The Chevron Championship

alex i am afrain since you saw that vid (uk champs o7) which was envys first ever time out i have installed a power return. i dont use the power return unless something like that happenes. let me tell you it was a surprise i didnt see coming. it happened with ripper too.

In that case... still feint but this time try to get the flipper fired up so I can get a big headlong hit onto it, which now exposed instead of inside the body might do a bit more damage perhaps. Hmmm... vexed again...

out driving the great Swan is the key mate. envy isnt unbeatable. said that a tracked robot against a wheels robot like envys will be difficult.

Here it is...the

HEAT A FINAL
Envy vs. Darkestar

ROBOTEERS, STAND BY

Booth 1, left hand side: Alex Holt
Booth 2, right hand side: Shane Swan

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The first heat final of the Chevron Championship begins, and Envy comes out of the start first, moving down the arena towards the patrol zone, as Darkestar spins its weapon up, turning to face Envy. Envy moves tentatively forwards, curving slightly to try and get around the side, Darkestar turning at its opponent, but Envy moves in and wedges under the tracks of Darkestar, but can only take one of the tracks off the ground, and Darkestar isnt making it easy to push it...the right track is cancelling the force of Envys Magmotor drive, and the robots begin to slowly rotate around each other in some sort of dance. Darkestar suddenly reverses, breaking the deadlock, and comes charging in as Envy turns to face it!
CRASH! And both machines go flying into the air, Envy catching Darkestar with the flipper but taking a hit from the triangular spinning weapon, bouncing down on its wheels though. Darkestar is inverted, but reverses back into Envy nonetheless, attempting to get a good angle to push it into the walls or the pit...but Envy turns, and Alex just drives stright up the wedge!
FLIP! Darkestar rolls into the air and bounces slightly as it comes to rest on its tracks. Its weapon is now facing in the appropriate direction, though, and it drives towards Envy, who moves out of the way. Envy drives down the arena, past the flame grid, and turns as it seeks to come in for another charge, as Darkestar follows with the weapon spinning. Envy pauses for a moment, as Darkestar approaches, but suddenly turns twice and comes in around the side...wedging underneath the tracks of Darkestar!
FLIP! Darkestar goes onto its back, but drives away before Envy can get beneath it again. Turning to face Envy, Darkestar reveses a while and stops, trying to draw Envy in...Envy comes in around the side, but Darkestar turns, just taking the track off the front of Envys scoop, and takes a swipe at its opponent with the weapon!
CRASH! Envy goes flying into the air, and comes down inverted, sporting a deep dent in the front right hand side...Darkestar comes in again, and although Shane fires the flipper to self right, the top of his robot just meets the spikes of Darkestar, whos not spinning, but is gaining traction, and pushing...driving Envy up towards the walls, near the patrol zone...and slamming Envy into the wall as it bounces away...aaalmost into the pit! Envy self rights, throwing itself against the arena wall, as Darkestar is over by Matilda, in the top area...Alex is pulling on his controls, but Darkestars tracks arent gripping! One of the spikes appears to be firmly wedged in the arena wall, and Matilda senses this, turning to bring the chainsaw down onto the tracks...chewing up the Vulkalon grip on one side, shredding the rubber! Shunt comes in too, hammering the top of Darkestars weapon motor with the axe to little obvious effect, but freeing Darkestar off the arena wall with the scoop! Relieved, Darkestar drives away, towards Envy, which...isnt...doing all that much at the moment...the wheels are spinning, but its on the edge of the pit! It must have driven on there after self righting, not going anywhere there, and Shanes looking a bit glum at the moment...but Darkestar comes in with a nudge, and Envy has traction! It reverses off the corner of the pit, and turns in towards Darkestar, but Darkestar pushes Envy, getting under it with the spike...and turning...and Envy is on the lip of oblivion again! Darkestar pushes once more, Alex looking relieved as Shane shakes his head, and Envy is going down...in through the smoke...and out!

CEASE

Revenge is sweet for Darkestar, as it wins out over Envy to qualify for the grand final!

