What GP/s are you attending live this year?

Lets break up the boredome of this preseason and see what races you are planning on seeing in person this year. Personally my European plans are shot for this year so i am doing the North American Double Canada followed by Indy

Rob

 

Still sitting on the fence for any GP. Unusual situation, all down to bad timing. Helas.

 

Japan and China. Maybe on Malaysia.

 

Have seats for Imola, USGP and Spa. May try to squeeze in Magny-Cours or Hockenheim again during summer break. Our favorite by far is Spa having been there many times, we seem to always find ourselves going back. There's nothing that can compare to the sounds of the cars as they go thru the forest especially in the fog/mist. Imola has become a favorite also - the countryside surrounding the track is beautiful plus it gives a chance to go to San Marino for some excellent shopping buys and a visit to the Maranello Rosso Museum (The Abarth Museum is open now). Reasons for Hockenheim - easy to get to, really like Germany. Magny-Cours is neat too but last year it took us in excess of 3 hours to just get from CDG to being out of the Paris area - seats were absolutely wonderful but a bit pricey at about $1000 for both of us.

Carol

 

Monaco, as usual- can't give up my bargain annual hotel room or I'll never get back in again. Besides, where else can you get that close to the cars, drivers, etc., much less see such terrific road cars (everything from McLaren F1s to Bugatti EB110s, and more Ferraris than you can count) parked casually on the streets?

 

I used to go to Montreal every year, but never again. Why?

1. Too expensive. Not the race itself, but the hotels! They've doubled in price over about a four-year period. Restaurants have also gone up significantly.
2. Too restrictive. I always went around the track during the Saturday F1 sessions to take photos from vantage points other than my reserved seat. In 2001, for the first time, none of the places I had shot from since 1982 was available. (Expanded grandstands, VIP chalets, new TV equipment, and just increased security saw to that.)
3. Better TV coverage. In spite of what others think, SPEED does a great job. For many years there was no coverage at all; then there was just race-day coverage, often tape-delayed. Today's coverage makes going to the race almost completely unnecessary.
4. Inferior car sound. Cars all sound the same now and the high RPMs are hard on hearing. Give me back the old days when there were different-sounding engines whose RPMs were reasonable.

Indy just doesn't excite me; while they did a good job considering the limitations, the circuit is just too artificial to me. If I ever go to another GP live, it will be in Europe.

 

I'm going to the San Marino GP for the first time and to Spa for the 4th time.
I'm really looking forward to them both but i think the San Marino GP at Imola will be great, we go there on saturday for the practice sessions and on sunday for the GP, on friday we visit Modena and Maranello.

 

I will be going to the Canadian GP. (I'll be sitting: grandstand 24 near the hairpin)
Can't wait!

 

Going to USGP. This will be 3rd consecutive year.
may do the pitpass/paddock through Ferrari.
Also this year FCA is having their meet @ Indy race weekend.
debating whether to take the F-car.

 

Good choice! 24 and 15 are the best stands in Montreal, IMHO. And at the end of the day, take the Metro to Crescent Street (Guy/Concordia station) and have fun!

 

A must for you is to go to San Marino and go to the Maranello Rosso Museum (www.maranellorosso.com). As you go up the mountain to the castle, the museum is on the left. It's a bit different from the Ferrari Museum in Maranello - is more into history (and the life of Enzo) and has some awesome cars on display. We are doing like you, going to practice on Saturday, race Sunday and Friday to San Marino and Thursday the freebie owner factory tour. Where are you sitting?? We are in Acque Minerali Section D. Be sure to check out the statue at Imola of Senna - it's most interesting. At Spa, we've always been at ***ness (Silver 8) but decided to give Pouhon (Silver 6) a try this year. We always walk the tracks after the race (except that the constabulary keep you off at Indy) and check out the seating for next time!

Have a great time.

Carol

 

Leave in 10 days for the Australia GP, preceded by riding the Indian-Pacific from Perth to Sydney. Hope to get Canada tickets nailed down before leaving for Oz, then work on China when I get back...

dn

 

I might be going to the Australian Grand Prix, but that depends on whether I can find a way into the pitlane!

 

I was planning for US and Canada, but I have to start my research over summer for grad school.

 

Wow, Jim! I was trying to think of something to add, but you hit all points there. I second every one of your comments. I continue to do Indy only because it's a 3-hour drive. We don't even stay for the race--we leave early Sunday AM and watch it on TV. What I really miss about Montreal is the people we've met over the years and would get together with at the track. Jury is still out on Canada I guess.

 

I'll be going to Montreal and sitting in stand 24. Looking foward to better photo ops than I had last year (stand 1).

 

You will! 24 is great, though photography is better in the morning and early in the race when the sun is mainly behind you. There's a big-screen TV off to your right.

And you'll be amazed just how quickly the cars slow down for the hairpin!

And after the race you'll appreciate how much closer you are to the Metro station.....

 

I'm in 24 also. What's your row, etc. I'm in section 2, row V.

Gary

 

This will be my first time at the Montreal GP. I remember you saying a long time ago that grandstand 24 is one of the best. That's the reason why I picked 24.
I'm sure it will great!

 

Bahrain GP!

 

Cool! Thanks for the tips! I'll try to snap away during the morning then!

Gary, I'm in section 2 as well, although I'm in row A (I think midway up?).

I'm really looking foward to going back to Montreal, just a great city and just so much fun!

 

I have been to the last 2 Indy GPs and was set on Montreal for this year. But I blew up my "fun" budget on slot cars and diecasts. So most probably I will be watching the races on TV