49 replies to this topic

[RC127]

Well, I got to fulfill an ambition of mine on Monday afternoon, when I walked the entire Monaco Grand Prix track! Here is my account of what was a fantastic experience, the motorsport equivalent of going to Disneyworld!

Took the train from Antibes (had left in the morning, but someone had committed suicide so all the trains were suspended, delaying my trip by several hours), journey took around 50 minutes.

Got off at Monte Carlo station, and headed for the Fontieville exit, through a pristine underground walkway, with black and white marble walls/floors and the most sparkling travelator you will ever see.

Soon made it to the start/finish straight and was immediately surprised to see that the pits/paddock buildings were not there - I honestly hadn't realised they were prefabricated buildings and only existed for the Grand Prix (presume they are used for the Historic GP also?).


Walked excitedly up towards Sainte Devote, and the first thing that struck me was just how steep the climb up Beau Rivage (up to Massenet) actually is. I walked it fairly briskly and I can tell you, the backs of my thighs and calves were screaming for mercy by the time I was finished...


Got my first real WHAT? moment upon reaching Massenet as I could not believe how the track was formed from such a narrow street (nor how sharp the turn was in real life) - I know that many have said that when you get to Monaco you won't be able to fathom how F1 cars race through those streets, but you really do not comprehend this fact until you see it with your own eyes, I guess...


Took my first real breather upon entering Casino Square. Lots of tourists there taking pictures of the kerbs, the Casino and the hotel. Scratching my head as to where they erect the grandstands for this turn (overlooking Casino Sq) as there are so many ornate flower beds, fountains, etc. - another manifestation of "how the hell do they run a race around here?!" for sure...

Another surprise (I think I audibly gasped!) when I saw how steep the drop from Casino Square down to Mirabeau was, the television cameras simply don't do it justice. Had to cross over as the pavement ran out on the side of the street I was walking on, but the "pavement" was actually marked out with flowerboxes on the road, so I was actually walking ON the track! Started to get excited again, as I approached Mirabeau (knowing that I was heading for the Loews Hairpin).



Again lots of people here taking photos, lots of other "pilgrims" ;-)

Big grin when I turned the corner at Portier and saw that I would soon be walking through the famous tunnel at Monaco!


Bought an official 2010 race t-shirt from a gift shop located at the exit of the tunnel, then continued down to the Nouvelle Chicane. Work has just begun on erecting the grandstand here and there is a scaffold structure which will need to be removed for the race (bit of a hazard if there was an airborne incident a la Webber in Valencia!)


Another surprise lay in store, in so far as I knew the track folded in on itself, but really the television fails to convey how close the track at Sainte Devote/Beau Rivage actually comes to Tabac, which basically is a car park servicing the quayside road which constitutes the track at this point. The swimming pool was empty, it would seem that outdoor pools aren't filled at this point (neither was the pool at our accomodation), but the grandstands in this area were also being constructed.



As I neared the end of the lap, I started to get excited as I approached Rascasse but was rather surprised to see the venue has been completely gutted - looks like a major renovation/extension project is underway. So much so, that even with Monagasque levels of money thrown at this project, I struggle to see how the venue will be able to host any F1 hospitality this year. You can see from this picture (hopefully) that there is nothing but exposed beams and electrical cabling inside the shell of the building.


Made it around Anthony Nogues (where the road sign and statue of Fangio are located)


and headed back into the pits/paddock area.

Took a shot of pole position

which as you can see has a nasty bodge job running right through it. Saw lots of holes, imperfections in the track surface like this one, especially between Nouvelle Chicane and La Rascasse. But I also saw tarmac laying machines, so I presume the track will be resurfaced (maybe even in its entirety?) I can't imagine the polesitter would be content with this arrangement! ;-)

Saw the podium

where DC, Lewis and Jenson have picked up the winner's trophy from Prince Albert and then I went for a well earned beer in what will become the F1 paddock in a few short weeks...

The whole walk took me 65 minutes, walking at a reasonable pace (including around 5 minutes stop at Casino Square and another 5 minutes at the gift shop), so all in all, nothing too difficult.

Would love to go back there to see the Grand Prix (I'm targeting my 40th birthday in 2015 as a realistic goal), I think the atmosphere would be sensational.

I have just to visit Monza and Spa and then I can say I have been to five "cathedrals" of F1/motorsport

1. Monaco
2. Indianapolis
3. Silverstone
4. Spa
5. Monza

Hope you enjoyed me sharing my incredible day out, if you get the chance I highly recommend the experience - I absolutely LOVED IT!

Edited by RC127, 06 April 2011 - 19:11.

[Henrytheeigth]

Thanks for sharing the pics mate, glad you had a great time.

