17th SAMDPR - 1st, 2nd & 3rd Training Flights

[willie reynolds]

INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
THE 17th SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE

RESULTS FOR PRE-TRAINING FLIGHTS 1, 2 & 3.

Finally, after many months of preparation the new 17th SAMDPR series for 2012/13 is off and running and there will be a total of 25 different races from varying distances taking place over the next three months, which will include 3 Pre-Training Races and 5 Car Race Hot Spots, plus of course the Final Race from 550km (342 miles) which is due to take place on Saturday 2nd February 2013.

Over the past couple of weeks two brand new items have been added to the state of the art web site and these are a fantastic hourly and daily weather conditions and forecast, plus a 7 day forecast at the loft site. Another new feature this year is an exciting live streaming video system which allows anybody around the world to actually watch the pigeons arriving at the lofts in Linbro Park, Sandton for all the remaining races during the 2012/13 race series. One of the advantages of this state of the art system is that anybody can pause and rewind the live stream so you can watch the first pigeons arrive over and over again. MODERN TECHNOLOGY AT ITS BEST AND YET ANOTHER NEW STEP FORWARD.

PRE-TRAINING FLIGHT 1 took place on Saturday 27th October 2012 from 39km (24 miles) and the basketing list on the official web site showed a total of 5,145 pigeons were basketed and this total was made up by 4,641 International, which included 478 United Kingdom and 93 Irish pigeons plus 507 South African pigeons.

The convoy were liberated at 07-45 in partly cloudy conditions with a light head wind, 18c (64f) and a good race was expected.

The OPEN race result was as follows and CONGRATULATIONS goes to Klaus Wuestefeld from Germany who took 1st Open with his pigeon named Superboy which was clocked at 08.23.27.81 to record a velocity of 1111ypm (38mph), 2nd went to Frank Locante from United States Of America, 3rd Ivan Dimitrov from Bulgaria, 4th Fassio Loft from United States of America, 5th Team SG Jung – Jupid from Germany, 6th Koopman Racing Team from Netherlands, 7th Ganus Family Lofts from United States Of America, 8th Marzaile Lofts from Canada, 9th Reiser u Meyer – Weitstreckenclub from Germany, 10th Stanislaw Jalowiecki from Poland, 11th Heinz-Bernd Schupp from Germany, 12th Ruediger Schoenau from Germany, 13th Bart en Nance Van Oeckel from Belgium, 14th Bader Al-Sanafi from Kuwait, 15th Rising Sun from Germany, 16th Team Sylt – Hansen from Germany, 17th Franz Kleinhans from Germany, 18th Jan Brkal from Slovakia, 19th Team Matilda from Australia and then 20th Ben Van Rooyen from South Africa. The time gap between the above 20 positions was just 1 minute 47.71 seconds and there was 11 different countries represented in this result, which was a great way to start the first Pre-Training race. A total of 4,814 pigeons were officially recorded up to 16-15 on Saturday, when a tremendous thunderstorm took place and prevented any further arrivals on the day, which left 742 still to return to the lofts. Sunday morning the late arrivals started to roll in and a total of 4,840 were in the lofts by Monday morning checking, which meant that 308 were missing.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st UK, 22nd Open was Team Thomas with pigeon named Asselby Prince bred by Jackson – Andrew – Kirby from Asselby which was clocked at 08.25.18.82 just 1 minute and 51.01 seconds behind the race winner, 2nd & 10th UK, 24th & 84th Open went to Manchester Maestros with two pigeons bred by Crehan & O’Connor from Manchester, 3rd UK, 54th Open went to O’Hare and Woodward from Middlewich, 4th UK, 57th Open for the Ultimate Collection with a pigeon bred by Mark & Dickie Evans from Whitley Bridege, 5th UK, 66th Open for Syndicate Lofts UK with a pigeon bred by Peter Fox from Bangor, 6th UK, 71st Open for Crammond and Langstaff from Fontwell, 7th, 8th &13th UK, 76th, 79th & 106th Open went to Mark Gilbert from Windsor, 9th UK, 83rd Open for Emerald Classic with pigeon bred by John Boyd from Ballyclare, 11th UK, 88th Open for David Hinkel from Wimbledon Common, 12th UK, 99th Open for Leeban Duo with a pigeon bred by L. J Leech & Son from Featherstone, 14th UK, 111th Open for Ashenden – Whipps and bred by J & A. Ashenden from Benfleet, 15th UK, 119th Open for McConnell – NFC Nom Saints, 16th UK, 123rd Open for Premier Stud UK Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 17th & 18th UK, 144th & 158th Open went to Paul Bamford from South Wales, 19th UK, 164th Open for the Paul Smith Syndicate, administer by Paul and with a pigeon bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon and then 20th UK, 171st Open for Lloyd & Kelly from Didcot. A total of 445 UK pigeons were clocked on the day, leaving just 33 still to return to the lofts. A further 5 homed on Sunday, leaving 28 still to return to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st Ireland, 155th Open was Mousies Dream Team with pigeon named The Deise Rocket which was clocked at 08.33.15.80 which was 9 minutes 47.99 seconds after the race winner, 2nd Ireland, 157th Open went to Philip + Mark Smith, 3rd & 4th Ireland, 178th & 190th Open went to Jos Reilly – Team Ireland, 5th Ireland, 348th Open to Paul Poole & Son and then 6th Ireland, 510th Open another for Philip + Mark Smith. A total of 92 pigeons were officially clocked on the day, leaving just one pigeon to return to base camp, which was still missing when the Monday loft check was done.

