Staging a Grand Prix for the first time on an island in the St. Lawrence was an adventurous project in itself. To have Gilles Villeneuve, a boy from Quebec, score his first win -- in a Ferrari, no less -- raised the sense of occasion and excitement to an entirely new level. Throw in a Canadian-entered Wolf finishing second and the picture of immense national pride was complete.
Never mind that this was a freezing cold October day and the newly constructed track looked desolate in parts; the warmth generated by Montreal's first F1 race would ensure the future of an event that will be celebrating its 40th anniversary this weekend.