GP Tickets - Montreal

[Giblet]

I've never purchased tickets to an F1 event, or been to one.

I am attending Montreal, and need to get everything done. I think I will fly to Ontario, borrow a car from the family, and drive to Montreal from Kitchener Ontario, near Toronto. I've never been to Montreal, so it's all new to me. I'm a left-half Canada kind of guy.

I want good seats, hopefully ones that are for fans of the sport, not the spot with the most screaming spectators.

If I can see cars coming into and out of a corner, to best see the differences in drivers line and cars, I would be happy.

There are of course all these GP packages out there. I don't want to spend a million dollars, but I do want to enjoy myself, and will to spend on where it counts, like my vantage point at the track. I can skimp on a hotel or camping to a certain degree.

Anyone here a local expert on the track and surroundings? Anyone want to metaphorically hold my hand? Earn a nice dinner out when I arrive for the help?

[WhiteBlue]

Get a seat at the wall of champs or at the hairpin.

[sticky667]

live a little.. spring for the pit pass!

[xpensive]

I was there in 1993 and sat at the bend after the start with a view up the hill, a bit to walk bbut great view if you ask me.

I'll be there 2010 as well.

[hecti]

Are the tickets available now?

[hecti]

nvm^

[Giblet]

So, when you buy a ticket, you get a seat in a grandstand, but that does that allow you find your own spot on the side of the track?

I really don't know.

The only races I have attended was the Vancouver Indy, but I had special treatment there through a friends company that was not indicative of my options for Montreal.

Should I look at companies like gptours and such or are they more for the European community? Not sure where to start.

[ringo]

How much money are we looking at here in terms of covering tickets and everything for an enjoyable weekend?

I would like to go, I have never been to an F1 race, i think it may be the only chance i get to watch an F1 race that is relatively close to the caribbean, so it's the closest thing outside of Brazil; which is much more complicated to fly to.

[Giblet]

To be honest, I am not concerned about the cost, within reason.

I am already flying across the country to attend a motor race, a few hundred more here and there is no big deal.

I am frugal. If I can borrow a car and not rent it, I will. I don't want to blindly hand a package company $1000 to get say guaranteed drivers hand shakes.

Just want to see a good race at a good track as a true enthusiast F1 would want. I would like to see the pits, but if it costs _too_ much, I won't bother.

for example, this is not what I want:

Thu Jun 10th to Mon Jun 14th
Tour #1060L
InterContinental Tourelle Suite
F1 driver hosted party
US F1 drivercast and Theme Party
3-day metro pass
GPT tour gift package
Hospitality desk
On-site GPT representative
Tax/Service included
Tour and race itinerary
Restaurant/Entertainment guide
Race tickets not included
4 nights for $2,695.00

Just cuz I can afford something doesnt mean i will afford it. Half of that is fluff and to make me feel special, as opposed to enjoy the race.

[ringo]

I am not that type of spectator, I just want don't want to feel i miss out any action i could have seen on TV at home. If anything, that kangaroo tv device is something i would pay for. The pits, the cars, the drivers i would see too.
All the filler i can miss out, Just simply want to see more than i would than if i were at home watching TV.

[jon-mullen]

for example, this is not what I want:

Thu Jun 10th to Mon Jun 14th
Tour #1060L
InterContinental Tourelle Suite
F1 driver hosted party
US F1 drivercast and Theme Party
3-day metro pass
GPT tour gift package
Hospitality desk
On-site GPT representative
Tax/Service included
Tour and race itinerary
Restaurant/Entertainment guide
Race tickets not included
4 nights for $2,695.00

Wow, you could spend your nights in one of the strip clubs on Rue St. Catherine for less money than that.

[xpensive]

for example, this is not what I want:

Thu Jun 10th to Mon Jun 14th
Tour #1060L
InterContinental Tourelle Suite
F1 driver hosted party
US F1 drivercast and Theme Party
3-day metro pass
GPT tour gift package
Hospitality desk
On-site GPT representative
Tax/Service included
Tour and race itinerary
Restaurant/Entertainment guide
Race tickets not included
4 nights for $2,695.00

Wow, you could spend your nights in one of the strip clubs on Rue St. Catherine for less money than that.

Been there, done that, Jon!

[ISLAMATRON]

honestly I might advise you to forgo the grandstand seat and just go for the Gen admission. That allows you to walk the course during the race and see the cars at many vantage points. Grandstand tix only really get you a really good seat to a small part of the track, although I do understand the point you make regarding seeing the different driver lines. Unless of course your granstand seat is right in front of a big screen.

Those kangaroo TV things are cool but a radio link is good enough to keep you abreat of all the on track goings on... the iphone app would be pretty handy too.

[Giblet]

Renting a Kangaroo would be a novelty I would check out. That is the kind of thing that makes the race better, regardless of vantage point.

I have the iPhone app but I am not sure if I would want roaming charges just to see the live timing. The map is a novelty, it shows cars relative position from the live timing, but it is not aware of passes until the next sector time rings in.

The general admission sounds like it might be a good way to go for Friday and Saturday, and a grandstand for the race to be in the thick of it?

Is there combo tix?

[ISLAMATRON]

check and see... nnot usually