PRE-TRAINING FLIGHT 2 took place on Wednesday 31st October 2012 from 32km (20 miles) and the basketing list on the official web site showed a total of 4,855 pigeons were basketed and this total was made up by 4,390 International, which included 450 United Kingdom and 92 Irish pigeons plus 465 from South Africa.

The convoy were liberated at 06.55 in clear, fine and cool conditions with a very strong ESE head wind, with temperature of 15c (59f) and a good race was expected.

The OPEN result was as follows and CONGRATULATIONS goes to Quest Syndicate – Barker from United States Of America who took 1st Open with their pigeon named Isis which was clocked at 07.20.37.36 to record a velocity of 1354ypm (46mph), 2nd just 00.60 seconds behind was Guy Barrett OBE from United Kingdom, 3rd Familie Sosnik from Germany, 4th Defaulter Pigeon, 5th K Geldenhuis from South Africa, 6th Joe Ranieri from United States Of America, 7th Two Be One from United States Of America, 8th Toni Deigner from Germany, 9th Bader Al-Sanafi from Kuwait, 10th Myrtle Lofts – Evans – Walker from United Kingdom, 11th Team Ellenbroek – Seelen from Netherlands, 12th Manchester Maestros from United Kingdom, 13th Hamad Al-Swaq from Kuwait, 14th Barry Yu from United States Of America, 15th Gaddin Bros and Charl Stander from South Africa, 16th Defaulter Pigeon, 17th Karl-Heinz Stark from Germany, 18th Gerb Landewe from Netherlands, 19th Dr Alfred Piaget from United States Of America and 20th Bernard Smyth – Gordon Bros from Ireland.
The time gap between the first 20 pigeons was just 26.50 seconds and 7 different countries were represented in this result. A total of 4,630 pigeons were officially recorded on the day, leaving 225 still to make it back to the lofts.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st UK, 2nd Open went to Guy Barrett OBE from Horsforth with his pigeon named Horsforth Star, 2nd, 6th & 10th UK, 10th, 58th & 128th Open Myrtle Lofts – Evans – Walker with three pigeons bred by Mark & Dickie Evans from Whitley Bridge, 3rd & 13th UK, 12th & 149th Open Manchester Maestros with a two pigeons bred by Crehan & O’Connor from Manchester, 4th UK, 23rd Open Radcliffe and Hall with a pigeon bred by Steve Radcliffe from Skelmersdale, 5th & 12th UK, 35th & 144th Open Team Thomas with two pigeons bred by Jackson – Andrew - Thomas from Asselby, 7th UK, 77th Open Kelly, Van Boxmeer and Sparkes with a pigeon bred by Premier Stud from Patringham Haven, 8th UK, 79th Open Cheshire + Hall from Sudbury, 9th UK, 85th Open Ultimate Collection with another pigeon bred by Mark & Dickie Evans from Whitley Bridge, 11th UK, 131st Open Common View Lofts with pigeon bred by John Cooper from Pontypridd, 14th UK, 151st Open Paul Bamford from South Wales, 15th UK, 153rd Open David Hinkel from Wimbledon Common, 16th UK, 166th Open D. Gruzelier from Kempston, 17th UK, 172nd Open Lloyd and Kelly from Didcot, 18th UK, 175th Open Fenlands Lofts with pigeon bred by Darren Peters from East Heckington, 19th UK, 197th Open O’Hare and Woodward from Middlewich and 20th UK, 235th Open Pieter Oberholster from Keysoe. A total of 428 UK pigeons were officially recorded on the day, leaving 22 still to return to base camp.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st Ireland, 20th Open went to Bernard Smyth – Gordon Bros with pigeon named Penny which was clocked at 07.21.03.86 just 26.50 seconds behind the race winner, 2nd Ireland, 248th Open Safet Duran, 3rd Ireland, 274th Open Oliver Bond Flats, 4th Ireland, 362nd Open Lucas Lofts, 5th Ireland, 399th Open Moran + Bowden and 6th UK, 492nd Open Gerry Daly – Beaumont Lofts. A total of 83 Irish pigeons were recorded on the day, leaving 9 still to return to the lofts.

