2012 Montreal GP

I am considering (along with a friend or 2) bringing our 355's to this year's F1 race from Halifax. I have done some searching but would be interested in any updated opinions on where to stay considering we will be wanting a fairly safe place to keep the cars. Cost is of consequence though I do realize the typically inflated rates at this time.

I also recall a Ferrari night near Crescent St. We would be interested in participating if possible. Any info on this would be great as well.

Thx

 

355's in Halifax!?!?!?!? Nice!

Have fun at the GP. There are some good threads already on this subject. Be sure to check them out here

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/search.php?searchid=5642465
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/search.php?searchid=5642491

 

The Sheraton Hotel is the best location, and safest spot, and its right next to Crescent and all the 'hot spots' downtown. They have a large underground garage with VIP concierge and valet. Its a 2 minute walk to most restaurants and bars around St Catherines/Montagne/Crescent area.

FYI....its probably too late to book (sold out!) , but you might get lucky. Don't be concerned if they quote you $1000 a nite....thats the going rate for GP weekend. Most hotels triple their prices.

There is also the Novotel, Intercontinental which are also walking distance. These are the only 3 hotels I have stayed at recently, and its worth the inflated price when you walk (stumble) back to your room at 4 am !

 

I hope to see some off you guys during the downtown events. This year should be great.

 

The Ferrari List crowd stays/stayed at Hotel Du Fort. A bit of a walk to the 'fun' but it is healthy to walk Secure underground parking.

Gerrit

 

The Ferrari parade usually rolls in in the late afternoon/early evening on the Thursday before F1 weekend, so you'll want to arrive in Montreal around noon or so if you want to make it in time. By the way, it happens on Peel St., not Crescent (although there will be plenty of stuff happening on Crescent St. all weekend long, as well). No official schedule/info has been posted yet, but I'm sure there will be something up closer to June, so just keep an eye open!

On a side note, there's usually a pit-lane open house at the circuit on Thurs. afternoon, as well. If you want to attend that, I recommend arriving on Wednesday night.

Hope that helps!

PS: If you're interested in having some photos taken of your car while in Montreal, feel free to let me know via PM!

 

You may want to double-check those links...

 

Actually just talking with my wife yesterday about this ... We are thinking of the holiday inn near the globe night club ...it's near st.cahterines I think, I can't recall....but the garage is safe and many ferrari's underground with security for the weekend. As starrboy mentioned, those are great as well,and in walking distance to the holiday inn I'm suggesting.

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but (as far as the two Montreal Ferrari clubs are concerned) there won't be any Ferrari displays or parades downtown this year.

I was with the Luigi Ferrari Club directors last evening and they clearly indicated that Peel street is OVER! The crowds over the years have gotten far rowdier and during the last two appearances, cars have gotten damaged or vandalized. Add to that, unscrupulous restaurant owners that OVERbook and OVERcharge. It does not make for a fun evening.

The sentiment with more and more Montreal Ferrari owners is that they're much happier attending the race and quietly (and peacefully) going home afterwards.

Perhaps Little Italy will have its Ferrari display on Saturday evening. We'll see how I feel.

 

Well, that sucks!

Yeah, I remember hearing about some nasty stuff happening a couple of years back...

It just infuriates me that there's always at least one jealous loser in the crowd who ends up ruining the fun for everyone else!

I believe it's for a similar reason that the yellow Carrera GT no longer shows up for the GP, as well...

 

I think Little Italy would be a great venue to display Ferraris. I took the Metro there from my hotel on Peel last year. Unfortunately the weather on that Saturday night wasnt so great but less people for sure and much more enjoyable walking up and down the street.
Hopefully we will have better weather this year.

 

Make it happen, Bernie! If I don't see Ferraris and Lambos lining the streets of St. Laurent on Saturday night, I'll expect a full refund from you for the price of my hotel room!

 

It's more than one jealous loser. It's also the merchants gouging everyone, and that really has gotten out of hand. It's the shift in the type of crowds attending these events. Years back you saw racing fans, whereas today it looks more like Mardi Gras debauchery. It's a whole host of elements that make it unattractive for the Ferrari owners to come out.

Oh and BTW, the Lambos that were parked on Peel street in place of the Ferraris, well guess what? Dings, scratches and two broken windows!!!

 

Even that is up in the air for now. Depending on what enticement Little Italy offers us. Last year, I wound up playing valet and security guard, and stood in the rain, and did not enjoy myself one bit.
I was sick for the rest of the week.

 

I see. Well, obviously this is just a suggestion right now, but if the show happens and you need some extra help keeping an eye on the cars this year, I could probably hang around for an hour or two. I'd most likely be there taking photos of them, anyway, so it wouldn't be too big of a deal...

 

On top of all this, the so-called club running the Fiats and Alfas in little italy is nothing more than 4-5 guys who own a ton of cars with hired drivers and they call it a car club. Truth is that it's missing the camaraderie and fun related to these outings and it has become more of an ego and show-off thing to bring the cars to little italy.

Our fiat club stopped going to little italy many years ago. Main reason was that they expected the cars to stay parked there for 3 days with very poor security. Plus, the organizing committee acted like they were doing us a favor??? From that moment on, our Fiat club which is the main italian car club in Montreal no longer attends little italy.

There are other options and Grand Prix outings that can be done outside of downtown and little italy that are more fun, more secure and less people.

Café Time Square in St-leonard is preparing a nice free BBQ for our Fiat club on the friday night. Ferraris and visitors are welcomed to attend.

 

Cough.....F1 cocktail at FMoQ that evening....cough!

 

Hey Bernie, why isn't that on the fca website schedule?

 

It's a FMoQ event, that customers (most of which are club members) get invited to. It's not an official FCA event.

 

Ok, thanks for the info.....