Hey guys, I plan on attending my first GP this coming season and I wanted it to be the 2006 Canadian Gp this summer and would like advice on seating for the race and places to check out in town. As I am graduating college in May I ought to be able to afford to attend a race and enjoy the nightlife (read: REd Light District), so I am pretty excited and all suggestions are welcome.

Hotels in Montreal during the GP weekend are pretty expensive. You should check out McGill University as they rent out dorm rooms for the race weekend that are pretty cheap....plus you can get the metro near the University and the metro gets you every where you need to go...and it is the way you will get to the Isle Notre Dame for the track as well.

As for good seats..... look at the Grandsatands at the Senna chicane and at the hairpin at the other end of the track. General Admission areas are not very good in my opinion.......

have fun

ciao

Agreed.
Stands 11, 12 and 24 are the best. If you're a wee bit short of money then 33 and 34 are okay, too. The best way to get to the island is by the metro.

I stayed at the dorms a couple of times, the only drawback was the walk up University as the building was at the very top. More then once I got a cab just to go up that hill.

On the other hand: if you fully experience the RLD you won't need a place to stay. Now that I've a girlfriend who comes along the trip's gotten much much cheaper. We stay at a Bed and Breakfast and even with the additional plane ticket and food and beverage tabs (and there's tons of great places to eat) it's still much cheaper than when I was there in a single capacity. But what memories... the flag meetings are at 6am and getting there on time got very challenging, as did staying awake (during the support groups).

I suggested Chateau Royale right on Crescent St. to a poster on another site and he called and said it was closed in July. Any native know if it was just a name change or under different management? I stayed there for a couple GPs and it was awesome. Right up someones alley looking for the wilder nightlight in Montreal. The place was huge so I can't imagine it sitting vacant. Considering it was suites and less than 300CDN per night a couple years ago I thought it a relative bargain.

The race is in June.

I mean the hotel is closed permantlly since last July. Apparently the university took it over and now it is dorms. What a shame...best place I ever stayed and I've been going for over ten years.

I lived in Montreal for years, but you know, you'll have to tell me where this "red light district" is, 'cause I don't think it exists.

I was wondering the same thing.. lol

I am thinking about heading to the Montreal GP for the first time this year, as well.

Was looking at tickets on the weekend. Which is the absolute best stands of 11, 12 or 24?

Can't speak to the best seats as I'm a course marshall (so I figure I've got the 2nd best seat in the house) but from watching the crowds those in the hairpin seem to have the most fun.

Regarding the other issue as I didn't think it real appropriate to the site, but as the forum is about travelling to other areas: Ste. Catherine has very entertaining establishments.

yup. figured that.

Should we choose higher or lower seats at 11,12 and 24 stands?
I saw TV that people walk-in circuit after racing. Can we walk-in circuit after racing at these stands?
If so, is it far to reach podium? (I think 24 is far. How about 11 and 12?)

For Friday and Saturday, can GA ticket access all areas? It means I can buy GA tickets for Friday and Saturday to sit Stands 1, 2 and 3.

Thanks for you guys helping.

Once the event is over (and the paramilitary security doesn't mind) I can't think of any places in particular where spectators get real easy access to the track but would think it's accessible from anywhere with a little effort. Being trackside I occasionally need spectator area access (buying shirts, call of nature, etc.) and usually have to flex some fencing or limbo thru grandstand supports to get there.

Attended the 2003 event in Montreal and had great seats in the hairpin (stand 24). After the race we (and about 1000 other folks) were able to walk the track back toward the entrance (stand 31).

Not sure if they still allow but it was kind of neat to be able to do.

I thought the only challenge was in getting from the spectator area to the track, but once the race is over and the FIA car goes by the track is once again a public park.

IMHO the best seat on the track is Tribune 11 sections 1/2/3. You see the start, pit exit & the whole Senna curve. If you sit in the higher sections there are trees that interfear with your sightlines.(I don't recall which sections this affects) Tribune 12 in section 5/6 is very good too & you want to sit in row 20 or higher.

There are no official "grandstand swapping" provisions with Montreal tickets. I've asked the organizers repeatedly to do that to no avail. General admission will not get you into the stands. Your only hope is to talk your way past the ticket checker.

As far as sitting high of low it makes little difference at 24 but at 11 and 12 I'd say avoid the lower 15 tiers.

I have sat in 24 twice and 15 once. 15 was great. It faces the hairpin, so you see the cars at speed, braking and accelerating.

Don't go too high up. 3/4 ways up is probably the highest I would go.

Officially STOKED here....I've had tickets for 10 yrs(easily sold) and only been able to attend 3 of the 10 yrs and this year I've secured a hotel...so all is good .I'm so JACKED being able to go back to Montreal this year!!...