Bancroft Rally!

"chaozbandit" (chaozbandit)
01/19/2016 at 08:22 • Filed to: None

Watching this brings back good memories of my time at the rally 2 months ago. Definitely going back this year!

DISCUSSION (10)

gin-san - shitpost specialist > chaozbandit
01/19/2016 at 10:04

I forgot there was a Canadian Rally Championship. I see there’s one in Maniwaki which is a couple of hours away but I’m not sure I want to stand outside in early February weather. Ste-Agathe may work since the drive is only a bit longer and it’s in the fall.

I wonder if Canada will ever get a WRC round.

chaozbandit > gin-san - shitpost specialist
01/19/2016 at 12:32

Quebec has 3 events on the calendar so you have plenty to choose from lol the Defi round seems to be the most popular. I had to leave Bancroft early this year because it was freezing by the time the night stages arrived. It was a 3 hour drive one way for me. :/

I doubt we’ll get a WRC event simply due to location; if it counts for anything, we at least get ex-WRC machinery though I’ve only seen the Mini here. There’s also the Targa Newfoundland in September.

Debating on whether or not to go to FIA WRX in Montreal this year.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > chaozbandit
01/19/2016 at 12:51

I was really looking to go to a motorsport event but I can’t justify going to COTA or Le Mans due to the weak Canadian dollar. There’s one Quebec event which is east of Quebec City and basically in the Maritimes - I’m not interested in driving that far. The Maniwaki or Ste-Agathe rounds would be best, and likely the latter just because it’s in much warmer weather.

You’ve once again reminded me of something I’ve forgotten - I was really thinking of going to the Canadian Grand Prix but the grandstand I want to sit at is nearly $500 for a weekend. Rallycross might be a great alternative and I can probably convince my friends to check this one out since it’s more spectator-friendly. I see it's in Trois-Rivieres and not Montreal, so it's a bit further but not unreasonable.

chaozbandit > gin-san - shitpost specialist
01/19/2016 at 13:00

Haha yeah I went last year and can’t get myself to shell out $400 for tickets, plus $500 for hotels and another $100 for transit from Toronto. It was a good experience and a chance to see the new cars, but pit access and general spectator enjoyment is much, much more restricted and less enjoyable than something like rally or GT racing.

If you’re close to Trois-Rivieres, then it’s worth checking out the Canadian Touring Car Championship and Porsche GT3 Cup Canada rounds when they make their stop at GP3R. The Autodrome also hosts Formula Drift Canada if you’re into that.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > chaozbandit
01/19/2016 at 13:08

Looks like GP3R does a lot of neat events. Only other motorsport event I’ve been to in Canada was at Calabogie when they were doing the Porsche GT3 races there - it was fantastic since we were able to freely walk through the paddock area and see all the cars that were being prepped as well as when they line up to go out onto the track. I never realized the amount of support series as well, since we got to see the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series and some smaller open-wheel series as well. There was some really good racing going on - I’m in Ottawa so GP3R isn’t a short drive, but still reasonable.

If I do go to Montreal for the Grand Prix, I'll be staying with AirBNB - there's no way I'm shelling out for a hotel. However, you've given me a lot of cheaper alternatives to think about.

chaozbandit > gin-san - shitpost specialist
01/19/2016 at 17:30

Haha yeah, the entry fee that I paid for F1 could have given me entry to a dozen other events. If you’re in Ottawa, Mosport (CTMP) is also a viable option though I imagine it’s a tad further than something in Quebec. Major events would be victoria day speedfest in May (pirelli world challenge, CASCAR, porsche gt3 cup can) and mobil 1 sportscar grand prix in July (IMSA WTSCC, continental SCC, porsche gt3 cup usa).

The Canada Sport Compact Series (CSCS) is probably the cheapest way into motorsports; entry is only $20 and they make 2 stops at mosport among others (IIRC they also stop once at calabogie, but was cancelled last year). The machinery that turns up isn’t as impressive as the aforementioned events but you still get some neat stuff like Can-Jam’s time attack subaru specials (or their rally car), v8 swapped S14s, and an exhibition class that varies from event to event (I saw the first LB 458 in ontario debut here and tracked at TMP).

There’s also a car show going on at the same time as the road course event, with anything from street to stance filling up the entire lot. TMP also runs a drag racing event when CSCS stops buy, but Cayuga would be quite a drive for you lol.

Dusty Ventures > gin-san - shitpost specialist
01/19/2016 at 20:51

Canada used to have a WRC round back in the late 70's/early 80's

Dusty Ventures > chaozbandit
01/19/2016 at 20:52

I’m so bummed I missed Pines when they had such killer conditions

chaozbandit > Dusty Ventures
01/20/2016 at 07:59

That darn el nino lol come this year!

Dusty Ventures > chaozbandit
01/20/2016 at 08:31

I’m gonna try