13 replies to this topic

[JPMCrew]

Hello all,

Could someone who has attended the Montreal GP give me some pointers as to which are the better places from which to watch the race? Also, if you have the oficial name for that section, it's be of great help. I really need to get my tickets soon or I'm afraid I will be left empty handed...

[Gilles Villeneuve]

Good luck getting tickets..lol

If you want good seats try and get the section 11 or section 12 in the Senna curve, if they are sold out Try section 10 (which is where I,ll be) infront of the pit exit with view of podium and Senna curve.
Section 15 in the hairpin is also a good seat, all these sections are silver type which are $330 canadian for 3 days.

Their are also other sections bronze and gold, and general adm.

[shoofirbin]

the senna corner is the best viewing on the track, and is probably sold out.
i've been in the hairpin the last couple of years (grandstand 24), and it's good because you get to see the cars for a long period of time, braking, turning and accelerating.
i'm in grandstand 10 this year. i had these same seats a few years ago, and there was a good view of the start. there really aren't any "bad" seats anymore since they put giant tv screens up for the bronze sections. the only grandstand i'd warn you against would be 22, because the cars just scream by.
of course, you can probably get tickets in any section you want in you just show up and pay a scalper.

[caper2874]

Can you not see the hairpin from section 22? I was under the impression that you could, that's why I got my tickets there. I got them near the top, so hopefully that will help. Any other pointers for a first timers?

[Gilles Villeneuve]

Caper, in 97 i was in the section 22, where I was sitting the cars were shifting into last gear so they do scream by. I had a small view of the harpin , I seen them enter but could not see them exit and then you see them blow by section 22. and in 97 their were no giant screen for the bronze seats.
But may I add that the sound was just pure delite!! The road behind the Grandstands is where all the Atlantic series cars pass , and you get a real close view of them , and you also get to see lots of F1 drivers on that road, most go to meet their atlantic series friends , like Jacques did in 97 as did D. Coultard.
In 98 I was in section 11(Senna curve) and it was my first time there, and then to see Wurz's car fly over Alesi and all the restarts, well needless to say that I have to be in the Senna curve NOW.But you have to fax the grand prix of Canada very early to save your tickets, I got my tickets in november( I learned the hard way).

If it's your first time there, you will fall in love with this GP my friend,the whole GP week here is just stupendous.

P.S Hey maybe we can meet there? We'll trade beers..lol

[shoofirbin]

yeah, i didn't mean to be negative about grandstand 22; maybe you will see part of the hairpin if you're up high. the good thing about 22 also, is that you can see down the straight, and sometimes there are some good high-speed dices. bottom line: don't worry about it, because you'll have a blast. there's simply no way you can't.

[caper2874]

Thanks guys, I'm looking forward to it. I'm planning on checking out all the other spots during practices and qualifying. I assume that there is no assigned seating Friday and Sat.? I'm going to be in town for just the 3 days, any other recommendations for the weekends, especially the evenings. I've been to Montreal just once before, in '92 for the Pink Floyd show, great town.

[Wheels]

Hate to tell you this, but all tickets, including Fri. & Sat. are assigned by GS, Sec., & Seat #.. Although on Fri./Sat. they won't be picky about the seat/sec. # they generally won't let you into a different GS on Sat.

See you at Ziggys.

[caper2874]

Ziggy's? Is that downtown or at the track? Aside from the Grandstands, are there many good (or at least interesting or different) viewing spots from the grass, or close to the fences? I love the smell of the exhaust, and Indy has a few spots where you can get pretty close.

[Wheels]

Ziggy's is a bar in dwtn Montreal on Crescent St. I believe Andy is planning the second annual Atlas F1 gettogether there. He will prob. post info just before the race. I've never done GA in Canada, but I think the best spot is at the hairpin. It get's very crowded so plan to be ther when the track opens.

[spyboyyy]

I have enjoyed grandstand 16 because there you get to see the cars for several seconds as it is the last turn before the main straight. Plus pit entrance is right across from the seats and you can even see at least two teams pit stops with the naked eye.
One year I sat in #24 but was not satisfied with the view so I returned to 16 last year and this year as well. 16 is easier to get to since you don't have to cross the most crowded bridge in the world. It is the east most crossing onto the island and you can stand there for over an hour waiting to cross because the must let cars cross the path. Then after the race plan on walking the circuit or visiting the casino because the subway entrance is in full gridlock after the race.
I can hardly wait.

[Gordo]

The greatest part of the weekend is an arrival during the first practice session. You'll hear them as you come across the bridge, just go straight ahead to the fence, stand on your cooler (you can bring all the beer you want, cans preferred) and smell, hear and see them enter the hairpin, it's a great welcome.

GA used to be great in the 80's but after baking in the sun and fighting crowds in 1993 I vowed - never again. Friday and Saturday are quite busy now with Jacques there and Sunday is a nightmare.
There is an area at the hairpin which is quite popular (between 15 & 24) but gets filled early. I've also been to an area that is just before the chicane on the front straight, not great, and one that is before the hairpin (between 31 & 33) ,it's ok you can get quite close but the cars are really moving fast here.

I would suggest buying a seat, anywhere, unless you are young, it's your first GP and poor like I was. It is very crowded and there are not very many areas for GA now.

Been years since I sat in 12 but my personal favorite is 24.7th year there now, great views of glowing brakes, a long view of the cars and very close (front row for the first time this year)

It's awesome, if you've only seen F1 on TV be prepared to be blown away.

[MattB]

General Admission seems like a real big gamble if you want to enjoy the race weekend. I have been for a few years and have seen the General Admission areas shrinking in size. Do yourself a favor and get tickets as many have posted there really isn't a bad seat in the house. The island is so small that they need to put the grandstands fairly close to the circuit. I have sat in GS16, and in GS11. Both spots have their advantages with almost no disadvantage. The cars sound great, the atmosphere is a blast, and I've met alot of great people. Bring your camera with a 200mm lens or greater and you will have some great pictures. I'll be bringing my portfolio to Ziggy's this year.

[Xodiac]

Remember this is a man made island which over the past couple of years has been shrinking as far as spectator GA areas go. It seems like every year there is a new "Hospitality area" for VIP's and such. Last year they made us detour past the sidewalk to GS 11 & 12 and schlep through the mud on a back woods trail! Anyone remember this? You will definitely need seats.

In '96 I think it was, they upgraded the Grandstands and put more in, so there is less standing room. They also eliminated the Senna hairpin as a GA area. You must now show GS tickets to even get near there. That' good for me though. I'll be in my usual spot in GS 12. The view from there.....

http://www.geocities....12section4.jpg


Hoist one at Ziggy's