Sunday June 15th, 2003

All Around The World
Michelin motorsport director Pierre Dupasquier had a difficult choice this weekend because of his company's involvement in all sorts of racing activities. Dupasquier was offered the choice of four events in four different countries to attend as Michelin tried to win on all four fronts. The world-famous Le Mans 24 Hours, taking place in France, the MotoGP series in Barcelona, Spain, and the Superbike World Championship, at Silverstone in England, were all on the list of events for Dupasquier to attend, but he chose to head out to Montreal to watch his tyre partners in the Formula One race.

"I could have attended any of the events," said Dupasquier. "But I have come to Canada because Formula One remains our newest challenge." His delight was difficult to conceal after Michelin-shod Williams-BMW pair Ralf Schumacher and Juan Pablo Montoya claimed a front-row lockout at the Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve, and he added: "This is the domain in which we still have most to learn and, as we have seen, we appear to be making progress."

One Track Drive
The secret of why the Montreal circuit is so tricky to set cars up on was revealed on Saturday night - when the track was opened to traffic from the circuit to work as an exit road and trucks heading around the racing line dragged dust along with them. A jaunt around the circuit in an RV, however, presents an interesting perspective on the challenges that face the drivers and also displays the impressive scenery that they would be able to see if they had the chance.

The track, which snakes around a tree-filled park and beside the picturesque waterside, is incredibly tight in certain areas, almost doubling back on itself at certain points, while the hairpin at the far end of the circuit is as tight as they come. Advertising hoardings, particularly from Honda and Orange, sit right beside the track and are bright and distracting even at slow speeds and there is little room for error in many areas of the circuit...and it is easy to form an even greater respect for the drivers that race around the track.

Auction
An auction held at a spectacular Grand Prix Tours event at the Intercontinental Hotel in downtown Montreal raised plenty of money for the Northampton Intensive Care Unit on Saturday night. Crowds of around 500 tour members gathered to watch television commentator James Allen and his stage guests, including Jordan driver Ralph Firman, before some dipped into their pockets to gain a piece of exclusive motor racing memorabilia. The first item, a signed Mark Webber photograph, went for an impressive $600 (USD). Impressive, that is, until five-time World Champion Michael Schumacher's signed photo went for double the value.

The Ferrari legend's trainers were also up for sale, also signed, and they fetched $700 (USD), while the signed overalls of Webber's teammate Antonio Pizzonia, still a Formula One rookie, went for an amazing $800 (USD) and a Sauber endplate, signed by both Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Nick Heidfeld, went for $500 (USD). Several items of Gilles Villeneuve memorabilia were auctioned off to the eager audience and although a unique caricature doll of the late Canadian star failed to fetch the required price a painting of him went for $750 (USD).

After the auction and an hour-and-a-half of interesting presentations, including drinks and a buffet, guests milled around the expansive hotel, where Gilles Villeneuve's Canadian Grand Prix winning car was on display. A simulator offered the experience of being in a Formula One machine while other memorabilia, including fantastic paintings and one-off models, gave them the opportunity to purchase a memory of their trip.

Missing Marmots
The Canadian Grand Prix marmots were still in attendance at the Circuit de Gilles Villeneuve this weekend despite extensive efforts to rid the circuit of the little animals for their own safety. The danger of a car hitting a marmot comes in two folds, one for the marmot, who is certain to be killed in an impact, and secondly for the driver, who could easily lose control and be pitched off into a barrier.

For these reasons, the organisers made great efforts to remove the creatures and place them elsewhere in the park...but it obviously did not work because one was spotted lazing by the road on the way to the circuit on race day morning.

Published at 16:25:21 GMT

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(03-11-2005): Australian GP Paddock Gossip (03-09-2005): Greece Finds Site for Formula One Track (03-09-2005): Red Bull Set to Get Honda Engines in 2006 (03-08-2005): Schumacher in Line for Sporting Oscars (03-07-2005): Daily Grapevine Sunday Analysis - Australia

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