recommended a few hotels I should try? I am taking my wife, so a 4 or 5 star place is needed to so I can convince her that this is a vacation for both of us.

 

Montreal reminds me so much of Monaco. The Fairmont is a grand old hotel, but pricey. We are staying there again this year.

Indy is a fabulous facility. Lot's of places to watch during practice as you can walk around the whole place or sit anywhere. Stand H is good for the race and the new infield bleachers are good too. Seats along the straight are great for pit stop action and top end speed.

 

Definitely Montreal. People in Quebec love Ferrari's!

The whole city is crazy the week before building up to race day. The streets are loaded with exotics since many people with anything worthy of mention brings it with them to Montreal. Show up a week before the race and get a copy of the newspaper every day. There are a lot of car club meets and exhibitions other than the usual ones that are announced last minute in various places in the city.

 

As well this year the date of the race falls just a day after Quebecs national pride day(Jean Baptiste day) on the 24th...and let me tell you it is the equivalent to your July 4th so be ready to see major celebrations the entire week and weekend with the race and that special day being so close to each other...

 

I havent been to Indy but ive been to the Montreal Grand Prix numerous times. The city is vibrant, full of tourists,women, cars and party life. It is one of the best places for nightlife in North America and definately has a European flavour you wont find in most parts of the US and Canada.

 

Absolutly Montreal!!!!!! There is no contest.The race,the women,the cars,the nightlife,the parties,the city,the- well need I say more?

 

really not...we have it all!!!

 

Great restaurants also.

 

I haven't heard anyone say that car access is better in Montreal. Is it? I haven't been for the F1, but friends who do both say the paddocks are a lot more accessable in Indy and there are some nice Ferrari gatherings where you can get close and personal with the cars, get your pix, etc, in Indy.

As for the French, I have only been there for the Champ Cars, but they don't like window shoppers and will get very rude if you walk into a shop and don't buy! Not a problem with my wife (she buys), but I have friends whose wives thought it was a drag. I guess the French are the best reason to go and the best reason not to go! It's a tossup, but I hear there is a lot more car access in Indy.

This year will probably be the last F1 race in Indy, so don't plan on going there in the future. Get tickets at www.FCA-CIC.org if you go USGP.

 

I'd rather sit in downtown Montreal and listen to the race across the river than work trackside at Indy again.

 

Lets see...

A vibrant multicultural pseudo-European city with favorable exchange rates, numerous restaurants, clubs, all-nude/all touch strip clubs and beautiful women.

OR

Redneck Paradise deep in the Bible belt?

Hmm... Gee I don't know...

 

One year I couldn't find any decent airfares to Montreal, so I flew into Ottawa, rented a car, and stayed in Hawkesbury, which is about midway between the two cities. As a result, the lodging was cheaper as well. It worked out quite well!

 

What amazed me about Hawkesbury, a town in Ontario, is that more French was spoken than English! I got the impression that the provinicial border needs to be moved further west, so that the town winds up, properly, in Quebec.

 

quite random wasnt it its SOOOOO french its not even funny, thing is that huge bridge you might of seen in town, right on the other side is Quebec, its so damn close that it doesnt surprise me, things i think everybody from quebec able enough moved to the Ontario so that they could take advantage of the way cheaper gas prices!!!!