Has anyone here even been? What can you say about the quality of the views from different areas of the track?

From everything I've seen of the circuit on TV, the outside of T2 seems like the best place to be. One has a clear view of the first two turns and the short bit down to T3, the pits, and the final chicane.

Then again, the hairpin at the far side seems like it would be really nice too.

Those tickets are really expensive though ($400 for the weekend). We were thinking about grandstand 31, which overlooks the chicane before the far hairpin. Those are only $225.

Also any ideas for other good things to see and do in Montreal, none of us have ever been to the city before so a list of specific things to do in the city would be nice.

I'd recommend you change your plans and go to Mosport for ALMS weekend. I'm biased though. I think if I were to go to the Canadian GP and pick my spot, I'd go in the Turn 2 area so I can see the start and the run in to T3. From what I recall that's where a lot of the action is.


All in all, I think le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a terrible track, though. I'd seriously recommend a trip to Mosport for the ALMS weekend instead. $65 tickets if ordered in advance, $25 for general camping (1 car, up to 6 people). Cheap weekend, amazing people, amazing track, amazing experience. Oh yes, and beer. Bring lots of beer.

To hell with that. Nothing like seeing F1 cars in-person.

We'll be seeing plenty of Daytona prototypes at VIR this summer. This trip is for F1.

Quote from MAGGOT :

All in all, I think le Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is a terrible track, though.

Why do you say that?

There's a bit of competition between Ontario and Quebec, see post #2.

I'm not interested in reading any bullshit quibbling about Ontario and Quebec. If he has legitimate issues with the circuit or the race, I'd like to hear them.

Please keep this thread on topic.

Quote from Lateralus :

Why do you say that?

It just is. It's got no interesting elements at all imho. Not to mention it's pretty low as far as driver safety is concerned. Couple years back in the star mazda race there was a crash involving some 12-20 cars (forget the exact number, but it was A LOT for a road race). Thankfully none of the kids were killed (though one suffered a bruised heart).

Quote from Riders Motion :

There's a bit of competition between Ontario and Quebec, see post #2.

While I always enjoy a good spat with Quebec, I don't hate the Montreal circuit out of spite. :P And, quite honestly, le Circuit Mont Tremblant is an absolutely stunning course located in a stunning area... even if the people do treat you like crap for not speaking french

I completely understand your point with seeing F1 cars in person. While I'm not a fan of modern F1, I'd still go see a race if the opportunity arose. They are a spectacle to behold. The newest F1 cars I've seen on track were a 94 Ferrari and a 94 Benetton at Mont Tremblant in 2005. Just the two of those made the hairs stand up on my neck.


...But I'd still rather go to Mosport for ALMS weekend hehe If you like Daytona Protos, you should check out the event at Mont Tremblant... if they're running there this year again.

Anyways.. as I said in the previous post, I'd go with T2 exit if you want to go to the CGP.

[EDIT] Just looked at your username, and saw the quote in your sig. Nice choice. Tool is also a spectacle to behold live

Quote from MAGGOT :

It's got no interesting elements at all imho.

Point taken, but I disagree. The final chicane is considered by F1 drivers to be fairly high on the difficulty scale. The whole circuit is considered by F1 drivers to be one of the more difficult ones on the calendar - the surface is bumpy, the chicanes are quite technical, the kerbs are tricky, and they run low downforce so the cars are twitchier than normal.

Quote from MAGGOT :

Not to mention it's pretty low as far as driver safety is concerned.

True it's more dangerous than many of today's super-smooth, gigantic-runoff area circuits, but that has no bearing on my enjoyment of the race as a spectator.

Quote from MAGGOT :

And, quite honestly, le Circuit Mont Tremblant is an absolutely stunning course located in a stunning area...

Yeah I know, and I'd like to go to a race there someday. But this whole trip is about the Grand Prix. It isn't like we're going to Canada and would like to catch a motor race while we're there. F1 is it.

