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2006 




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16 juin  2008
With Jacques Villeneuve as instructor…
The Karting Summer Camps of the museum, an unique experience!

The Summer Camps of Karting for young of the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum... a great way to start motor sport!

The camps, for the young boys and girls between 11 to 16 years old, let the young get closer with the motor sports under the instructions of the unique Jacques Villeneuve, brother of the legendary Gilles Villeneuve. A unique way to get pro's advices! Through the years, Jacques droves in many series (Formula Atlantic, Indy Car, Formula 1...) and won many championship in snowmobile. He helps the museum's camps from the very beginning... for the good of the participants!


Everything is included... even a Wave Pool!

There are about ten kids by camps. The programme includes also a guided visit of the museum for all the family and a visit of the racing facilities of Jacques Villeneuve. The young drivers sleep at the Days Inn, located at a few minute from the museum. The meals and transport to the track are also included. The kids drive for two very loaded days on the Trois-Rivières karting track, located at Pointe-Du-Lac. The kids will also swim in the all new Wave Pool of the Camping H20, neighbor of the race track.

Four camps are planned in 2008. There are still few places for every camps. The first will be on the next July 6-7-8. Then, an other is planned on July 13-14-15. Two more camps are in August : on the 10-11-12 ans 18-19-20.

Through the years, many yound boys and girls have participated to the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum's Supper Karting Camps. They all took advantage of Jacques Villeneuve advices and knowledge. They all lived an extraordinary experience! Many of them came back for a second or even a third time!


For more information, or to fill a form, call the 1-800-639-0103 or click on the picture!



June 12, 2008
Golf Tournament.... Thank You ! 

The annual Golf  Tournament of the Gilles-Villeneuve museum, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce Berthier / D'Autray, was a real success on last wednesday, June 4.

About 120 golfers took the start of the beautiful golf course of the Berthierville Club. Among them, Jacques Villeneuve, brother of the legendary Gilles Villeneuve. Joannie Rochette, from the Ile Dupas, four times the Canadian Champion of figure skating, and Steve Diamond, now resident of the Berthierville's region, join the group for the dinner.

From Belgium, arrived a couple of days before, Philippe Graton, from the Editions Graton, came to present the new album from the famous european serie Michel Vaillant totally about Gilles Villeneuve.

The golf and the auction later in the evening, gave to the museum financing campaign about 5 000$ !

Thanks to all the sponsors of the event : : la Boucherie Jacques Forget, le Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, le karting Trois-Rivières, Camping H20 Kart-O-Mania, les Trophées JLM, la Fédération du sport automobile du Québec, le Spa Natur’Eau, la SAQ, Benoit Bellerose Case HI, la municipalité de Saint-Ignace, Miniature Plus, Savico, Photo SGC.com, Gestion Perro, le Bloc Québécois, Michel Desmarais CA et de F. Thériault inc. 

Also, thank you a lot for the nice greeting from the new owners of the Golf Club and their employees.

Aux amateurs de golf, aux amis du musée Gilles-Villeneuve, ainsi qu’aux partenaires de l’événement, MERCI… et à l’an prochain! 

En terminant, nous vous invitons à parcourir notre galerie de photos…





June 2, 2008

Death of Mme Georgette Villeneuve...



Photo de la famille Villeneuve, avec Séville et Georgette, parents de Gilles,  lors du Grand Prix
du Canada de 1978. Photo Gaetan Savignac.

May 29, 2008

Open House Day this Sunday!

The Gilles-Villeneuve Museum celebrates its 20th anniversary…

The Gilles-Villeneuve Museum celebrates its 20 years of living and for this event, invites every fans of motor racing to discover the museum’s new exhibitions at the Open House, this Sunday, June 1st.

From 9am to 5pm, everybody is invited to visit the museum free, living again the feats of Gilles Villeneuve, looking at the new exhibitions such as ‘Fans of Gilles’ which expose many collections pieces belonging to fans of the legendary driver and only at the museum for a short moment!

World Launch!

At 1 pm, people present at the museum will assist to the World Launch of the last album of the Michel Vaillant collection, a documentary about Gilles Villeneuve. Produced in collaboration with the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum, this album put together amazing pictures, drawing, texts and even comic book pages.

Philippe Graton, writer and editor of the album, will be present at the museum, in company of Xavier Chimits, author of the texts and F1 Journalist (having interviewed Gilles Villeneuve many times). Jacques Villeneuve, brother of Gilles, will be also present at the launch ceremony.

