26 times Austin Healey on the Montreal GP circuit
06/19/2011
Every year at the Canadian GP, 26 Austin Healeys are used to chauffeur the 24 Grand Prix drivers around the track for the "Driver's Parade". Two cars serve as substitutes. It does happen from time to time that a car has to end the wait or the slow drive with smoke signals.
On other routes, the parade is usually done with an articulated truck or an open bus. Only a few routes are so proactive in offering classic cars. Not all countries probably have enough cars, and there is also the problem that an Alonso is not allowed to show up in a Porsche or a Schumacher in a BMW. There are no contractual or sponsorship problems with the Healeys.
For the spectators in the grandstands, the individual convertibles make much more sense than an open-top bus with all 24 drivers in a heap. The oldies drive the drivers around the track in reverse starting order. Timo Glock started the race this time and Sebastian Vettel finished it off.
The car owners always show their enthusiasm everywhere and are equipped with waterproof pens and photos. In most cases, the cars are signed directly. After all, who owns a Healey with an original autograph from Vettel, Schumacher, Hamilton or Alonso!
