27 March 2010 - Australian Grand Prix

We’ve had a great idea for a new game. We’re running the Grand Prix world championship!
　
Using one of Dad’s old board games - Formula One - we’re going to hold a three lap race every time that there’s a real Grand Prix taking place. There are six cars in the game, and the “drivers” will be Sam himself plus five of his favourite toys, namely Brian the Duck, Rudolph the Musical Reindeer, Postman Pat, Buzz Lightyear, and token baddie, Doctor X.

　
We missed last week’s real season opener, so this week was our own first race, the Australian Grand Prix. We’re using a retro points system rather than the fancy-shmancy new style, and it’s all going to be most excellent.

　
As well as great fun I’m planning to educate Sam without him realising it, which is of course the best way to do it. Around each of our races I’m going to be introducing some elements of the country that it’s taking place in, maybe drawing their flag, finding it on maps, reading some of its history, and anything else you might like to suggest.

　
So, race one was the Australian Grand Prix, summed up here with words by me and photos mainly by Sam himself:

After two laps we made a pitstop, for scrambled egg on toast, with a rasher of bacon snipped on top. It's the ideal brekkie for the middle of a high octane motor racing spectacle.

Here we see Rudolph (black) holding off a challenge by Brian the Duck (yellow):

Sam (red) leads Doctor X (green), Postman Pat (blue) and Buzz Lightyear (orange) into Lodge Corner:

In the background of this picture you can see the rival drivers. Left to right, Buzz Lightyear, Postman Pat (lying down), Doctor X, Rudolph, Brian (wearing helmet of course):

The result was as follows:

1st - Brian the Duck
2nd - Rudolph the Musical Reindeer
3rd - Sam
4th - Postman Pat
5th - Buzz Lightyear
6th - Doctor X

The cars are shown here in the pits, in the order of finishing:

And so the standings are:

10 points - Brian the Duck

6 - Rudolph the Musical Reindeer

4 - Sam

3 - Postman Pat

2 - Buzz Lightyear

1 - Doctor X

There's not long to wait for round two, as we're off to Malaysia next weekend! Tally ho....

4 April - Malaysia

18 April - China

9 May - Spain

16 May - Monaco

30 May - Turkey

13 June - Canada

27 June - Europe

11 July - Britain

25 July - Germany

1 August - Hungary

29 August - Belgium

12 September - Italy

26 September - Singapore

10 October - Japan

24 October - Korea

7 November - Brazil

14 November - United Arab Emirates