It will be possible to buy the album at the museum’s boutique.

A new exhibition called Gilles Villeneuve / Michel Vaillant, will also be inaugurated at the museum showing many images of the Michel Vaillant series where Gilles Villeneuve is racing.

The Gilles-Villeneuve museum will also take the opportunity of the Open House day to proceed at the launch of a new collection of items from in link with the Museum and career of Gilles-Villeneuve: hats, t-shirts, die cast models, shirts…

In conclusion, every visitor that will come to the museum on Sunday will receive their beautiful picture book produced by the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum. The 28 pages document, full color, commemorate the 20th anniversary of the establishment with more than 40 amazing pictures of the champion and is a gift to every people who support the museum and its crew since the beginning!



May 8, 2008

For its 20th anniversary...
Important work on the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum's site

The Berthierville Gilles-Villeneuve Museum celebrates in 2008 its 20th anniversary. For this day of celebration, the museum's direction announce important construction work on the exterior site of the establishment and start an important financing campaign to help the management's efforts to pursue their mission, to perpetuate the memory of Gilles Villeneuve through the years, the generations.

The museum, situated in the town where the champion racing driver grew up, has open its doors to welcome its first visitors in 1988, in the ancient post bureau of Berthierville. In 1994, the museum moved in the actual place, on the Gilles-Villeneuve avenue, still in Berthierville but closer to highway 40. Near 250 000 visitors from about thirty countries have already visited the museum.

Renewal

The work project announced will mark an important renewal for the museum. First, the real size bronze statue of Gilles Villeneuve will be moved from a municipal park to the museum's site. Then, the entrance of the museum’s parking will be restructured as if visitors would be on a race track. A new and immense metal structure will be built looking like a paddock entrance. And finally, a full equipped RV area will be organised on the museum’s side.

Inside the museum, a new exhibit, emphasizing the 20th anniversary of the museum, will be reveal to the public on next June 1st, at our Open Doors!

Racing fans are invited to help the organism pursuing its mission by becoming a museum's member! The form is available on our web site. The museum's direction wants to reach the 20 000$ for the 20 years of the establishment!

The museum is open every day, from 9am to 5pm. For more information, call the 1-800-639-0103 or the 450-836-2714.

April 8, 2008



Fans of racing… get ready for golf!

Fans of automobile racing and friends of the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum, inscribe yourself right now to the next edition of the Golf Tournament in memory of Gilles Villeneuve. Organised in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce Berthier / D'Autray and the city of Berthierville, this event take places in the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the museum!

Yes, since 20 years now, volunteers and employees of the Gilles-Villeneuve museum put their efforts in common to pursue the mission of perpetuating the memory of the champion through the years and the generations.

The invitation is given...

                        Wednesday, June 4 2008

                        At the Berthierville Golf Club

                        As a Shotgun form

                        Start at 11h30

                        Supper under a marquee

                       With  Joannie Rochette, four times Figure Skating Canadian Champion, pride of                                                    the region

                       Also special guests : Philippe Graton, editor of the Michel Vaillant Albums, and Xavier                                                 Chimits, author of the special documentary Gilles Villeneuve with this editor.

                        Animation, auctions and prizes...

If you desire to have fun in good company and to help the 2008 financing campaign of the Gilles-Villeneuve museum, take part of this very special event!

Reserve your place or foursome right now : 450-836-2714 or 1-800-639-0103

See you on June 4 on the Berthierville greens!



March 19, 2008

Purchase One of Gilles Villeneuve’s Ferrari … …

The Gilles-Villeneuve Museum offers you the opportunity to purchase a Ferrari driven by Gilles Villeneuve…  One of his red F1 with the famous horse in front… And you even have a choice of several models!

Now, by phoning us, the racing fan can get his hands on a Ferrari 126CK Turbo, tested at Monza in 1981 or even that same car driven at the Canadian Gran Prix of 81 when Gilles lost its front wing… But hurry, quantities are limited.

Another lucky one could leave with leave with the Ferrari 126CK turbo witch Gilles race against a Jet from the Italian army.  A confrontation won by the pilot of the Scuderia, to the enjoyment of all fans.

The museum is now offering at a very good price these F1s of Gilles Villeneuve… replicas on a scale of 1:43.

Limited Editions or regular models, never the Gilles-Villeneuve museum had some many Ferrari for sale. To have your own, call 1-800-639-0103.

March 19, 2008

See Jacques racing at the 24 hours of Le Mans …

Grand Prix Horizon and the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum invite you for a very special occasion: come with us see Jacques Villeneuve race at the 24 hours of Le Mans next June.

