Montreal Musings...

Montreal Musings...

 
ISF writer Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett standing in the gravel trap at the Casino Hairpin on circuit Gil Villenueve in Montreal for the 2005 Canadian Grand Prix

In 2005 I paid my first visit to Montreal. Since the Canadian Grand Prix was just held, I thought it appropriate to publish this article from my first visit to what many people call North America's true European city.
Like all cities there are some good and bad things. If you are planning to go to Montreal soon, especially for the F1 grand prix, here are a few things to keep in mind.

First the bad:
-Montreal is a very old, tired city that seems to want to have people come to it
because "it is Montreal."
-A city's life comes from its people. Montreal’s people don't seem to have any life in them. There is no zip, no pep, and no vibe coming from them. They seem to be involved in their own world and that is about it.
-Be prepared to walk a lot. If you ask where something is, everything is "2-3 minutes walk." Canadians must walk very fast because quite often that 2-3 minutes means 2-3 MILES away.
If they say "2-3" blocks away that can also mean 2-3 MILES away so give yourself extra time to get somewhere.
 
 
-It is a very dirty city. Other cities in Canada like Vancouver and Toronto are known for their cleanliness.
Montreal can't be one of them. Granted the part of town I stayed in this time could be best compared to a college area in town like Madison, or perhaps the
"fashionable east side" of Milwaukee, however there was trash and graffiti everywhere!
-Even if the trash wasn’t of the tin can variety, it was leaf litter, dirty streets, unpicked up dog poo, and crumbling buildings.
-The city stinks...literally. There is an odor of trash and sweaty bodies everywhere. Speaking of which...
-A lot of people do not use deodorant. One of my definitions of hell is to be trapped on a closed subway car on a hot humid day with a bunch of sweaty smelly Montreal natives.


-If you have hemorrhoids, be warned that the streets are VERY bumpy and full of holes.
The roads in Illinois are smooth compared to these.
-Montreal is an island surrounded by the rivers that make up the St. Lawrence Seaway. One might think that would mean
that the water would keep things cooler...it doesn't!
-It is hot! Mid to high 90's every day with high humidity.

Now some nice things to say:
-The food is good. Montreal has the most restaurants per capita of anywhere in the world.
-Prices are a little higher but not much and the portions make up for it.
-There is a wide variety of people in Montreal. Everyone knows about the French and English, however there are also distinct ethnic neighborhoods of Jewish, Greek, Italian, Chinese, and Indian neighborhoods.
-There are some nice people. Usually if they’re speaking English as a primary language they are nice to other English speakers. As a general rule if they are nice to you, that is because they are usually not from Montreal originally, most likely they are a Toronto native.
-If you speak French they will love you and you will get treated on a level of politeness above those of us who just speak English. If you speak "real French" and not "American French" you're treated even better. If all you speak is English and you're talking to a native Montreal French speaker, you are taking a chance of getting accurate directions, service, or information.
-The public transportation system is good. Buses and subways are used by a lot of people.

As for the race:-Don't bother with general admission tickets. Unlike Indy, you won't see much as evidenced by the following photos:

This is NOT a line for the bathroom. It is a view from general admission seating!


-There is lots of team merchandise, far more so than other F1 events, however not as much other memorabilia like die-cast, books, and posters.
-If possible, sit in the Casino Hairpin. There is usually a lot of action there. Avoid grandstand 22. You are close to the cars and can see the start of passes, but you don't see the hairpin.

 View from stand #22

Be prepared to pay for a higher price them.
-The event sells out every year. If you need tickets, try ordering them in February or March.
-If you can't order early, the scalpers are pretty fair and give you a good deal for the most part if you buy them on Saturday.
-F1 engines are still one of the great sounds of the world
-It is a beautiful park where the race is held
-If you get a chance, hit the casino. It is in the middle of the park.
but don't stay on the main floor; go to the upper or lower floors to see all the games then pick where you want to go.


-There are only two bridges that cross to the track (the track is on its own island) so be prepared to face crowds
-Sit in a grand stand to see any of the action. No matter where you sit you are usually pretty close to the track compared to most race tracks.
-Always stay to the left when dealing with crowds on the way out of the track.
You'll see what I mean

 
-The fans at Montreal don't carry as many flags or get as dressed up in costume as in Indy. Maybe it is the fact that everyone has to arrive by subway and doesn't want to carry everything.

Random Musings:-In the Detroit airport there was the actor Sinbad.
-In Detroit on the way home I met Patrick Carpantier who was going to Montreal to go home.
-While waiting in Montreal, my wife and I decided to go to Starbucks. While waiting a bunch of the Ferrari mechanics and engineers came and ordered as well! They looked pretty cool in their travelling uniforms and sportcoats, and all complained about needing a "real" cup of coffee and corrected the barista each time that it is called "espresso" and not "expresso."
I was able to talk to them and recognized a few from TV.

Someday Ferrari will be cheered again after a victory... 

Into Turn four...

Steve "The Wrench" Ratchett

Ken Dibb Memorial

The ISF is saddened by the loss of rookie Ken Dibb. 
We all didn't know Ken well, he made his first ISF start this year, however we share our sadness with John and Mike who knew him well.
Our sympathies to his family and his son, 2 time ISF starter Mike Dibb.

All of us at ISF