DARKESTAR - HEAT A WINNER

COMING NEXT
HEAT B - TUG OF WAR
Black Panther Queen
The 6isc
D.V.D
Crash Bandi-Bot 3
Back To Rock III
Macduff The Third

along with some slightly bad news; Im off on holiday tomorrow for about 5 days, so I may not be able to get anything else done between now and then. I will be back though, unfortunately :proud: so get the tactics, comments, predictions and other nice things in anyway.

congrats alex. well done. 1 all. we will meet again i am sure. i will now back you to win the finals so dont let me down. :)

mind you i still have my secret weapon to rid you all in the shape of the mighty THOR. will see if thor meets you in the finals. trax not too sure about but ripper could do well too

Tactics for the gauntlet are to go for the centre ramp, which from Joeys drawing looks easily wide enough to accomodate The 6isk.

If its OK, Id like to take the LEMS out of the weapon drive and install them in the wheel drive to give me some extra oomph.

NEVER rely on anything Ive drawn, Frank :proud:

And Ill allow that, assuming doing so wouldnt be ridiculously impossible within the design, but Ill probably make some sort of rule about that for series 2.

CRASHS TACTICS

Im torn between going down the middle route or the right route (with the rig). I think, considering I should be able to get through the rig wherever it is, and considering its only Matilda, Ill go for the right hand route.

Tug Of War, if I get there...well, theres not much you can say really, is there?

gonna try my luck on the right hand myself with back to rock

Ill go striaght down the middle of the course and go up the see-saw. Remove the drum for this course to help me climb the ramp and then just speed to the end.

quote:

...but Ill probably make some sort of rule about that for series 2

My thinking is, if this was a real competition then theyd be a couple of motors Id have hanging around as I couldnt use the weapon anyway. I wouldnt say Ill use these spare LEMS I just happened to have but arnet in the stats:)

I appreciate that, its just I dont think people should get away with having a virtually different robot for different rounds...

And to answer your original question (kinda), The 6isc would probably fit on the ramp, whether itd be able to get up it considering the bricks and house robots is a different matter.

Macduff the 3rd will use the lifting spikes here.

Lets take the center path. The bricks will be a breeze, and after the ramp I should be able to get under Shunt and push him away with relative ease. Even if I dont get under them, I can still outpush Shunt and Dead Metal by a mile. :proud:

Nice to see its been active in here while Ive been away :P

Intros, gauntlet and trials up in a minute, or possibly several.

Well considering you were away... :wink:

Good to see youre back though. :)

I dont know, I somehow expected there to be some posts in here for some reason :lame:

Quick note: Im using the new Black Panther here, since Alex re-did it.

Anyway, without further ado...

FIRST, FROM GEDDINGTON, BLACK PANTHER!
A half-moon shaped wedge with a flipper and a powerful pneumatic axe with a specially designed blade for more impact damage, yet with a point for focusing the force on one small area to avoid lodging it in an opponent. Its armoured in titanium and HDPE and has 4 wheel drive from two Magmotors giving a top speed of 22mph.

FROM GAINSBOROUGH, THE 6ISC!
The third placed machine in the Roaring Donkey, this robots reputation most definitely precedes it, with the latest incarnation of the barbell of doom looking as dangerous as ever. The robots namesake spins at 2500rpm and is carved from a single block of metal for maximum durability, and its designed to be unflippable with six triangularly-arranged wheels allowing it to be driven any way up.

FROM ORPINGTON, DEATH VIA DRUM!
Also known as D.V.D., this invertible box sports Hardox plating with Vulkanised wheels for more grip ans has four Lynch motors inside it - two power the drive at 36 horsepower, and the other two power the D in D.V.D. - the front 15kg drum rotating at 6500rpm, with 3 S7 tool steel teeth that transmit 65kj of energy when they make contact.

FROM SUFFOLK, CRASH BANDI-BOT 3!
Crash takes the form of a parallelogram wedge with four wheel drive from Magmotors and titanium armour, and a front rear hinged flipper and rear pneumatic spike, both running off high pressure carbon dioxide pneumatics, but most important of all is the main feature, a shock-activated sound system that goes WOAH!. Do I detect an obsession here?