[Scotracer]

I've walked the track a couple of times and you never forget just how steep the climb from Saint Devote up to Casino Square actually is.

I've been driven around Monza by a former World Touring Car driver, Alessandro Balzan, in a Golf GTI. u jelly?

[PayasYouRace]

Glad you enjoyed it. When I visited back in 2003 I only did the Tabac to St. Devote portion of the track. I was a bit disappointed but we didn't have much time there.

[RC127]

I've walked the track a couple of times and you never forget just how steep the climb from Saint Devote up to Casino Square actually is.

I've been driven around Monza by a former World Touring Car driver, Alessandro Balzan, in a Golf GTI. u jelly?

Um, yes!!!!!

[RC127]

I've walked the track a couple of times and you never forget just how steep the climb from Saint Devote up to Casino Square actually is.

I know, just like walking up South Street from the Cross!

[Scotracer]

I know, just like walking up South Street from the Cross!

Yes

(inside joke, everyone...)

[kamikaze1]

Don't forget the Nordschleiffe .

Nice pics man. Always great to see a track in person.

[Richard T]

Great read!

Spa is also well worth a trackwalk, the climb from Eau Rouge to Les Combes is sensational and then it goes steep downhill from Rivage, thrugh Puhon and all the way down to Stavelot. A drop of 100 meters IIRC!!! Made my "walk" with my bike, it took almost 50 minutes

[jonpollak]

RICHO:
Great stuff.
Like the moon on tides....
It's good to see the prodigious attraction "our church" has on great race fans like yourself.

Jp..
PS..post it over there anyway..they could do with witnessing a sojourn or two.

[Owen]

Enjoyed reading that. Cheers. A special place indeed .

[AlexS]

Just great. Many thanks for this.

[Gareth]

Hope you enjoyed me sharing my incredible day out

Certainly did, thanks for the great read and the pics. Fantastic to see what it's like on a "normal" day. Cheers for posting it

[molive]

[CONOSUR]

Thanks for the tale of the track. Very nice.

[Amphicar]

Don't forget the Nordschleiffe .

...and la Sarthe (Le Mans)

[undersquare]

Great OP, thanks

[Wi000]

Nice story thanks
and like others mentioned don't forget to put Le Mans and the Nurburgring on your list.

[Scotracer]

One of the times I was there it was only a couple of weeks after the race and they were still dismantling the pit area. You could still see all the rubber from the fast exits from pit-boxes I also managed to snag myself a little souvenir - a stray bolt from an armco barrier.

Just walking around that town then realising that cars hit nigh-on 180mph at certain points in that little place is awe-inspiring.

[Rubens Hakkamacher]

Nice shot with the road detail (bricks). It would be great to see one of those superimposed shots with regular traffic and an F1 car flashing past.

It would also be nice if FOM would allow the production to use longer lenses close up, it scales the elevation better. You always see wide lenses at Lowe's - I suppose someone is thinking "well, we can get the whole turn into the shot", but I think it would make it more interesting. The "non-expected/traditional" perspectives are great, thanks for posting!

[Mika Mika]

Great write up, thanks for sharing - top post!

[Afterburner]

Very interesting to see how the area looks when it's not being used for the race. I have a friend who went to Monaco recently and pretty much walked around the city on the track layout without even knowing they held a race there.

[OfficeLinebacker]

Very cool. Thanks.

Do you live near Antibes or is this part of a bigger vacation?

[Scotracer]

Very cool. Thanks.

Do you live near Antibes or is this part of a bigger vacation?

I wish his home town was nearer Antibes

[Rob G]

Excellent! This is on my "things to do before I die" list.

[wingwalker]

I LOVE seeing stuff like this, thanks so much for sharing. If you have more pictures don't hesitate, post them. Thanks again.

[chdphd]

Great stuff

I walked the circuit in June 2009. I saw quite a few "pilgrims" as well

It's such an experience so to see somewhere you know so well via motorsport and computer games. I can see why people want to live in that part of the world. The climate was lovely.

Photos of my walk

[freya]

Even though I am not a monaco fan, I enjoyed reading this a lot. Thanks for sharing.

[olliek88]

Nice pics and a great read, i walked monaco last year on the friday of the GP and I'm surprised just how different it looks without all the barriers, grandstands and especially the pits/paddock, wierd. Plus I saw JB chillin on his yacht up the road from Tabac and he was pretty cool and chilled until some doughnut started yelling "JENSON! JENSON! JENSON!" endlessly, i swear to god he was a confused alan partridge! then JB went inside , its a special place and i urge people who haven't been to check it out................*checks ticket prices on F1.com* but alas

[wewantourdarbyback]

I've walked the track a couple of times and you never forget just how steep the climb from Saint Devote up to Casino Square actually is.

