13 replies to this topic

[Ira]

If any of you are going to Monaco for the GP and would like to meet to talk racing over a beer or a meal, let me know. If you're a first-time visitor to Monaco and need advice I'll try to help, as I've been going since '92. It's a long trip from the US, but definitely worth it.

[BuzzingHornet]

Ira, I don't know if i'll be going this year but definitely want to go next year... could you tell me where to get tickets from and roughly how much, and what do you do for accomodation?

I heard that there are some very cheap spectator enclosures there... is that true?
cheers

[Ira]

You might have an easier time buying tickets in the UK than I do here in the US. I used to be able to buy them directly from the ACM (Automobile Club of Monaco), but for the past few years, by the time the order form reaches me and I head straight for the bank to get a draft in French Francs, the tickets are sold out. Lately, I've resorted to buying them from Just Tickets in the UK. Obviously, you pay a premium, but the seats are excellent and the service reliable, in my experience. The cost of seats is high, and the only cheap tickets are up in the Secteur Rocher (on the Rock), from which you can't see too well. Last year I had terrific seats high up in Section K2, and was really impressed, but all this comes at great cost.
Accomodations in town are very difficult and expensive. If you're on a budget, the only good option is to stay in Nice or one of the smaller neighboring towns in France or Italy, and take the train into Monaco. That's far from ideal, especially on race day, due to the crowds. Staying in town is great, as the whole place revolves around the race and you get to watch the activity build as Sunday approaches, but hotels are few and far between, not to mention pricey. The teams take up lots of the available space, and most hotels are booked year-to-year by the same people (including me).
I was lucky several years ago to get a reasonably-priced room in a well-located hotel, and I've kept it every year since. Before that, I stayed in another hotel in town (since fully booked by team personnel), in Nice, or in a small neighboring French town. If you get serious about attending next year, let me know- I'll e-mail you a list of all the hotels in town with notes on their location, price range, etc. In any case, you'll need to start early, as even the few rooms that do become available are booked 6 months in advance, and most require minimum stays of 3-6 nights (at 2-3 times normal rates). Despite all that, it's a terrific race to see, and you won't regret going.

[BuzzingHornet]

Thanks Ira! I really want to go but its going to take some planning

Thanks for the offer of the list of hotels, i'll get back to you about it nearer the time, ok?

Cheers

[Ira]

No problem. Just e-mail me when and if you're ready, but keep in mind you'll need to start early.

[Pascal]

Hello Ira

Too bad, but my job won't allow me to make it for the Grand-Prix this year, so I guess our beer at Flashman's will have to be postponed.

If you want to reserve a seat in the grandstand, you may want to try to contact ACM directly through their E-mail (info@acm.mc). Online booking might be coming next...

[Ira]

Sorry you won't be able to make it. Hopefully we'll have that beer next year. Thanks for the on-line booking suggestion. I hope it becomes a reality soon, but as you probably know, in the past ACM wouldn't even accept credit cards (you had to pay with a bank draft in French francs), much less anything as exotic as electronic booking!

[Niall]

Ira,

Just how far in advance do you need to book for Monaco? I was surprised at how quickly flights and accomadation for even less popular Grand Prix (like Barcelona) go. I'm planning to go to Monaco next year and would love to see your list of Hotels and your views on best place to watch.

By the way, there is a ticket-booking site at
www.f1-tickets.com
I haven't used it and have no idea of how good it is, and how much of a premium they charge for the service.

[Ira]

If you plan to stay in town, I'd start looking for a hotel AT LEAST 6 months in advance. Team personnel take up many of the relatively few rooms in Monaco, and most hotels book their rooms to the same teams or individuals from year to year. Staying in Nice or a neighboring smaller town in France or Italy is easier and cheaper, but requires a train ride to and from Monaco, which can be tough, at least on Sunday. If you're planning on flying into Nice, plane reservations from any European gateway are also booked months in advance, so keep that in mind.
Where you should consider staying (assuming you can get a room) depends largely on how much you want to spend. If you'll let me know some time what you've got in mind, I'll fill you in on which hotels are in that price range.
In my humble opinion, the best seats are those in the K and M grandstands, because they've got a view of the giant screen. Due to the track layout, it's otherwise impossible to see anything that's happening in areas other than where you're seated. I prefer to sit in the stand at Casino Square during Thursday practice, but in a low K grandstand (K2 seems best to me) for qualifying and the race. These are pricey, and the premium charged by the ticket services make it worse, but what can you do?
Hope this helps. Let me know when you're ready to plan next year's trip and I'll fill you in on the details re. hotels, etc. Take care.

[Pascal]

I agree that the K grandstands are the best. Expensive they may well be, but they are worth it...

[mel]

Pascal, welcome back. Nothing from you on this board for a while. Have you been away?

[Pascal]

Got a bit tired after a while, as it seemed to me a bit sterile to talk endlessly about Formula 1 without seeing the cars racing, even if being limited by a TV screen...

But I guess high octane fuel must be running in my veins, and I began to miss you guys.

Now I'm back, and I'm here to stay!

[mel]

I wouldn't go in there just now, there's a cat fight going on.

[Pascal]

Time to bring in the dogs then...