A group of about 15 peoples is getting organized for this special event.  Last year, Jacques did very well on its Peugeot and he hopes to be on the podium this time.  The race will be on June 14th but this package (from June 12th to June 16th) includes air fares with Air-France, staying at Le Chateau de Jallanges, breakfast every mornings and one group dinner. And of course tickets and transportation to the race.

Informations

Your price is 2,350$ per person, double occupancy.  This package is also available without air fares for 1,450$.  A 500$ surcharge will apply for a person travelling alone.

For more information, visit the website www.gphorizon.com. Or contact Grand Prix Horizon, at 1-877-729-4472.

Let’s hope that local and loyal fans from Quebec will help Jacques to add this victory on his list of accomplishments.

 

November 9th 2008

At the general request ... New edition of Gilles Villeneuve’s 1981 Ferrari Only 1000 copies available ! . 

- Last May- The Gilles-Villeneuve museum, during the special activities « Salute Gilles ... 25 as déjà ! » had put in sales a limited edition a 500 copies, scale 1 :43, of the 126CK Ferrari driven by Gilles Villeneuve at the Canadian Grand Prix of 1981., the unforgettable Ferrari with a damaged front wing. 

These cars of our champion sold-out in 4 days. To conclude this 2007 year honouring the 25th anniversary of the tragic death of Gilles, and et the general request, the Gilles-Villeneuve museum, in collaboration with the Italian company BRUMM, launches a NEW edition of that same Ferrari 126CK that grabbed the attention of racing fans during the Montreal Grand Prix. But on this version, you will notice the pilot skidding on the track and the front wing giving out. 

This collector item is presented in a special presentation box « Salute Gilles » different than the first edition. DELIVERY IS SCHEDULE FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER So if you are one of the lucky one to have purchase the first edition... do not miss out on this occasion to complete the collection. If you are one of the many that miss the first edition... here is your chance to put your hand on this one. 

All profits from the sales of these incredible replica will help the museum to continue its mission... to perpetuate the souvenir of this legend from Berthierville for years, and generations to come ! In memory of Gilles Villeneuve 

Alain Bellehumeur, general manager 

For information or to order your own Ferrari, call 1-800-639-0103 Or go on our website at www.museegillesvilleneuve.com and purchase directly in our BOUTIQUE.

May 6th 2006

 

Splendid Sunday at Gilles-Villeneuve Museum today

Hundreds of visitors to salute the Open House for the 25th anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve fatal accident at Gilles-Villeneuve Museum.

source: Flagworld

Beautiful weather for this very special day in Berthierville

There was a very special ambiance today in Berthierville for the inaugural activity saluting Gilles' fatal accident 25 years ago on May 8, 1982.

Almost 100 members of the English Vintage Car Club were present with their beautiful english vintage for the satisfaction of the visual pleasure of numerous car enthousiasts and other visitors.

Members of the immediate family including Gilles' mother Mrs Georgette Villeneuve, Gilles spouse Johann and her mother Mrs. Georgette Barthe, Jacques Villeneuve and his wife Celine were also present.

The mayor of Berthierville, Mr. Yvon Poirier who is also a member of the board of the Museum and most of the members of the board were also present.

A special guest of the Museum management, Mr. Michel W. Hanson who was the chief starter at the Canadian GP in 1978 for Gilles first victory in formula one on October 8th 1978 shared a few anecdotes about Gilles taking off with the checkered flag after the honor lap.

Mr. Hanson explained that Gilles told him he would send him a very special Scuderia Ferrari flag in exchange, promise he kept a couple of years later.

Mr. Hanson gracefully accepted to lend the famous Ferrari flag to the Museum until the 2007 edition of the Canadian GP.
April 26th 2006


Soon in Montreal …
The biggest exhibition on Gilles Villeneuve

Salut Gilles … already 25 years !
Be a part of this tribute to a great champion !

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve’s tragic death, the Gilles-Villeneuve museum is preparing several activities in Berthierville and in Montreal

These commemorative activities will start on Sunday May 6th in Berthierville, city where Gilles grew-up and will end with the Canadian Grand-Prix in Old-Montreal.

At the museum

In Berthierville, racing fans of all ages will be able to visit the museum free of charge on Sunday May 6th. In the afternoon, a special ceremony will be held outdoors were a distinctive signature “Salut Gilles” will be painted on the street in front of the museum. This signature is a reminder of the inscription at the start/finish line of the Canadian grand prix since 1982.