FROM HOLLAND, BACK TO ROCK III!
This machine is designed for power and control, with six Lynch motor driven wheels and an electric lifter - and as if that wasnt enough, its got a diamond edged sawblade in the middle of the lifter to pin an opponent on the wedge and do damage. The lifter runs off a unique rack-and-pinion mechanism that gives good lifting force, and titanium armour protects the vital components.

FROM TORONTO, MACDUFF THE THIRD!
Finally, tonights heaviest robot Macduff came second in the last tournament, and is back in a new form with urethane rubber coated titanium tracks driven off Lynch motors at sixty volts, giving lots of power to propel the Hardox and polycarb armoured box along. The weaponry is interchangable, and can either be a spike or wedge lifting device or a static scoop.

Anyone suggesting I stole The 6isc and Back To Rocks intros from my last tournament will be shot. :proud:

and can either be a spike

Two spikes, Joey. :proud:

I know that, its just I couldnt think of how to fit twin spikes in without rambling. :proud:

Heres the gauntlet, you poor, unfortunate people. :proud:

ROBOTEERS, STAND BY

First to take on the gauntlet is Alex Holt, this time with Black Panther.

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Black Panther comes out of the cage, somewhat nervously, but turning and heading to its right, as it steers into the house robot route. Sir Killalot comes up, to try to stop Black Panthers progress, but it turns, and goes past the house robot, steering near the pit as it does so...and tipping! Alex holds his controls in the air, trying to drive Black Panther off the edge of the first pit, but Sir Killalot brings the lance down, tapping the side of the black robot, and it falls slowly down through the smoke and into the tyres.

STOP, AND DEACTIVATE ROBOTS

Black Panther - 4 metres

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ROBOTEERS, STAND BY

Next its Frank Goacher, driving The 6isc.

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And its a quick start for The 6isc, powering away from the start and smashing int the brick wall, demolishing it at either end and causing the middle section to wobble and fall over. Coated in fine brick dust, The 6isc starts up the ramp, somewhat nervously, the over a metre wide axlebot only just fitting its wheels on the slope as it inclines in short bursts. The house robots are beginning to congregate at the other end, and Dead Metal comes forward, ramming the front edge of the seesaw, and The 6isc falls off the right hand side! Frank shakes his head, the wheel pods preventing his machine from moving one set of wheels, and the axle hung on the edge of the ramp suspending the other three in the air. Its not moving, and the house robots move in, Shunt denting the wheel housing with the axe, and Dead Metal making sparks from the titanium chassis.

STOP, AND DEACTIVATE ROBOTS

The 6isc - 6.5 metres

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ROBOTEERS, STAND BY

Paul Cuomo driving Death Via Drum - minus its drum - is next.

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D.V.D. comes straight out of the cage and into the blocks, as the concrete chips fly. The robot attempts to mount the ramp, but is having trouble, it would seem, due to the bricks blocking its way...Sir Killalot comes in from behind, noticing this, but D.V.D. manages to get free and drives up the ramp, cradling half a brick between its weapon supports. The seesaw comes down, and Dead Metal is waiting, but D.V.D. holds back for a mament, and then feints to drive past the house robots pincers, and speeding beneath Bashs lick of flame into the end zone, to Pauls delight!

STOP, AND DEACTIVATE ROBOTS

D.V.D. - Completed in 29.75 secs

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ROBOTEERS, STAND BY

Its Crash Bandi-Bots turn now, driven by Chris Mason.

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Crash Bandi-Bot drives out of the start quickly, and turns, moving forwards into the ramrig, which is open at this moment in time. Crash adjusts its positioning slightly, to get a straight run through, and then drives in, bypassing the saws and the closing barrier harmlessly...almost getting out...hit slightly by the barrier at the end, knocking it off course, and Matilda comes in, and raises the tusks, pinning one of Crashs wheels in the air! Chris pulls on his control stick, but his robot isnt going anywhere, all the wheels are off the ground and Matilda drags Crash backwards, actually down the course slightly, and jams the front wedge in against the fence. Shunt is in there as well, coming in with the axe - right behind the right rear wheel! That looks painful, and Matilda reverses in with the chainsaw, cutting a little slot in the side armour and provoking a cry of objection from inside the robot.

