MONTREAL—Thousands on Friday walked the closed off streets of Montreal for the LG Crescent Grand Prix Festival that is taking place between Friday and Sunday. The city is host to the eighth Formula One Grand Prix (GP) of the year this weekend. The actual race will be run Sunday at noon.
Known as one of Montreal’s most vibrant streets at night, Crescent Street was jam-packed with sports cars, promotional booths, and activities.
Known as one of Montreal’s most vibrant streets at night, Crescent Street was jam-packed with sports cars, promotional booths, and activities.
The Ford Pit Challenge gave people a feel of what it is like to change tires on a race car. While professionals on average complete the operation in four seconds, most festival goers took more than 10 seconds to change a tire. The record time was 8.08 seconds by the time of writing.
The Gilles Villeneuve Museum was showcasing an exhibit in honor of the Canadian F1 racer who died in 1982 during the final qualifying session of the Belgian GP at Zolder. From Berthierville, Quebec to Maranello, Italy, the home of Ferrari, the exhibition told in pictures and pieces of equipment the life of the man who Enzo Ferrari considered a son.
Bob Chaplin, Vice President Operations at Fastco, said his custom wheels, tires, and accessories company was hoping to get its name out by participating in the LG Crescent Grand Prix Festival and displaying Chaplin’s own 2007 Mustang Boss GT as well as customs rims.
“We’re trying to get exposure,” he said, and with the great turnout and weather, the experience was positive so far.
The Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal attracts tourists from all around the world. Some, like the Avila family from Mexico, are regulars.
“Last year, the Canadian GP didn’t happen, so we went to [the one in] Sao Paolo, Brazil. That city doesn’t celebrate the GP in the same way,” said Ms. Avila. “We’re glad to be back!” added her husband.
The Canadian Grand Prix had been dropped for the first time since 1987 from the 2009 Formula One Calendar. The first Canadian GP to take place in Montreal was in 1978 and was won by Gilles Villeneuve. The circuit was named in his honor upon his death when it was renamed Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in 1982.
Five hundred thousand festival goers are expected to take part in activities related to the Grand Prix Weekend.
The qualification sessions take place on Saturday at 1:00pm local time, and the race will begin at noon on Sunday.
Friends Read Free