PRE-TRAINING FLIGHT 3 took place on Saturday 3rd November 2012 from 38 km (24 miles) and the basketing list on the official web site showed a total of 4,696 pigeons being basketed and this total included 4,242 International, which included 432 United Kingdom and 86 Irish pigeons, plus 454 South African pigeons.

The convoy were liberated at 07.40 in fine and clear conditions, light head wind and temperature of 18c (64f) and a steady race was expected.

The OPEN result was as follows and CONGRATULATIONS goes to Tom Sit from United States Of America who took 1st Open with his pigeon named Engs 5 which was officially clocked at 08.09.00.71 to record a velocity of 1456ypm (49mph), 2nd Team Fritz from Germany, 3rd George Oswald from Germany, 4th V and W Vahle from Canada, 5th Peter + Milan Wynants from Belgium, 6th Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 7th Defaulter Pigeon, 8th Club Des XX from Belgium, 9th Pauls Connections from South Africa, 10th Piexoto – Ribeiro from Switzerland, 11th Wolfgang Krause from Germany, 12th Hans and Evert-Jan Eijerkamp from Netherlands, 13th Josef en Frieda Van Damme from Belgium, 14th Abdulla Al Thani from Qatar, 15th Moons – Seiffert – Van Looy from Belgium, 16th Saad Al Abhoul from Kuwait, 17th Ganus Family Loft from United States Of America, 18th Koopman Racing Team from Netherlands, 19th Ernst – Acker from France and 20th Tony Loft from United States Of America. The time gap between the first 20 pigeons was 20.32 seconds and a total of 10 different countries were represented in this result. A total of 4,485 pigeons were clocked on the day, leaving 211 still to make it back to the lofts. The Monday morning loft list showed 4,575 pigeons had returned to the lofts, leaving 121 still missing.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st UK, 26th Open went to Paul Smith Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with pigeon named Olympic Rose which was bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon which was officially clocked at 08.09.24.81 just 24.10 seconds behind the actual race winner, 2nd & 7th UK, 45th & 86th Open Ultimate Collection with two pigeons bred by Mark & Dickie Evans from Whitley Bridge, 3rd UK, 50th Open Diamonds Are Forever Syndicate with a pigeon bred by Jackson – Andrew – Kirby from Asselby, 4th UK, 68th Open Myrtle Lofts – Evans + Walker with another pigeon bred by Mark & Dickie Evans from Whitley Bridge, 5th UK, 69th Open Gribbles Choice with pigeon bred by Phil Bond & Son from Torquay, 6th UK, 77th Open Aurea Dream Team UK with a pigeon bred by Mick Lewis, 8th UK, 107th Open Manchester Maestros with pigeon bred by Crehan & O’Connor from Manchester, 9th UK, 108th Open Lloyd and Kelly from Didcot, 10th, 14th, 18th & 20th UK, 130th, 149th, 201st & 209th Open went to Paul Smith Syndicate with four more pigeons bred by Jimmy Richards from Laindon, 11th UK, 140th Open for Kardale Lofts with a pigeon bred by Karen Newcombe from Macmerry, 12th UK, 141st Open Ticket Collection, 13th UK, 144th Open Wayside Syndicate with pigeon bred by I+D. Maddison from Hartlepool, 15th UK, 163rd Open Harbro Hellcats with pigeon bred by A. Duggins, 16th UK, 190th Open Lucky Devils Syndicate, administered by Paul Smith from Stansted Mountfitchet and with a pigeon bred by Jos Reilly from Dublin, 17th UK, 196th Open Mark Gilbert from Windsor and 19th UK, 204th Open Leeban Duo with a pigeon bred by L J Leech & Son from Featherstone. A total of 408 UK pigeons were officially recorded on the day, leaving 24 still to make it back to the lofts. The Monday morning loft list showed 422 UK pigeons were in the lofts, leaving 10 missing.

