Comments on: Announcement: F1 choc bar challenge

By: RedStar

RedStar — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 09:41:57 +0000

Well, what a good way to end an incredible season. Shame that the McLarens weren’t as fast as expected; nor did they keep pace with development. Next year maybe. Well, I concede defeat and shall try to be gracious about it. Your prize will be:
2 x Honduras Indio Rojo (different roast profiles for each bar)
2 x Corazon del Ecuador 72% (different cocoa butter percentages)
2 x new Venezuela criollo (so new it doesn’t have a name. Well, I have the beans but haven’t made any chocolate yet)
2 x new from Panama beans, when they arrive
2 x any old rubbish I find at the back of a cupboard. Madagascar perhaps
1 x ticket to Autosport International Show in January, on a Trade Only day. Fewer punters around and the Engineering section is only open that day.

By: Martin Christy

Martin Christy — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 12:43:37 +0000

So, Vettel then, no surprises there from Duffy!

It’s going to be really interesting, especially with Alonso wanting Hamilton to win – does he really mean that?! Vettel has to be favourite, so it’s what goes on behind that counts, but I’m going to ‘vote’ again and call for Hamilton. Alonso likely to get the title though.

We said 1 bar per win, so if Vettel wins it today, it will finish here 10-9 and Duffy will have almost caught up, so almost a straight swap. I agree though, I deserve a special prize for winning overall as well!

Next year it would be interesting to open this up to Duffy’s customers and Seventypercent followers. If anyone is interested, post your suggestions on how we do it and what the rules might be here or in the forum.

Ok, now to get ready for the race!

By: RedStar

RedStar — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 19:16:03 +0000

Right then – for the first time in 60 years four drivers can still win the F1 Championship tomorrow. A sulky Webber is nowhere on the grid and must be “considering his options” for next year. He won’t like being the number 2 – but there is nowhere for him to go. He’ll have to give up, move to a small team knowing that he won’t win anything – or drive faster than Vettel so that he deserves to be Champ. Lewis had Jenson help him to 4th place last week and will need more help this weekend to win; I can’t see Jenson pushing Alonso off the track thrack, amusing as it might be.
Alonso is full of sparkle and only the brave would bet against him claiming the title again – but this is about who will finish first. I shall – of course – pick Vettel. He won’t need to pull over to gift the win to Webber because Webber would have to get past Alonso first. Mind you, the Ferrari has been on its’ last engine for a few races now and might be suspect. He’s due some bad luck.
So, Vettel for the win and Alonso for the title. I’ve already lost this personal battle with Martin so you need to say what payment I am required to make! And congratulations.

By: RedStar

RedStar — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:02:21 +0000

Martin says he is “voting” for Hamilton, as he has already beaten me overall in this competition. I might still demand a recount so need to keep as close as I can. Tough call – qualifying was excellent and Williams are on the front row. I assume they had a full wet set-up on the car as they need to show well somewhere and attract attention and therefore sponsors for next year. If that is true then they will be slow today.
Alonso is a bit far back and will be keen to get on the podium – and that is all he needs to do to pull this extraordinary championship out of his red hat. Webber is grumbling about his team not supporting him, which always plays well with the mechanics and engineers who will have worked many many long and unthanked hours at the circuit after Mark has gone home to rest up. Is he playing games or cracking? We shall see.
I shall, of course, go for Vettel. Slight underdog who would probably crash rather than allow Webber to finish in front of him. I do like single-minded no-compromise drivers. Lewis could be awesome but he needs a better car under him. His works better than Jenson’s does but it still isn’t as fast as the Red Bull or the Ferrari – both drivers are flattering that car this year.
Let’s hope the season carries onf or one more race – and I do hope Hulkenberg gets a result of some sort; Williams are due a break for solidly plugging away and still being innovative. Besides, his engineer used to work for me when he first left college and is a proper nice guy.

By: Martin Christy

Martin Christy — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:01:30 +0000

So, whoohoo! I won the year chocolate bar challenge championship, 10-7. Season not over though and I still might have to find 9 choc bars for Duffy if I’m not careful!

In the real world though the important action is happening later, a big exciting end to the season. Now that I’ve WON I feel I can just vote and go for Hamilton. Did he underperform because he was held up? Also hard to see Hulkenburg following through from pole to a win, even though it was exciting to see him come through.

Red Bulls are looking volotile and tense I think, Alonso could come through though and do something special, but then so could Hamilton, so he’s my pick.

By: RedStar

RedStar — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 19:10:51 +0000

Who would have thought that Renault – a team I used to work for in 2 of it’s previous incarnations – would be so spiteful as to blow up Vettel’s engine just to deprive me of chocolate. Mean-spirited, I call it. Interesting race though and some silly driving on view from people trying to nail a seat for next year. Sorry Petrov, you need more money. Sorry Sutil, you need to remember to take your brain with you when you get in the car. Sorry, Webber, you don’t deserve to get protection from Red Bull when you can’t even get it together to stroll to victory. And of course sorry Lewis, you threw away a race win.
Still

By: Martin Christy

Martin Christy — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 00:38:38 +0000

So that leaves me with Alonso or Hamilton, assuming that Webber plays it cautiously. Alonso should be the sensible choice then, but I think the McLaren’s should be faster than they are. Rain could put things in a spin as well. So I’m probably mistakenly going for Hamilton, but what ever happens should be an interesting race.

By: RedStar

RedStar — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 08:04:49 +0000

This is getting nicely close but Martin is still favourite to win overall. My choice for Korea though. I watched the last 10 minutes of Q3 expecting The McLarens to be near the top. Lewis is close but no cigar; the Red Bull is once again just slightly ahead. There should be plenty of overtaking and slithering around on the fresh tarmac and I imagine a few safety cars too. Very tempted to go for Fernando whi has nothing to lose and is very quick but I shall keep up my Vettel fan club application and pick him. Webber has too much to lose so won’t be doing anything stupid like trying to barge past and anyway he’s on the slippery grid position.
I hope the camera work improves though – I got no feeling for the flow of the circuit from what I’ve seen.
Duffy

By: Martin Christy

Martin Christy — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 13:18:39 +0000

9-7 … sob … I really need to concentrate for the next race!

By: Duffy

Duffy — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 06:10:47 +0000

Well, I am up and have read a quick report on qualifying – and my choice is Vettel. Kubica has nothing to lose though…