[MEmini]

Several of us MINI enthusiasts from the States are coming to Montreal in June for the Gran Prix. Somewhere I read about a MINI parade down St. Catherine street the night before? Is anything happening this year?

[Silvercooper]

Hi MEmini!

The dealers confirmed not to long ago that the MINI night on Peel street is still planned for the Friday night during the GrandPrix weekend in Montreal. They are closing Peel street (between St-Catherine and Maisoneuve) and only MINIs are allowed to park. Last year we were close to a hundred cars!!!

Hope to see you there!!

[rawk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Silvercooper

Hope to see you there!!

No rain this year, please...last year was magnificent but 2003 was a wash that night.

...sorry for the shaky quality...it was very wet and very cold that evening.

[GBMINI]

Thanks Diane for sending me the link

Hello Canada!

So how do you get a road closed for ONLY MINIs? What about only Ferraris, or only BMWs or ... I mean, we know MINIs are special but why the recognition from others? Does the dealership own the street or something? Or is there one closed off street for every brand of car?
Maybe that last one's not a bad idea ...


Now even sure if I will be heading up in GBMINI (shock!) or if Margaret will want her Audi. Either way, this sounds like a very cool thing to do in the evening ...

[rawk]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI

So how do you get a road closed for ONLY MINIs? What about only Ferraris, or only BMWs or ...

Friday night is traditionally (last three years traditionally) for MINIs on rue Peel...Saturday night the street becomes BMWs...driver and team interview stage, jumbotron screen, music, Williams BMW show cars, etc....so it's obviously something that BMW pays for.

Rue Crescent is BAR Honda several blocks away....it'a a party all weekend downtown!

Latest NEWS FLASH:

The Grand Prix of Canada is pleased to announce that following the eighth round of the Formula 1 World Championship on June 12, internationally acclaimed Montreal band Simple Plan will perform on a special stage in the hairpin of the east portion of the circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. In addition to soaking up the early summer sun and the pleasant surroundings, the public has yet another reason to prolong their day on Ile Notre Dame.

[MEmini]

Quote: Originally Posted by rawk

.it'a a party all weekend downtown!.

Thanks for your reply. That's exactly what I wanted to know!!!!
Hope to see you there.

[rawk]

A few pics from Friday night last year...

[MEmini]

In August MINIs are racing at Tois Rivers. Is anyone from there (here) planning to go? Do you know if they also race at Mt. Tremblant. Saw my first Mini race there decades ago.

[GBMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by Silvercooper

The dealers confirmed not to long ago ...

Do we need to contact the dealer to "register" a MINI, or get a pass or anything like that, or just show up on the night?
Is there a schedule & directions anywhere?

[Silvercooper]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI

Do we need to contact the dealer to "register" a MINI, or get a pass or anything like that, or just show up on the night?
Is there a schedule & directions anywhere?

Hi GBMINI!

Invitations are not sent out yet, you need to contact the dealers from the Montreal region (MINI Laval, MINI Mount-Royal or MINI Brossard) in order to register for the dinner at ALEXANDRE on Peel street. If I remember correctly it was about $80 CAN ($67 US) per person. Or, you can simply show up and they open the gate to all MINIs. I presume invitations will be sent out in May. Don't worry I will keep you guys informed!

The street is usually closed on Friday around 5:00pm up until late at night, approx 1:00am. Peel street is right in center downtown Montreal. That Grand Prix weekend is a real festival in Montreal, it's a very nice experience if you are a Formula 1 fan.

[MiniByblos]

Damn! Just found out that I'll be away on business the week before GP and only flying back into MTL at 11PM friday night. Anyone know untill what time they'll be allowing MINI's in?

[MGB Boy]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI

Thanks Diane for sending me the link

Hello Canada!

So how do you get a road closed for ONLY MINIs? What about only Ferraris, or only BMWs or ... I mean, we know MINIs are special but why the recognition from others? Does the dealership own the street or something? Or is there one closed off street for every brand of car?
.

You're on the right track with that last comment. When the GP takes over, major manufacturers set up massive PR boondoggles all over the place. BMW shuts down a street, Honda shuts down a street (and has a band, too), I recall driving by a park/plaza type area that was taken over by McLaren Mercedes, etc. Bear in mind these aren't big main thoroughfares, they shut down blocks between a couple main roads (i.e. Honda usually takes Crescent Street between Ste Catherine and De Maisonneuve). Peel is shut down all weekend for BMW. For a Boston frame of reference, think in terms of closing off Gloucester St between Commonwealth and Newbury, that sort of thing. A bit of a minor disruption, but not a major artery.

Not sure if I'll be up there Friday night, haven't quite worked out the plans yet. I know I only have a room booked for Saturday night. It's about 90 minutes to Montreal from here...

-Ricardo

[MiniAdventurer]

OMG i bet that looked amazing when i was in montreal i saw my first MINI for 3 months, i was very happy but i can't imagine a whole street closed off for MINIs...

now, who am i supposed to question about the fact that i saw ONE MINI in tremblant in 3 months? don't any of you ski???

[MEmini]

Thanks all!

This sounds like fun. I haven't been to an F1 race in Montreal in a while and none of this was going on then...Will be there Friday night for sure. Keep us posted.

I also saw my first MINI in Canada on the TransCanada west of Montreal, a whole year before we got them in the States.


Is it time to leave yet? Guess the race in a week will have to do. Just knowing we are coming to Montreal makes it more exciting!

[snid]

I have some non-MINI-owning car nut friends who are also talking about making plans for heading up to the Gran Prix, so I'll have to balance that with the MINI stuff. But, it does actually look like I'll be there this year.

[GBMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by snid

I have some non-MINI-owning car nut friends who are also talking about making plans for heading up to the Gran Prix, so I'll have to balance that with the MINI stuff. But, it does actually look like I'll be there this year.

Jason, do you have a ticket? Because Gavin is pulling out and looking to sell his ticket.

[MEmini]

Haven't heard from you all in a while .....




With the European GP this weekend, Canada is not far off...any firm plans for Friday night? Do we register anywhere?

[Silvercooper]

I haven't received the invitation from my dealer yet, they are usually at the last minute!

Here is what I found on mini.ca

http://www.mini.ca/en/More_MINI/Events/default.aspx

See you there!!
Marc

[snid]

I'm not going to be heading to Montreal. The sports car club of Vermont has track days that weekend, so I'm doing that instead.

[rawk]

I know that it's too soon to be believing the forecasters, but this today from F1-Live:

This weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix could be hit by heavy rain according to the latest weather forecasts from The Weather Channel.

While the build up to Friday practice is predicted to be sunny and dry, there remains a chance that all three days of on track action could be hit by rain.

Storms are predicted in the area with a 30 percent chance of them hitting Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Other forecasts predict up to a 90 percent chance of rain on race day.

Should the Canadian Grand Prix prove to be a wet event, Ferrari in particular are expected to make best of the conditions as historically Bridgestone hold the upper hand in such conditions.



Last week at Silverstone testing, rain on Wednesday saw BAR Honda, Toyota and Renault cancel their day of running.

...so don't forget the rain gear...