Monaco GP - which Grandstand/Corner would you choose?

RussianFriend · 25 Mar 2008, 18:49 (Ref:2161380)

If you go to Monaco GP, where would you choose to seat...
I just think about going there this Spring... What would be your choice?
Has anybody of you been there? Your recommendations?

Knowlesy · 25 Mar 2008, 18:54 (Ref:2161388)

I think I'd probably choose 'Tabac' or 'Swimming Pool'.

mjstallard · 25 Mar 2008, 19:00 (Ref:2161390)

Well you don't have to worry about seeking out the overtaking points on the circuit

I'd love to see the cars bombing it through the Swimming Pool complex (I remember seeing some fantastic twitching from the McLaren's during the TV coverage of last year's race) and also there's also the classic Loew's Hairpin (or as it's now called, the Grand Hotel Hairpin).

Perhaps the best views are from the tops of the tall buildings in Monaco - must cost a fortune to get up there though...

Sodemo · 25 Mar 2008, 19:08 (Ref:2161394)

Like Knowlesy I think I would have to go Tabac or Swimming Pool section.

djinvicta · 25 Mar 2008, 19:09 (Ref:2161395)

Casino Square Grandstand. Its easy to get to from the Rail Station, and if your bum goes numb you can go down and wander the gardens below on your own, because the whole gardens are closed off from the general public.
The noise, speed and closeness of the cars as they enter the Square is awesome, and you can see them over the bump to Mirabeau. There is also a large TV screen in front of the Grandstand.
You also avoid the scrum at the end as its relatively easy and quiet to get back to the station. Have a great day!

matchfacts · 25 Mar 2008, 19:18 (Ref:2161401)

If you get there a few days early, it's possible to walk around and get tickets for yachts(!), cafes or restaurants around the track. I went to Cafe de Paris at the Casino. It's a great atmosphere but not a great view. You get a three course meal just before the race, the cars pass only metres away and there are plenty of screens.

If I was to go for an official stand I'd probably choose the swimming pool (stands n, o, or p) or chicane (stand e). If going for an official stand I'd also recommend getting the tickets direct from Automobile club de Monaco www.acm.mc.

mjstallard · 25 Mar 2008, 19:30 (Ref:2161402)

Out of interest, what sort of budget have people done Monaco on before? I remember reading an article where a journalist did it dirt cheap (invovling sleeping on night trains, etc)...I imagine the hotels in Monaco aren't the cheapest!

Ralf's Girl · 25 Mar 2008, 19:52 (Ref:2161416)

I'd have to go for the Swimming Pool - I'd love to see the cars coming down there out of the tunnel.

ralf fan · 25 Mar 2008, 20:01 (Ref:2161427)

Helpful Tip:
Rascasse has some good parking spots if you are having trouble finding one.

Hugh Jarce · 25 Mar 2008, 20:02 (Ref:2161428)

We went high up in the stands just down from Tabac. It was good as you could just see them come out of the tunnel almost right round to the Swimming Pool. Then they made you poo your pants as they went really close back up behind you to Sainte Devote.

Having said all that, be prepared to spend loads of money. We stayed near Nice and got the train in but still spent over £800 for the weekend. And, that was booking way ahead for cheap flights and with a flipping packed lunch on the day while the silly rich people on the boats opposite ate caviar.

But, its one of those events you have to do at least once in your life - and I will go again.

mjstallard · 25 Mar 2008, 20:05 (Ref:2161433)

Ouch, £800? I'll leave it a few years before doing that one

I'm doing Monza for around £450ish this year. Can't wait either!

olly83 · 25 Mar 2008, 20:50 (Ref:2161474)

I sat at Casino square in 2005. Pretty good view, I was close to the front. There's a big screen straight in front of you and you often get to see some interesting moments as people run wide on the entrance.

RussianFriend · 25 Mar 2008, 21:01 (Ref:2161483)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Jarce

We went high up in the stands just down from Tabac. It was good as you could just see them come out of the tunnel almost right round to the Swimming Pool. Then they made you poo your pants as they went really close back up behind you to Sainte Devote.

Having said all that, be prepared to spend loads of money. We stayed near Nice and got the train in but still spent over £800 for the weekend. And, that was booking way ahead for cheap flights and with a flipping packed lunch on the day while the silly rich people on the boats opposite ate caviar.

But, its one of those events you have to do at least once in your life - and I will go again.

Hugh, thanks a lot... and thanks to all others. I also keen to stay next to sweeming pool if everything goes ok. Frequent flyer free tickets make life more easy.

i'm also going to stay in Nice...

Hugh Jarce · 25 Mar 2008, 22:10 (Ref:2161573)

Quote:

Originally Posted by olly83

I sat at Casino square in 2005. Pretty good view, I was close to the front. There's a big screen straight in front of you and you often get to see some interesting moments as people run wide on the entrance.

Olly - that's a good point - the big screens are a must. We had a big one up on the hill towards the tunnel.

Most of the ticket sites have the position of the screens - if not just ask a nurse! (Sorry - Carry On joke that will never translate across cultures)

roachy101 · 25 Mar 2008, 22:19 (Ref:2161586)

mine would either be at casion watching them go through there or i'd go at the nouvelle chicane as it's one of the only overtaking spots on the circuit

mac · 25 Mar 2008, 22:25 (Ref:2161590)

First choice would have to be the swimming pool, then casino square.

Sheila M · 25 Mar 2008, 23:10 (Ref:2161635)

I went to Monaco in 1990ish.

For qualifying I was in the grandstand to the left of the swimming pool (great view of cars coming out of the tunnel).

On race day I was in a "floating" grandstand opposite the swimming pool. Great views from there too.

The trip was done with Page & Moy (by bus) using hotels in Nice which are much cheaper than those in Monaco itself.

matchfacts · 26 Mar 2008, 12:45 (Ref:2162007)

I stayed in Nice in a cheap but clean hotel. Flew to Marseille then hired a car to drive along the coast - much cheaper than flying to Nice at GP time. That was 2004 and the whole weekend cost around £400 plus race tickets for two of us. Not bad for Monaco.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjstallard

I'm doing Monza for around £450ish this year. Can't wait either!

I did Monza in September. Fantastic experience. Different to both Monaco and Barcelona, that I've been to previously, and probably the best organised in terms of getting to and from the circuit.

CaptainRandom · 26 Mar 2008, 21:36 (Ref:2162444)

Does anyone have any experience with Secteur Rocher? I'll be backpacking Europe for two months and think that I might make the GP a highlight, but grandstands are way too expensive.

I'll probably try to book a hostel in Nice or nearby Italy almost right away. Does anyone have any specific tips for negotiating the crowds on Sunday and nabbing a good spot?

CaptainRandom · 26 Mar 2008, 21:45 (Ref:2162454)

Oh, and what's a reputable site with the best ticket deals? Is the Formula 1 website pretty much as good as anything?

matchfacts · 27 Mar 2008, 09:41 (Ref:2162819)

People will go to Rocher days in advance and start chaining chairs to trees and put up tents to try and claim an area. Not sure how that's policed.

I know people who have enjoyed the experience there, but if it's busy I would imagine it could be annoying.

I'd always recommend getting tickets direct from the circuit or organiser. For Monaco go to www.acm.mc

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