Several friends and I attended the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix three years running: '96, '97 and '98, starting the year after Jacques Villeneuve won the Indy 500. He immediately challenged for the World Championship, winning pole in his first F1 race at Australia. The next year he won the title and the third tried unsuccessfully to defend it. What blast! Montreal was Villeneuve Central those years!
We bought a package from Grand Prix Tours International and had rooms at the Hotel InterContinental where several drivers were staying. We were treated to presentations hosted by the likes of Jackie Stewart, Johnny Herbert and Gerhard Berger. Lots of great food, open bar... the whole nine, for three days.
My parents didn't drive and I grew up riding the Boston subway system so the idea of taking a train to the track and emerging to the sounds of screaming V10s was disorienting in a delightful way!
One night we ate at what a reviewer called most the expensive seafood restaurant in the city, where Al Pacino and his posse sat across the room.
Mid-forties, facing divorce, Monaco in my sights for my next adventure... Funny, things kind of stalled out after that, although I do get to enjoy the IndyCar and IMSA races here in Central Florida each year as a consolation prize. And I've got those great memories!
I am green with envy! That hometown crowd must have been a riot. Montreal is a race town and the fans are extremely passionate.
I’m on the left coast but have had the super good fortune to attend the Canadian GP many times, although regrettably not during Jacques’ era. Saw him race Busch cars in Montreal though. He worked his way to the front in a field of veterans and young new talent, and led for a good chunk of the race before something happened. Can’t remember what exactly, but I think he still finished pretty strong. What a hoot, he’s fun to watch and very good with whatever equipment he jumps into. Also saw him at the Vancouver Molson Indy ‘94 & ‘95.
You mention Melbourne ‘96 and I immediately picture Hill’s Williams and helmet spray painted black with teammate Jacques’ leaking fluids that ultimately denied him of a debut win.
I'll watch this later on in the week. Thank you!
I stumbled upon the Austin race on Velocity and watched some of it. Fairly entertaining racing!
Velocity used to carry a lot of racing. I thought it was only available in Canada these days.
Yep, I’m a Canuck
Several friends and I attended the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix three years running: '96, '97 and '98, starting the year after Jacques Villeneuve won the Indy 500. He immediately challenged for the World Championship, winning pole in his first F1 race at Australia. The next year he won the title and the third tried unsuccessfully to defend it. What blast! Montreal was Villeneuve Central those years!
We bought a package from Grand Prix Tours International and had rooms at the Hotel InterContinental where several drivers were staying. We were treated to presentations hosted by the likes of Jackie Stewart, Johnny Herbert and Gerhard Berger. Lots of great food, open bar... the whole nine, for three days.
My parents didn't drive and I grew up riding the Boston subway system so the idea of taking a train to the track and emerging to the sounds of screaming V10s was disorienting in a delightful way!
One night we ate at what a reviewer called most the expensive seafood restaurant in the city, where Al Pacino and his posse sat across the room.
Mid-forties, facing divorce, Monaco in my sights for my next adventure... Funny, things kind of stalled out after that, although I do get to enjoy the IndyCar and IMSA races here in Central Florida each year as a consolation prize. And I've got those great memories!
https://www.gptours.com
I am green with envy! That hometown crowd must have been a riot. Montreal is a race town and the fans are extremely passionate.
I’m on the left coast but have had the super good fortune to attend the Canadian GP many times, although regrettably not during Jacques’ era. Saw him race Busch cars in Montreal though. He worked his way to the front in a field of veterans and young new talent, and led for a good chunk of the race before something happened. Can’t remember what exactly, but I think he still finished pretty strong. What a hoot, he’s fun to watch and very good with whatever equipment he jumps into. Also saw him at the Vancouver Molson Indy ‘94 & ‘95.
You mention Melbourne ‘96 and I immediately picture Hill’s Williams and helmet spray painted black with teammate Jacques’ leaking fluids that ultimately denied him of a debut win.
Ahha! Lucky you! In many ways! 🤣