Let’s also noted that all visitors on the 6th, 7th and 8th of May will receive FREE a superb souvenir’s magazine of 52 pages about Gilles. And a new exposition inside the museum “Fans Corner” will present privately own pieces of history about our champion.

In Montreal

Gilles Villeneuve has marked Berthierville but he, of course, left it also in Montreal and across the Province. That’s why the museum has prepared a major exhibition that will give the chance to remember to those who knew him and to discover Gilles’s legacy to those who don’t.

This exhibition will retain all racing fans attention from June 6th to the 9th and will be held in one of the most frequented area in Montreal, Le Marché Bonsecours in Old-Montreal. Visitors will walk around this souvenir circuit and live again Gilles Villeneuve’s career.

Among the collection pieces presented, we will show several racing cars of the pilot, and on top of this ; lots of pictures, documents, newspaper headlines videos and more…

Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs, T-Shirts, caps, Post Cards, DVDs, Photos, and much more at the boutique.

Finally, to those who would like to help the museum will be able to do so by becoming a member a then receive their own copy of a very special DVD. Images of Gilles’s career on a song by Jean-Pierre Ferland in the background. Something to revive lots of emotions !

“Salut Gilles … already 25 years !” Major activities organized by the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum in Berthierville … for Gilles.
 
April 26th 2006


Salut Gilles … already 25 years !
List of commemorative activities

May 6th, 2007 : Open doors at the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum
Gathering of old English cars in Berthierville
Inauguration of a special exhibition Gilles’s fans at the Museum
Giveaway of the commemorative’s magazine to the first 2000 visitors

May 8th, 2007 : Commemorative day at the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum

May 30th, 2007 : Annual golf tournament in Berthierville

June 6th to 9th , 2007 : Gilles Villeneuve’s Exhibition in Montreal
At Le Marché Bonsecours in Old-Montreal

Other Activities:
April 24th 2006


Only 500 models of the 126 CK Ferrari with damaged wing
A worldwide exclusivity … in memory of Gilles !

Just a few days from the 25th anniversary of the tragic death of Gilles Villeneuve, the Gilles-Villeneuve museum in Berthierville announced a worldwide exclusivity produced in collaboration with the Italian company Brumm.

 Collectors and fans of Gilles Villeneuve will be able to purchase the replica on a scale 1 :43 of the Ferrari 126 CK turbo, the one that Gilles drove at the Canadian Grand Prix in 1981. This Ferrari with a damage front wing did not even stop the pilot to step on the third step of the podium to the cheers and admiration of the crowd.

 

 

Salut Gilles

This car showing number 27, produced at only 500 copies and display in a special commemorative box, will be available end of May 2007. But you can reserve immediately yours at a special launching price of 34,95$ each, plus taxes. Beginning of June, it will be sold at the regular price of 39,95$, plus taxes.

The year long theme of the commemorative programmation of the Museum « Salut Gilles … 25 ans déjà ! » will be in evidence on this collector box. This « Salut Gilles ! » represent the inscription on the Finish Line at the Canadian Grand Prix since the pilot from Berthier left us.

Let’s remember that during the 181 Canadian Grand Prix a contact with an other cart had damaged the front wing of Gilles's car. So much that at one time the wing would block completely Gilles’s vision. Just when the officials where getting ready to black flag Gilles to force him to come into the pit to remove the wing… the Ferrari driver manage to do the impossible by disposing of the wing while tangling his car from left to right severely. Without his front wing, the Ferrari finished the race … on it’s way to a third position.

An other great exploit from Gilles Villeneuve !

At Brumm, in Italy, as well as at the Gilles-Villeneuve museum, the souvenir of our beloved champion is still well alive. Time flies at the speed of an F1 car, but the souvenir of this spirited driver his alive and well. « We are proud to present this homage to Gilles Villeneuve » commented Alain Bellehumeur, general manager of the Gilles-Villeneuve museum.

To get your own copy of this Ferrari 126 CK 1981 with the damaged front wing, just contact the museum at :
Phone (450) 836-2714
Toll Free 1-800-639-0103
Email : museegillesvilleneuve@bellnet.ca

Web www.museegillesvilleneuve.com

 
April 16th 2006


Berthierville support the efforts of the Gilles-Villeneuve museum

In this year 2007 marked by the 25th anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve tragic death on May 8th, 1982, the City of Berthierville answer to the demand of the museum with a special contribution of $ 10,000 to the organisation.

