[rcracin]

I’m driving up on Friday. I’ll be at Grandstand 12

[rcracin]

Originally Posted by pseto

Reviving this thread since F1 is only 10 days away. Looking forward to another awesome trip and hope the race is better than that snoozer at Monaco this past weekend.

Tickets in GS12 booked again, but this time staying at an AirBnB in Gay Village. Any advice for that area?

My group will be in Section 4 Row C per the tickets. Also doing an airbnb.

[pseto]

Originally Posted by rcracin

My group will be in Section 4 Row C per the tickets. Also doing an airbnb.

I'm in sec 6, not sure what row but i think closer to the top

[rcracin]

Originally Posted by pseto

I'm in sec 6, not sure what row but i think closer to the top

Cool. Any recommendations from your trip last year? Things not to do?

[pseto]

Originally Posted by dcgolfdr

I agree. We are leaving Arlington 7 AM in a white X1. Going up 270 to 15 to 81. We can race.

I think we leaving about the same time. We're in a black diesel X5, we'll win

Do you take 81 all the way up and then east towards Montreal? I've heard that there are a lot fewer cops so we may try that route too. Last year, we got a ticket on 87 which had a ton of cops

[pseto]

Originally Posted by rcracin

Cool. Any recommendations from your trip last year? Things not to do?

This thread REALLY helped last year so I felt very prepared. We taxied over to the casino and made the long walk over to GS12. We took soft-sided coolers and backpacks to store drinks and bought chairs with backs for the bleachers (my fat ass appreciated that). The downside was having to carry all that stuff and trying to store it when at your seat, but it wasn't that bad. Unlike the US, they don't bring the bomb squad out and check any bags, so you can pretty much bring anything into the park that you want.

Don't forget sunscreen, hat, shades! Those bleachers get really hot (even when its 65 degrees) and we were sitting in the sun the whole time since there's no cover. Wifi at the track didn't work that great, my phone would constantly search for a signal which drains the battery (bring a charger).

Definitely check out the downtown area (St Catherine & Crescent) where they close off the streets and have a huge block party with concerts and a ton of nice things to look at Little Italy had a car show last year which was nice, not sure if that's an every year thing, but I'm going to look out for it. The race teams stay at the Ritz-Carlton, so there's a lot of eye candy. Subway is very efficient for getting around too. You'll have a great time especially since the weather forecast looks to be perfect.

[rcracin]

Thanks man, much appreciated. Good tip on the bags not getting searched. Might throw a few cold ones in my backpack cooler.

Where are the bleachers that you mention? Where you hang out at the track during practice sessions?

[3798j]

Originally Posted by pseto

This thread REALLY helped last year so I felt very prepared....

Good to hear that the tips helped...you now sound like a pro.

[Foghorn]

Glad to hear so many of you from the US are coming back to Montreal, and perhaps some first timers.

Hope you guys have a very enjoyable time.

One topic worth mentioning, there is a lot of road construction going on in Montreal, lots of detours and more orange cones than you can imagine!

Here’s to looking forward to passing!

[dcgolfdr]

Originally Posted by rcracin

Thanks man, much appreciated. Good tip on the bags not getting searched. Might throw a few cold ones in my backpack cooler.

Where are the bleachers that you mention? Where you hang out at the track during practice sessions?

Few cold ones?? We take 36 in with us!!

[dcgolfdr]

Originally Posted by pseto

I think we leaving about the same time. We're in a black diesel X5, we'll win

Do you take 81 all the way up and then east towards Montreal? I've heard that there are a lot fewer cops so we may try that route too. Last year, we got a ticket on 87 which had a ton of cops

There are some cops on 81, i got pulled over in Syracuse one year but talked my way out of it. A friend that goes with me is from a western suburb of montreal and we stop at his parents place Thursday night for a big dinner and drinks.

[rcracin]

Originally Posted by dcgolfdr

Few cold ones?? We take 36 in with us!!

You walk in with a cooler?

Do you guys spend all day at the track? It’s my bachelor party weekend so we’ll be looking to do a few other things.

[dcgolfdr]

Originally Posted by rcracin

You walk in with a cooler?

Do you guys spend all day at the track? It’s my bachelor party weekend so we’ll be looking to do a few other things.

We go up for racing and hanging out. There are lots of establishments up there and they are top notch. I am sure with F1 in town the staff will definitely be the varsity team.

[pseto]

Originally Posted by rcracin

You walk in with a cooler?

Do you guys spend all day at the track? It’s my bachelor party weekend so we’ll be looking to do a few other things.

A lot of people have coolers with wheels that you can easily put several 6 packs of beer in. It just sucks to have to roll the cooler from the casino to GS12, which is why we did backpacks/smaller coolers.

I'm there each day watching practice, qualifying, and several other races that go on from Fri-Sun. Track is almost always hot. Was cool to watch some of the older F1 cars race, they were so much louder than the current cars. Oh, and don't forget ear plugs!

[rcracin]

You guys are awesome. Thanks for the tips!

[Ryan13]

Put the beer in your backpack, fill the cooler with ice. Make transfers as you go...you don’t want to run out of ice. The track is in/on a public park, so you can bring food and drinks with you. We usually grab a few subway sandwiches to get thru the day.

The Burger Bar on Cresent is probably the best hamburger I’ve ever had, not to mention the poutine. We’ll go there at least twice. One of the stages is right out the front door, so we sit on the burger bar patio and listen to the music Friday and Saturday night. A cigar bar is across the way with a second story patio...good place as well.

Leaving Thursday, driving this time. We normally fly into Burlington, VT and rent a car. About a 1/3 of the cost to fly into Montreal including a cheap car (you,re gonna park it anyhow, so no need to go big). My buddy wants to bring his 2 sons along, hence the drive.

We always hang out in the pits and talk to the drivers. Not the F1 pits, but the “other”race series. You can walk around all you want in those pits. My buddies brought home scrubs and made tables for their caves. Hoods, doors, seats...you never know.

Try the burger bar, perhaps we’ll see you there.

[Ryan13]

Adding quick clarification...no glass bottles, only cans.

Bring an FM radio...they transmit trackside on 104.3 and 99.1

[Benzima]

Will be there. Going to be at the track hospital near air pin.

[NorthernDancer]

Sun protection and a big hat.

[wdb]

Good walking shoes, unless you're at the hairpin.

[pseto]

Just got back home last night and had another awesome time in Montreal. Thanks again for all the great tips!

Took 81N all the way up and while that was a cool experience, definitely not as scenic as 87 (thanks to Waze for spotting all the cops).

Although the race itself was a snoozer, this is easily becoming my favorite race trip of the year. Decided to try St Viater bagels for the first time (long-time lover of NY bagels) and they were so good, I brought home a dozen. Didn't make it to the Burger Bar on Crescent since its always packed, but had my fair share of great meals. Discovered Place-de-Arts is also a cool place to hang out since they also close down several streets (mostly St Catherine) for live shows and entertainment. Montreal really puts on a great show for F1