Montreal's GP: why it's so much fun for spectators, drivers, teams

[BobHWS]

I read an article today on Canada.com about Montreal's upcoming Grand Prix du Canada that stated "This city is always one of the favourite stops on the F1 calendar for the drivers and their teams, who generally adore the three Ms -- Melbourne, Monaco and Montreal."

Perhaps more importantly Montreal is a favorite F1 venue for any fan who has ever been to a race there. As I head off to my 8th Montreal F1 race (and 7th in a row), here are a few thoughts (and links) about what makes Montreal such a great race to attend.

Like Melbourne and Monaco, and unlike most other F1 venues, the Montreal track is very conveniently located right next to a center city area. Fans take a 5 minute metro ride to the track and then return to their hotels, most of which are located in or near downtown. This arrangement allows the city to become one vast F1 party zone for the four days of the race weekend. Here are some of the events going on during this year's race:

Canadian GP Festival on Crescent St.

Crescent St. is one of the city's main bar and restaurant districts. The street is closed to traffic for two blocks during 3 days of exhibits, bands, souvenir-selling, etc.

BMW Sauber F1 Team Pit Lane Park in downtown Montreal

BMW's new pit lane park will be set up for 3 days right in the downtown area not far from Crescent St. In the past BMW has sponsored an "M night" festival downtown, featuring car displays, driver introductions and a fashion show.

Festival Mode & Design

Montreal has an active fashion industry and it takes advantage of the city hosting a big international sports event by putting on several days' of public fashion shows on outdoor stages in the downtown area. Not interested in fashion shows, you say? Look below and think again.

Ferrari Club of Quebec

Revving up for Grand Prix weekend

Peel St., also just a few blocks from Crescent, becomes the city's temporary car show venue for four days:

Peel St. parade of cars

Thursday: 40 Ferraris arrive under police escort at 5:30 p.m. and will be on display till midnight.

Friday: Lamborghinis are on display from 5:30 p.m. to midnight.

Saturday: North America Ferrari Club, with vintage and new cars, 5:30 p.m. to midnight.

Sunday: Quebec Porsche Club, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Bridgestone open house day

Bridestone sponsors a free open house day at the track on Thursday when anyone can walk through the pit area and view the teams preparing for the race (some teams are more cooperative than others).

Those are just some of the special events going on. Montreal also offers great bars and restaurants, great summer weather (usually), great girl watching (always) and an overall atmosphere of F1 fun that anyone can enjoy without even going to the track.

Montreal F1 week Fashion show

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