STOP, AND DEACTIVATE ROBOTS

Crash Bandi-Bot 3 - 13 metres

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ROBOTEERS, STAND BY

Next up is Martijn Benschops Back To Rock III.

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Its a tenatative start from Back To Rock, Martijn easing his robot out of the cage and steering it into the right hand route, before pausing briefly, the rig not yet open enough to let it through. The rig gradually opens, though, and Back To Rock comes in to the gap, driving down, nearly riding up on the rig though, and in correcting, it steers straight in to the saws! Titanium sparks fly all over the place, but BTR seems unharmed, and comes out over the flame pit...Matilda reverses in with the chainsaw, bringing it down on the top...more sparks are produced, but Matilda cant get enough power to pin Back To Rock in place, and Martijn throws a fist in the air as the robot edges past Matilda and over the flames in to the end zone.

STOP, AND DEACTIVATE ROBOTS

Back To Rock III - Completed in 38 secs

***

Last to run the gauntlet is Macduff The Third, driven by Kody Kunz...

*cut to pits. Kody is standing in front of Macduff (which is on a trolley), being interviewed by Joey before going in*

Joey: So, which route are you going for?
Kody: The middle one. I should be able to get through the bricks fairly easily, and the house robots shouldnt be a problem - I can probably get under them with the spikes, and Macduff has a beepload of traction from the treads, so pushing them will be easy.
Joey: Okay, good luck then.

*Kody and random guys begin to wheel the robot towards the arena, when Joey calls to them*

Joey: Is that a metric beepload, or an imperial beepload?
Kody: Uh...I dunno, but its a lot. *shrugs*

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Macduff surges into the blocks, which crash down onto the tracked machine, some just disintegrating on the top armour as Macduff comes forward. The front of the robot briefly hops into the air, as the front spikes make contact with the ramp, before Macduff gets on the back of the seesaw...and suddenly speeds forward and launches itself off the end! Kody smiles at the acrobatics, but Macduff is now being approached by Shunt, who drives in with the scoop...but the scoop rides up the lifting spikes, and Macduff comes forward, pushing the house robot with ease! The axe comes down, but pecking at thin air, as Macduff pushes Shunt ahead of it, into the end zone!

STOP, AND DEACTIVATE ROBOTS

Macduff The Third - Completed in 18.66 secs

LEADERBOARD
1: Macduff The Third - Completed
2: D.V.D. - Completed
3: Back To Rock - Completed
4: Crash Bandi-Bot 3 - 13m
5: The 6isc - 6.5m
6: Black Panther - 4m (OUT)

Unfortunately, we say farewell to Black Panther at this stage.

COMING NEXT, PROBABLY TOMORROW AS IM HALF DEAD:
TUG OF WAR
vs. Dead Metal - again, LEM200s, Vulkalon tyres, etc.

Comments, thoughts, an inflight turkey meal that doesnt taste like chicken?

quote:

If its OK, Id like to take the LEMS out of the weapon drive and install them in the wheel drive to give me some extra oomph.

I dont think youd fit them in there Frankie, but you could always remove the weapon, fit a bar/tail like Stinger to the weapon axle and when you try to spin the weapon axle it will make the bar hit the floor then will try to turn the wheels faster since its the path of least resistance. Means you wouldnt have to rebuild half of 6isc :wink:

Macduff the 3rd will use the second set-up here, which is the invertible wedge.

Basically get under Dead Metal and throw him out! What can he do against wedges? :proud:

the Tug of War is different from the Sumo right?

Oh wait, forgot this was tug of war. :lame: Why do I keep forgetting to check this stuff? :lame:

Still, tracks have more traction then wheels, and since we have equal amounts of power and have the same rubber on our motivation, I believe I should win this. :proud:

Edit: Are Dead Metals LEMs at 48v or 60v?

(Message edited by kodster on March 26, 2008)

Well, DVD did well, very well, but now I reckon Ill have problems. My main aim though is to NOT be beaten, so just pull as hard as I can, and just TRY to stay-on.

I believe that this isnt going to be The 6iscs challenge, and that Franks robot will go out.

Good luck everyone :wink:

48v, Mr. Kody, although Im not sure if it particuarly matters...having said that, Im thinking of having custom house robots for the next series.