In return to this generous financial contribution, the museum will open it’s doors to all residents of Berthierville. With prove of residency (driver’s license) Berthier’s residents will be able to visit free the museum.

Major impact

For M. Yvon Poirier, mayor of the city, “this non-profit organisation contributes to the effluence of the region, regionally, nationally and internationally. I invite everyone from Berthierville to take advantage of this offer and visit this superb attraction.” The Gilles-Villeneuve museum attract every year between 15 000 to 20 000 visitors from all over the world.

M. Alain Bellehumeur, general manager of the museum, thanked the authorities of the city of Berthierville for this generous contribution on that very special year. “Gilles Villeneuve put on the map the region of Berthierville by his exploit. Visitors still come from all over the province and even the world to the city to visit the museum on his honour”.

The City of Berthierville joins now the list of precious partners for this commemorative year under the theme “Salut Gilles … 25 years already !“. A year dedicated to the memory of our champion.

Just a reminder that the Gilles-Villeneuve museum is open every day from 9:00 to 17:00.

 


 		  Georges Barthe, municipal-councillor, confirmed to Alain Bellehumeur, Gilles Villeneuve Museum general manager, the contribution of the city of Berthierville

 
January 15th 2006


More than 3500 pictures …
In memory of Gilles !

 One picture … one donation to the museum. More than 3500 visitors at the 2007 Montreal Auto Show, from January 19th to the 28th accepted our invitation.

For only a 2$ donation, it was possible to leave immediately with a superb picture taken next to a Ferrari 308 GTS (model that Gilles Villeneuve was driving in Italy) and in background of a gigantic reproduction of two legends, Gilles and Enzo Ferrari.


Visits from personalities

Several personalities stop at our booth during their visit : Michel Barette, Steve Diamond, Annie Pelletier and let’s not forget Joan Villeneuve !

« The museum presence at the Auto Show was for us the first of many activities on what will be a very special year. Under the theme « Salute Gilles … 25 as déjà » 2007 will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Gilles tragic accident. »

« We would like to thank the Montreal Auto Show team for the opportunity offered to us. To those who knew Gilles Villeneuve love to reminisce his exploits and for the youngsters, it’s a chance to discover this racing legend » commented M. Alain Bellehumeur, general manager of the museum.

Drawing

Two prices were drawn at the end of the show throughout all donators.

A superb framed pictures of Jacques Villeneuve in the Ferrari of his dad taken in 2004 and autographed by Jacques was won by M. L.P. Genest of Quebec City. A special thanks to Formula World Shop who supplied this gift.

Also M. James Cescon from Montreal was awarded a karting event for 8 persons at Kart-O-Mania Interior karting in Montreal’s west end.

Thank you to all our partners !

The Gilles-Villeneuve Museum couldn’t have participated to this event without the help of some of our best partners : SIAM, Flagworld.com, Discount, Kart-O-Mania, FormulaWorldShop.com, CPS Digital, Castrol, Dumoulin, and M. Joe Renda.
 
January 15th 2006


Salut Gilles ... at the Montreal Auto Show 

During the International Auto Show that will take place in Montreal from January 19th to the 28th, the Gilles-Villeneuve museum will officially launch its list of activities under this year’s theme « Salut Gilles ... 25 years ago ! ». 

“In 2007, several activities will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Gilles Villeneuve tragic death 25 years ago .... The museum presence at the Auto Show will be the first of many activities to come.  We will present the special friendship that linked two Automobile’s Legends; Gilles Villeneuve and Enzo Ferrari” said Alain Bellehumeur, general manager of the museum. 

A picture that doesn’t need words 

Visitors who will make a donation of 2$ or more to the Gilles-Villeneuve Museum, a non-profit organisation, will leave with a superb and unique souvenir picture. 

Donators will be photograph next to a real Ferrari 308, the exact same model that Gilles use to drive in Italy.  And on background, a huge replication of the legendary meeting of Gilles with Enzo Ferrari.

This homage to Gilles Villeneuve is made possible by the support of our partners : Dumoulin/Photo Joliette, Flagworld.Com, Kart-O-Mania (centre de karting interior), Formula World Shop, Discount location d’Autos et de Camions, Castrol et CPS Digital. 

Several pieces of collection from the museum will be on display and visitors will have the opportunity to purchase Gilles-Villeneuve’s souvenirs from our on the spot boutique. 

It’s a rendezvous at the Montreal Auto Show from January 19th to the 28th at the Palais des Congres.  The museum team will be waiting for you !
January 15th 2006

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