Quote from MAGGOT :

Anyways.. as I said in the previous post, I'd go with T2 exit if you want to go to the CGP.

That was my first choice, but it was before we saw the ticket prices. $400 for the grandstand outside T2, $500 across from the pits. A bit out of our price range, basically.

A specific question for anyone who has been before... does a grandstand ticket include access to the general admission areas? We'd like to watch a practice session from somewhere other than our assigned seats. Any suggestions? I read in F1 Racing this year that T4 is pretty spectacular, but we don't want to miss any action walking all the way out there to find our view blocked by hordes of other people. And it might be restricted to journalists and photographers. The final chicane would be nice too, but there are no grandstands there so viewing seems as though it might be very limited.

Anyone know where to find out which races will have the BMW Pitlane Park?

I went in 2006, I sat at the hairpin on the exit side.

Pro: It's a great weekend! Witnessed 30 odd laps of Raikkonen chasing down Alonso, might not have been riveting on tv but seeing it up close was amazing. Kimi had a big advantage at that corner, so was laying the pressure on huge, putting Fred into a rare (2006 remember) mistake that didn't make it to broadcast. The corner was in bod shape, with oil spilled from the ferrari race, and the track generally falling apart from the sun+cars. Lots of slippin and slidin fun around the casino Opening lap looked quite a bit like this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=T8lVhNqWYqo

The atmosphere was great, you could feel the tension in the whole crowd on thursday, until the first car came blazing into the hairpin (Monteiro I believe). Everyone erupting with cheers. It's great feeling the grandstand shake when the engines rev, I knew they would be loud, but wow, bring ear plugs.

Also got to get very near (3 ft ) to a BF1 going through some warmup revvy thing. This was at the sauber f1 fun park that was set up downtown.

There's lots to do in the town on the weekend, it's a huge, huge party. The main streets are closed and there are people everywhere. I recommend http://www.citynoise.org/article/6602, finest gentlemen's club in the world the say

Con: Expensive.


The mazda star accident was huge, but the problem was really between the harness and the steering wheel if you catch my drift. The track itself is not that dangerous, the straight before the hairpin is probably the most dangerous, where kubica had his accident. That's the only time you are going quickly head first into with a fast corner instead of chicane.


Tickets for any grandstand also get you into general admission. I found very little good viewing space for GA, the hairpin is very far away if you try that route.

Quote from sweetreid :

Also got to get very near (3 ft ) to a BF1 going through some warmup revvy thing. This was at the sauber f1 fun park that was set up downtown.

Wait, you mean the Pitlane Park isn't at the track itself? Hmmmm.

Great comments, thanks a lot.

Quote from Lateralus :

Point taken, but I disagree. The final chicane is considered by F1 drivers to be fairly high on the difficulty scale. The whole circuit is considered by F1 drivers to be one of the more difficult ones on the calendar - the surface is bumpy, the chicanes are quite technical, the kerbs are tricky, and they run low downforce so the cars are twitchier than normal.

I can respect that decision. It does have some technically difficult sections; and as far as chicanes go, I quite like that final section, too. But overall, I just really don't like the course. It doesn't have much wow-factor, if you get my drift. (Although.. it is located on a man-made island...)

How much are the tickets in the hairpin? If they're a lot less (+$100) I'd say go there, but if they're still topping $350 I'd swallow the $400 and go with T2. I always enjoy seeing the start of the race and the hectic event that is T1.

I was suppose to go see the Nascar and Rolex race there but broke my leg. I sent my tickets to my friend and he had a great time. I had T2 tickets. They have a huge big screen on the other side of the track so you can watch the race all around the track, and catch the great side by side action trough 1 and 2. The major draw back is that the walk is REALLY long. I guess you exit the metro close to T2 but you have to walk around the track to make it to the stands.

while in Montreal you must try this beer:

Quote from evilgeek :

while in Montreal you must try this beer:

I've had it. It's fantastic. So is Maudite.