My boss is driving in the races next month in Montreal. He has offered me pit passes. Has anyone ever been? I have never been to anything like that before. I'm thinking of going if I can can talk one of my friends into going with me. Sounds like fun?

 

Just bought my tickets today...its going to be incredible. From the pictures of all the cars in the city and the race day photos from last year it looks to be a great time!

 

I'm really looking forward to this. I've learned a little more about it all. 300,000 spectators and incredible Montreal nightlife. The city shuts down for this that weekend. My boss is getting us competitor passes, which lists us as part of his pit crew. Unlimited access pretty much anywhere! I'll take lots of pics and post back here.

 

Who does your boss happen to be?

Also for anyone who went last year, what are the things that should not be missed this weekend? places to see? different events?

 

He's not Formula 1 he's Formula 1600. He's a mere mortal, but still has a fun as s**t car

I'm also interested in the questions Smokin poses. I'll ask my boss, maybe he knows. If so I'll post back.

 

Heading up to NYC on Tuesday and then off to Montreal on Thursday AM...can't wait...

 

It is a top notch race & facility and top notch host city. City will be a big party and people from all over the world. There is good nightlife, good food, and well known for top notch hookers & strippers (if that is what you're into... so I hear), as well as fairly open air marijuana park in city center (if that is what you're into). I do always see some nice cars out on streets that weekend.

The course I will say is pretty restrictive for viewing, if you don't have some kind of special credentials. Pretty much where your seats are is all that you will see. The fences, stands etc. are all screened off so for example it is very hard to look thru the fence or stands and see a different vanatge points than where your seats are, esp. race day. For example if you ever went to F1 at Indy it is nothing like the access and viewpoints you got there, esp. from infield. Indy was an anomoly. I'd say Montreal is like European F1 races I've been to, pricey and packed and tough to see anything you didn't specifically pay for. Still great though.

Several years back race night at Montreal I went to a Greek restaurant a bit away from city center that a local recommended to us and while we're there who walked in but Ross Brawn. I made the ugly American descision to walk over to him - before he sat down and was waiting for his table - and we ended up talking for 10 min.s or so. He was very cool but very tight lipped on anything substanative I asked him, I think that may have been the year Michael announced his retirement. He didn't flip me any race tix or anything like that but he was very gracious and fun to talk to. That has been my all time Montreal hi-light, might make me sound like pathetic race groupie. At Indy I used to see drivers out and around town all the time. Drank beer with Nick Heidfeld one night (actually don't think he was drinking) way way back when he was a virtual unknown racing for the Prost/Peugeot/Ligere team. That was the kind of thing you'd see at Indy that you won't likely see in Montreal.... it would be like Jr. Ernhardt going out to a local Dennys... just doesn't happen.

 

Sounds cool. Really looking forward to this!

 

Haha I think I might just pass out if I were to run in to RBrawn or anyone for that matter. Happen to remember the name of the Greek restaurant you ate at?

Thanks for the info...more veterans please chime in!

 

I know the person who told me about the restaurant. I will try to find out name and post. It was upper scale type but not outrageous and food and ambiance were excellent... and obviously good enough rep. to reach into the right circles. I'd bet if you looked up a Zagat type deal on Greek places it would be one of the only ones in upper scale class. I remember it had an obviously Greek name and we took a cab there and I ended up walking back to hotel in city center and that was a big mistake b/c way too far, I remember passing McGill Univ. walking back.

You will have a blast I'm sure. Esp. if you've never seen F1 before. You will no doubt leave convinced that F1 is the real deal.... and Montreal really is great... race weekend anyway... I've never been any other time.

Whoever is driving make sure you check req. travel credentials / doc.s, used to pre 9-11 be able to get-in w/ US drivers liscense I think but pretty sure not any more.

 

You definitely need a passport now...since 2009

 

deckman...who's your boss anyway? might as well have someone to cheer for in the 1600 race

 

Peter Andrews, #44 of the Mortimer Racing team.

 

[quote=Smokinsupra95;2866750] Happen to remember the name of the Greek restaurant you ate at?


I am pretty sure this is it.... hope you read French.
http://www.milos.ca/fr/montreal/index.html

If you see Ross there tell him I said hi, and good job last year buying Honda for 1 pound and winning championship and then selling to Mercedes for god knows how much.

 

Haha thanks and I will certainly tell him that when I see him!!