Must be like the first time you see Eau Rouge... and then climb the bloody steep gravel path at the side of it. Impossible to imagine.

Of course at Spa you're also allowed onto the track after the race and can walk up the hill from the drivers perspective.

[Scotracer]

Must be like the first time you see Eau Rouge... and then climb the bloody steep gravel path at the side of it. Impossible to imagine.

Of course at Spa you're also allowed onto the track after the race and can walk up the hill from the drivers perspective.

I've not done Spa yet

[Victor]

Great stuff RC127. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers

[RC127]

Very cool. Thanks.

Do you live near Antibes or is this part of a bigger vacation?

Nope, I live in Scotland and had a four day vacation in Antibes, courtesy of my inlaws who are visiting us from Canada - they went for a week, we joined them for the last four days of their trip.

Got back last night...

[RC127]

Great stuff

I walked the circuit in June 2009. I saw quite a few "pilgrims" as well

It's such an experience so to see somewhere you know so well via motorsport and computer games. I can see why people want to live in that part of the world. The climate was lovely.

Photos of my walk

Brilliant pics, you captured some angles I didn't even think of! How did I miss that F1 car statue?!

[wewantourdarbyback]

I've not done Spa yet

Do, I'm hoping to do it again this year. Already got Le Mans booked and paid for.

[Amphicar]

Nice story thanks
and like others mentioned don't forget to put Le Mans and the Nurburgring on your list.

Mind you, at 13 miles, a lap of the Nordschliefe would take you a while on foot! Allow 4 hours, including photo stops. Or if you want to do the Gesamtstrecke ("Whole Course"), which includes the current GP track, it goes up to 16 miles.

[RC127]

Some more shots

Casino Square (note the rubber still visible on the racing line)


Run from Casino down to Mirabeau (looking uphill)


Hulkenberg crashed here


Empty swimming pool


The grid goes here


Do you get a ticket for parking here?

[phil1993]

I guess if you went a few weeks later, they'd be setting up because don't they start erecting the barriers and banners about 6 weeks in advance of the race?

[Ghostrider]

Great stuff RC127, I really enjoyed seeing those pics and your comments, thanks.

Elevation on racetracks almost always seems to look less on TV. I have walked the Eau Rogue once and it was so much bigger and steeper than I could ever imagine.

Monaco looks great, I hope I can get my myself down there one day.

[chdphd]

Brilliant pics, you captured some angles I didn't even think of! How did I miss that F1 car statue?!

Ta. It was nestled away

When you see other's people's photo's there always stuff you missed. I never saw the podium!

Edited by chdphd, 06 April 2011 - 21:27.

[F1 Mike]

awsome thanks for sharing

[tremolo]

Nice one. I did the same in July last year.

It took a good 5 mins for my brain to process the fact that the narrow little driveway alongside La Rasscasse was indeed part of the track. It is so unbelievably narrow I simply didn't think it were possible.

[FigJam]

Great pics, thanks for sharing your experience.

I went to Monaco 3 years ago (not for the GP unfortunately) and also walked parts of the track, it is seriously something special. You can't fathom how F1 cars race hard around those streets, it is mind blowing really.

Absolutely want to return, this time especially for the Grand Prix.

[tremolo]

I'm aiming for this: http://www.fairmont....xFormulaOne.htm

Just had a look at my savings & can confirm that I'm on track for the 2087 season race.

[klyster]

^^ Bwahaha I'll maybe get there around the same time if I'm still around.. sigh..

Cool photos, thanks for sharing man

The Smart Fortwo is popular in Monaco, I counted at least six in those photos, maybe the same one a few times?

Edited by klyster, 07 April 2011 - 07:43.

[Suzy]

A very delightful read. Thanks for giving a different view of the track; Monaco is one of those places I want to go to just to say I've been there.

[CSquared]

Very cool post. Hope I can do that someday. I've especially wanted to do this at Monaco since someone told me they leave the curbs there all year.

One of the things that's better at races in Europe in contrast to the States is that they usually let the fans onto the track after a race. I've done laps on my bike at Hockenheimring, and walked around Hungaroring, Misano, and partly at Monza. And then you can hang out on pit wall the rest of the afternoon and watch the teams dismantle the cars and pack up.

[Costaz]

Really enjoyed reading it and looking at the photos, many thanks for sharing, RC127!

[chrisblades85]

Thanks RC. Wish I could get to do something like that one day.

[rich06]

The Smart Fortwo is popular in Monaco, I counted at least six in those photos, maybe the same one a few times?

parking in Monaco is a PITA unless you use the expensive undeground car parks..