TUG OF WAR

THE 6ISC

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And the machines start pulling, The 6isc sporting a rather unnatural extension to the weapon today, so the chain can clip on to something. Its even so far, Dead Metal pulling The 6isc sometimes, and then vice versa. The house robot is pulled backwards by Franks machine, but turns slightly, and floors the power...and The 6iscs rear wheels lift off the ground! Its traction is greatly reduced, and Dead Metal now has no difficulty pulling the axlebot towards the pit...just at the end, The 6isc manages to get four wheels on the floor again, but its too little, too late, and it tips into the smoke!

The 6isc - 18 seconds

DEATH VIA DRUM

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D.V.D. reverses, as the chain pulls taut, and it jitters forward slightly as Dead Metal pulls on the other end. Paul grits his teeth, and D.V.D. slowly begins moving backwards - but Dead Metal drives forward, and D.V.D jerks towards the pit about three inches before getting grip again. There are more periods of each pulling the other slightly, with Dead Metal perhaps gaining the advantage a bit more often, but D.V.D. isnt going down very fast, and the seconds tick down, both machines seeming to give up as Paul looks relieved.

D.V.D. - SURVIVED

CRASH BANDI-BOT 3

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Crash begins to pull, the chain tightening as it tries to get a grip on Dead Metal, but it moves back towards the pit instead! Chris holds his transmitter above his head, and Crashs wheels spin, and slowly get traction and reverse the direction of travel. Dead Metal pulls again, and Crash moves back, but getting grip on the floor again, and pulling the house robot briefly. This seems to be repeating itself quite a bit here, both machines pulling, but neither dominating the other. Crash pulls again, and actually manages to pull Dead Metal further...but the opponent digs in, and drags Crash forward...and forward...and forward...and on the edge of the pit! Chris is shaking his head, all it would take is one final pull, and Dead Metal drives down the ramp to oblige and submerge Crash Bandi-Bot.

CRASH BANDI-BOT 3 - 28.75 secs

BACK TO ROCK III

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Tugging begins, and immediately it would seem Back To Rock has the upper hand here, with its six wheel drive giving it more power, pulling the house robot towards the pit...Dead Metal regains ground, though, briefly pulling Back To Rock back. Martijn digs in, though, and Back To Rock pulls forward again, before Dead Metal moves back, and then more pulling, and the house robot edges towards the pit...Dead Metal turns into the pulling, but one of its wheels is on the edge! Back To Rock reverses near the pit, and then floors the power, pulling the chain taut, and Dead Metal slides into oblivion!

BACK TO ROCK III - WON in 24.5 secs

MACDUFF THE THIRD

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Macduff begins pulling, and almost immediately it would seem he faces little resistance, pulling Dead Metal along almost effortlessly, almost to the pit, but the house robot finds some traction, and Macduff goes forwards, only slightly though. MacDuff resumes pulling, the tracks scraping the platform surface, as it drags Dead Metal backwards in a cloud of tyre smoke-
BANG! Suddenly, a puff of smoke comes from the right hand side of Macduff, and Dead Metal moves away from the pit a few inches! Kody cranes his neck to see whats going on, looking concerned, but Dead Metal now dragging Macduff towards the pit slowly, amidst wheelspin...Kody tries his controls, and MacDuff turns on one side, then moves slightly forward on its remaining track and slams the corner of the wedge into the wall! Now this presents a problem, as the wedge is digging in to the wall and preventing Dead Metal from being able to pull Macduff further. Theres struggling, but it isnt going anywhere fast, the wedge stabbing deeper into the side and preventing movement before the time runs out.

In the pits, Kody discovered a fuse in the right side speed controller had blown during the pulling, having problems with the high current draw.

Macduff The Third - SURVIVED

LEADERBOARD:
1: Back To Rock III - Victorious
2: D.V.D. - Survived
3: Macduff The Third - Survived
4: Crash Bandi-Bot 3 - 28.75 secs
5: The 6isc - 18 secs (OUT)

Sorry Frank, The 6iscs time is up.

THE SEMI FINALS
Back To Rock III vs. Macduff The Third
D.V.D. vs. Crash Bandi-Bot 3

Tactics, thoughts, comments, predictions, parrots?

WOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO

I pitted Dead Metal, so Ill try and do the same to Macduff :wink:

Curse them speed controllers!

Back To Rock III vs. Macduff the 3rd

Back to the lifting spikes. They shouldnt have much problem getting under Back to Rocks own front lifter because of the surface area rule, and if I can catch the lifting mechanism or a wheel hole, then hes done. :proud: Ill have to avoid that lifter getting at my sides of course, which shouldnt be that much of a problem either, but with Martijn, who knows? :wink:

Ram, ram, lift, lift, pit, pit! Show Martijn why Im a finalist of Roaring Donkey. :proud:

Well. Crash Bandi-Bot 3 is known for being flammable, so drum him over and then push him over the flame pit! Hiis fur will burn off, allowing me to target his unprotected armour. I should be alright in this battle, but Ill see.

Good luck Chris :wink:

I love an oblivious target. Since D.V.D is going to be wasting his time trying to get rid of something that isnt there, just flip him over several times, and basically keep piling on the pressure.

...CB-B has fur?

It must be invisible fur! =O

The only furry robot I have on my team is Spring-BOK!

Sorry, I was wrong, but my plan still remains the same, drum him over and push him into the House Robots. I think Ill be fine, given I can run upside-down and still use my weapon, Ill easily bust his Titanium armour.

Good luck Chris :wink:

Meh, I knew 6isc wouldnt fare well. I only entered it because it came third last time around and thought Id screw up seedings if I didnt enter it.

Seedings? Whats those? :lame: Seriously, I think its a great design, it just got drawn in the wrong heat. I could never have come up with something like that...

...anyway, less sentimental vomiting, more fights!

Back To Rock III vs. Macduff The Third

ROBOTEERS, STAND BY

Booth 1, left hand side: Martijn Benschop
Booth 2, right hand side: Kody Kunz

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Both robots start quickly, coming out of the start very fast and heading straight for each other. Back To Rock turns to try and get the lifter into play, but Macduff remains on course, and slams into the side of Back To Rock, denting the side skirt considerably with the lifting spikes despite not being able to get under. Martijn holds his controls in the air, and reverses Back To Rock around the pit, perhaps attempting to draw Macduff in to push it into oblivion. Macduff comes in, spikes scraping the ground, and slams head on into Back To Rock...which lifts the weapon...and raises its aggressor in the air! Macduffs tracks are spinning, but its not getting traction on the arena surface, and Back To Rock drags it around to the side of the pit...turning to put it in...and Macduff topples and slides down...back onto the arena floor! Kody wastes no time in reversing, and bringing Macduffs spikes in on the side of Back To Rock, again not getting under it, but using them to push Back To Rock up on the lip of the pit! Macduff backs off, perhaps wanting to come in for the killer shove, but BTR is able to reverse back from the edge, slightly...before the spikes come in again, and it finds itself being pushed back over the edge of the pit, to come to a stop on the northern edge, all wheels off the ground! Back To Rock revs the saw, possibly in anger, or perhaps to try and unbalance it enough to get traction, but its not going to work as Macduff comes in one final time, and gently pushes the side with the prongs to send Martijns machine down and out!

CEASE

After a short but sweet fight, Macduff The Third goes through to the heat final!

COMING NEXT:
A special programme, as a group of eminent thinkers including Archbishop Rowan Williams, Tony Blair, John Travolta and a catfish debate who will win in the other semi final between D.V.D. and Crash Bandi-Bot 3.

No, Paul, you mean knock his panels off. :proud: Drums arent supposed to shred titanium and hardox armour. Maybe aluminium but... :proud:

Edit: w00t! I won XD

(Message edited by kodster on March 26, 2008)

quote:

Seedings? Whats those?:lame:

Something I should have checked that you were having before entering something that cant do many trials:proud:

For the debate, my moneys on the catfish. Hes easily the smartest.

THE DEBATE:

Unfortunately most of our eminent figures appear to be at the Saudi Arabian kings Middle East peace barbeque, so we only have the catfish.

*turns* So, Mr. Catfish, who do you think will win the fight?

...

...

Catfish: ...Hello

(fight up in a minute)