Canada

Seems we've been doing a lot of tribute posts lately. Today would have been Big Tex's Birthday.
This one hits a bit closer to home. His presence is missed almost every time I log into NS.

Willie Nelson - My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
https://youtu.be/TSQRXrWGtZg?si=gA-ffXP4rzufcXaC

Happy Trails: Roy Rodgers and Dale Evens
https://youtu.be/oG_fSoYFWLA?si=dEzVrsL5VyvU9nk6

​Grief isn't about physical proximity; it's about presence.
-Anonymous

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."
-Winnie The Pooh

I've always enjoyed the Thomas Campbell quote, "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."

I have finally updated the dispatch for our musical road trip, including the honorable mentions (HM) that are currently posted.

Formula 1

The Spanish GP is being held at an all-new circuit near Madrid. It is a very challenging track to drive, with hard barriers set close-in. 0vertaking will be difficult. The track is also high-degradation, with the effect that it is a close call between 1 or 2 stop strategies and the one-stoppers in particular are likely to be nursing their tyres in the opening stages,

Qualifying
Norris put in an excepcional lap late on to claim pole position. Russell's run of being slightly off form continues. Lawson did well to claim 8th just 0.35s behind Verstappen in 3rd.

1 Lando Norris (McLaren)
2 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
3 Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
4 Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
5 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
6 George Russell (Mercedes)
7 Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
8 Liam Lawson (Red Bull)
9 Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
10 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

11 Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
12 Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
13 Esteban Ocon (Haas)
14 Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
15 Yuki Tsunoda(Racing Bulls)
16 Alexander Albon (Williams)

17 Carlos Sainz (Williams)
18 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
19 Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
20 Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
21 Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
22 Oliver Bearman (Haas)

Race result
1 Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 25
2 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 18
3 Lando Norris (McLaren) 15
4 Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 12
5 George Russell (Mercedes) 10
6 Liam Lawson (Red Bull) 8
7 Franco Colapinto (Alpine) 6
8 Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 4
9 Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) 2
10 Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) 1

11 Esteban Ocon (Haas)
12 Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
13 Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
14 Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls)
15 Alexander Albon (Williams)
16 Oliver Bearman (Haas)
17 Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
18 Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)

DNF Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
DNF Carlos Sainz (Williams)
DNF Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
DNF Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
Norris led from the start, but had bad luck when a VSC was called on lap 15 just after he had passed the pit lane entrance. Antonelli and Verstappen took advantage, but Norris had to complete his lap before he could come in, and the VSC expired. The team then also produced a poor stop and he came out in 5th. He recovered well to take 3rd but it was a race he could otherwise have won.

Colapinto did well and helped Alpine close the gap to Racing Bulls in the battle for 5th.

While it is mathematically possible for others yo win. Antonelli and Mercedes effectively have the championships sewn up.

hey all. i just wanna say im quite fond of the regional flag. this is sick.