USGP Saturday Night Events

Not Montreal, but the streets are full of people having a good time. You may even see a sloshed David Hobbs.

 

mostly the intersection where they built a shopping mall across, lots of action in that area, last year there was a McLaren F1 "parked" there

 

I guess friday night F-chat gathering at Nicky Blaines.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139801&page=3

FCA is also having a dinner at the same time. I attended both last year. Only a couple hundred feet apart. (While the Ferraris were still parked on the circle.)

I remeber making somewhat of a fool of myself 'cause I thought I locked my keys in my car. After about a half hour of panic, I found them tucked in my belt.

 

Saturday night we went to the Omni Hotel where the McLaren mechanics were drinking in the hotel looby bar, along with Hobbs, Matchett,etc.

 

Stick around the mall and the Conrad Hotel. You are bound to see some F1 celebrities.

 

At night, all is downtown. There are many clubs in the area, loud, fun. Denim is the dress code, nothing really fancy here except St Elmos. That being a bit pricey, and elegant for Indy.

Also:
Friday, Ferrari parade in the cirlce, about 4 PM
Saturday, Concours in the circle all day (very nice 50 car show sponsored by Chrysler).

 

If anyone is inclined to visit a gentlemans club Rio is the place. 2 pro sports teams create a demand for a good strip joint and I think this is it. I don't remember where it was, we just got in a cab with our drinks and then we were there.

If anyone has enough time Newcastle Raceway is a Kart track 40 miles east. It's owned by former Atlantic champ and IRL winner Marc Dismore. Very good rental karts. www.newcastleraceway.com

 

My "group" will be at New Castle, we run till it gets dark!
Best rental karts & track I've ever been to!

 

Do they supply helmets??

 

Roger that!

It's also far enough from the track to keep the crowd down (if you tried going to the indoor places in town back when they were open you know it was CRAZY!). Everyone from Fchat that's going out there should identify themselves somehow! Especially since I may not be able to drive... ( I won't have my 308 there this year, but perhaps I'll make it a point to wear my black & red Ferrari hat if I can find it.

 

A friend said that last year he talked to Coulthard at the ice cream shop on the circle. I think if you just wander the downtown area your likely to run into racing team members and other celebs.

Chris, I don't remember you losing your keys. Must not have been a big deal. See ya there!

 

Hoping he will be in Le Mans again this year with Varsha doing the Speed commentary for the 24 Hours.

Carol

 

Now this man has TWO really great ideas. Not one, but TWO.

 

Any of you guys ever go to the Rathskeller while you're there? It's a pretty cool old Abbey-style beer hall with a large outdoor patio and band stand. It will be rocking, and last time there were tons of women there as well. If you're in town a few days, sometimes it's nice to get away from the F1 crowd for a night.

 

If you're looking for some members of the Ferrari team, go to the Saturday night midgets race.

 

My wife's a travel agent and she has some tricks and credits with hotels. I usually stay at the Omni for $160. Always downtown somewhere, never over $200. This year there is nothing, even with her access. I'm at the Crown Plaza for $300. This could change by Friday, but is this an indication of the attendence or has everyone found downtown?

Ron,, this is why I have not PM'd you.

 

I noticed a similar thing: Normally a couple weeks before the race the block on the hotel reservations comes off and you can find fairly decent deals online. Didn't work this year. I ended up with a 380/night hotel downtown. Very unusual, so I'm thinking this really is down to a sell out (whatever that means given the Indy track) crowd.

Maybe the rumor that this is the last Indy F1 GP has spread wide enough and everybody comes one last time? Quite frankly with MS retired I would have expected a lower than usual turnout.