Canada F1 GP. Anyone going?

[FrankoQ]

Anyone interested in going to Canada for the F1 race?
June 6

[Scany]

I would if I wasn't in Norway at the time. Have fun! I think it might be a bit late to get a hotelroom. Last time I tried I couldn't find anything close enough to be fun, 9 month ahead of time.

[FrankoQ]

yikes. I better start looking!

[woodym3]

I doubt if you can find any accommodations in the downtown areas at this late date. You might try finding a lodging service to do the work for you. No matter how far out you are, get something within walking distance of a Metro station. In addition to talking the Metro to the races, it will be the best way to get to the various downtown street parties that take place Friday and Saturday nights. One alternative to the races is a pedestrian ferry from the boat basin near Jacques Cartier Square. Be aware that ALL of the hotels double their rates for the race weekend.
I've been six or so times and it is worth it.

[FrankoQ]

Thanks for the tips.

[Scany]

A guy at work want to go also, and I might change my vacation plans for Norway if there available hotels. but like Woody said, I think the chances are slim.

[RamaVR6]

Anyone interested in going to Canada for the F1 race?
June 6

different date:
F1 TIMETABLE
Fri 11 June 2010
Friday Practice 1 10:00 - 11:30
Friday Practice 2 14:00 - 15:30
Sat 12 June 2010
Saturday Practice 3 10:00 - 11:00
Qualifying 13:00
Sun 13 June 2010
Race 12:00


Jeff

[gnhovis]

I doubt if you can find any accommodations in the downtown areas at this late date. You might try finding a lodging service to do the work for you. No matter how far out you are, get something within walking distance of a Metro station. In addition to talking the Metro to the races, it will be the best way to get to the various downtown street parties that take place Friday and Saturday nights. One alternative to the races is a pedestrian ferry from the boat basin near Jacques Cartier Square. Be aware that ALL of the hotels double their rates for the race weekend.
I've been six or so times and it is worth it.

I'm thinking about going and flying my folks out from California to meet there. Any recommendations on which tickets to get for the race? I think the last Grand Prix I went to was the US GP West at Long Beach in 1980. I remember moving all around the course during practice and qualifying, then watching from the grandstands for the race (and watching Clay Regazonni's horrific crash...) They had the paddock in the Long Beach Convention Center in those days. You could watch the crews rebuild the cars and break for dinner. I remember seeing the Commendatore direct one of the Ferrari mechanics to get a clean shirt because he got sauce on it (he was covered in grease.)

I was thinking of driving up there. Looks like about a 10 hour drive from DC? Dumb idea? Any hotel advice (got the near metro bit) with regard to location for those not attending the race? Any benefit doing one of those grandprixtours type packages vs DIY?

[woodym3]

I recommend Grandstand 21, or one of the others that forms a stadium around the Casino Hairpin - if only for the convenience of a shorter walk to the Metro station. The cars are in view for a least 10 seconds in this area which is a long time by F1 standards. Plus there is a 4-sided video screen so you can really watch what's being shown all the way around the track. On the other end of the track there are granstands that offer better views of some fast turns, but are more expensive. Security is tight at all the stands, so don't think you can sneak into one.

I don't think driving up is dumb. It is a pretty and easy drive if you avoid I95. Going up I like to take I81 all the way to Canada at Thousand Islands.

You can find tons of touristy things for your parents to do in Montreal. Museums, galleries, historic sites, etc. Even a karting track.

I've never done a GP Tour. I get the impressiion it's really a first class way to do it (meetings with drivers, etc), but super expensive.

The last time I went a friend got me an invitation to a BMW of Canada reception at a fancy restaurant. I got to meet Robert Kubica (the night before he was almost killed right in front of me) and the young BMW test driver Sebastian Vettel.

[gnhovis]

Ever stay in Laval? It looks like hotels are about half the price of Montreal and not too far from the end of the line of the Metro.

[woodym3]

Your parents might enjoy running the Lachine Rapids near Laval. http://www.raftingmontreal.com/english/index_eng.html