[Spridgets] F1 Montreal

[Neil Anderson]

Hi Dave,

I hope I can provide a little help.  I was fortunate to be able to attend
the 2013 Montreal F1 race with a fellow Healey Club member from Illinois.
He won a chance to drive one of the F1 race drivers in his Austin-Healey
around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve during the Driver's Parade.  We drove
his BJ8 to Montreal for the event.  The Montreal A-H Club has had the honor
for many years of being the car club to escort the 20 or so F1 drivers
around the track prior to the Grand Prix.  Annually, four to five Healey
owners outside of the Montreal club also get to participate in the parade.
As part of the package, we had weekend passes to the track activities and
direct access into the track with the Healeys on race day.  There are also
some races in the morning before the Grand Prix, including (that year) a
Ferrari Challenge Series race.

Sorry, I cannot help you with hotel (or restaurant) recommendations, but I
would suggest you finding one close, within walking distance, to the Metro
line.  We stayed outside of Montreal, but did drive Healeys into the city
on Saturday for the morning practice and qualifying.  We parked underground
at the Grand Bibliotheque' (library) and took the Metro the short distance
to Notre-Dame Island Park where the F1 track is.  Here is a Metro map:
http://www.metrodemontreal.com/map.html  There is no car parking at the
track.

Whether you drive or walk to a Metro station, you will need to get to the
*Berri-UQAM* station and transfer to the Yellow line that goes to the Jean
Drapeau station and follow the crowd across the bridge to the track.  The
seating areas you are looking at will be towards the left, after the
bridge.  Berri-UQAM info here:
http://www.metrodemontreal.com/orange/berri/index.html

The large contingent of Montreal Healey Club members and Healey parade
drivers usually sit in the second grandstand after the EPINGLE HAIRPIN,
called the 'Popular Grandstand'.  This grandstand gives you a good view of
the race cars coming into the hairpin, through the hairpin and then
accelerating past, a few yards in front of the grandstand down the long
Casino Straight.  But, any of the grandstands on the outside of the
'Hairpin' area give good views of the racing. The hairpin is the slowest
corner on the track and there is usually good action as the cars jockey for
position through the turn.  This grandstand is less expensive than the ones
you mentioned and is probably as good to see the action.

On Saturday (we went after qualifying), there is a big party on several
blocks of streets in 'downtown' Montreal for the race fans, with music, car
manufacture booths, vendors selling race team regalia and such.  Many of
the restaurants in the area are reserved for private race team parties.  It
is quite the show, if you don't mind crowds.  I don't know the exact
location because I rode with our Healey Club host, but can find out that
info if you are interested.

Depending on how long you are in Montreal, there are many attractions you
may choose to visit.  We went to an area called 'Old Montreal' that was
quite good.  Many of the shops in the area sell race team shirts and gear.
The city really goes all out for the Grand Prix.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Best,

Neil Anderson
Illinois
Healey BT7 and Sprite project


On Sat, Jan 2, 2016 at 12:59 PM, dwoerpel via Spridgets <
spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:

> HAPPY NEW YEAR!  fellow afflicted LBCer's.  Off topic question for you.
> We're planning a trip to the Montreal F1 race in June and wondered if any
> of you have pearls of wisdom in the way of helpful suggestions, i.e., good
> viewing corners, places to stay, easiest way to get to the track, etc.
> We're presently looking at Grandstands 21 & 24 at the hairpin and would get
> a 3 day ticket (no choice but we would do that anyway).  Half the family is
> flying there and the other half is driving(we'll be leaving the car at the
> hotel.)  We've looked at some web sites but first-hand knowledge is always
> appreciated.  Thanks in advance!
>
> Dave
> "Pay It Forward"
>
>
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