CONGRATULATIONS for winning 1st Ireland, 34th Open were Moran + Bowden with pigeon named Captain Chris which was clocked at 08.09.28.93 just 28.22 seconds behind the race winner, 2nd Ireland, 67th Open Hennie + Anette Kallmeyer, 3rd Ireland, 119th Open another for Moran + Bowden, 4th Ireland, 256th Open O’Donnell ABU Lofts, 5th Ireland, 360th Open Philip + Mark Smith and 6th Ireland, 531st Open Peter and Richard Curtin. A total of 83 Irish pigeons were officially recorded on the day, leaving just 3 still to return to the lofts. The Monday loft listing showed 85 Irish pigeons were still in the lofts, leaving just 1 missing.

The information listed above on all these winning pigeons was gleaned from the official SAMDPR web site and I can only apologise if this information is not correct at the time of compiling this press release. If any competing members want more information regarding the breeder of any winning pigeons or where they live then all they have to do is phone or email me and I will add this information to my database for future reference.

The remaining race programme will be as follows:- Training Flight 1 will take place on Wednesday 7th November 2012 from 50km (31 miles), Training Flight 2 (*) on Saturday 10th November 2012 from 50km (31 miles), Training Flight 3 on Wednesday 14th November 2012 from 50km (31 miles), Training Flight 4 (*) on Saturday 17th November 2012 from 80km (50 miles), HOT SPOT CAR RACE 1 (*) on Saturday 24th November 2012 from 125km (78 miles), Training Flight 5 (*) on Wednesday 28th November 2012 from 80km (50 miles), HOT SPOT CAR RACE 2 (*) on Saturday 1st December 2012 from 175km (109 miles), Training Flight 6 (*) on Wednesday 5th December 2012 from 80km (50 miles), Training Flight 7 (*) on Saturday 8th December 2012 from 125km (78 miles), Training Flight 8 (*) on Wednesday 12th December 2012 from 80km (50 miles), HOT SPOT CAR RACE 3 (*) on Saturday 15th December 2012 from 250km (155 miles), Training Flight 9 (*) on Wednesday 19th December 2012 from 80km (50 miles), Training Flight 10 (*) on Saturday 22nd December 2012 from 125km (78 miles), HOT SPOT CAR RACE 4 (*) on Saturday 29th December 2012 from 300km (186 miles), Training Flight 11 (*) on Wednesday 2nd January 2013 from 80km (50 miles), Training Flight 12 (*) on Saturday 5th January 2013 from 125km (78 miles), Training Flight 13 (*) on Wednesday 9th January 2013 from 80km (50 miles), Training Flight 14 (*) on Saturday 19th January 2013 from 80km (50 miles), Training Flight 15 (*) on Wednesday 23rd January 2013 from 80km (50 miles), Training Flight 16 (*) on Saturday 26th January 2013 from 125km (78 miles) and then THE FINAL RACE (*) on Saturday 2nd February 2013 from 550km (342 miles). ALL THESE RACES WILL TAKE PLACE ON THE APPOINTED DAY PROVIDING THE WEATHER IS SUITABLE FOR THE LIBERATION AND RACE TO TAKE PLACE, IF NOT THEY COULD BE FLOWN ON ANOTHER DAY WHEN THE WEATHER FORECAST WAS MORE FAVOURABLE. ONLY RACES OF 50KM (31 MILES) OR OVER COUNT TOWARDS THE ACE PIGEON AWARDS. ALL THE NOMINATION RACES ARE ALL MARKED WITH AN ASTERIX (*) NEXT TO THE FLIGHT OR RACE.

GLOBAL AND COUNTRY NOMINATIONS start on TRAINING FLIGHT 2 on Saturday 10th November and these can be added by entrants by going onto the official web site and then logging into their own AS account. GLOBAL NOMINATIONS are available at US$1, US$2, US$5, US$10, US$20, US$50, US$100, US$200 and US$500 categories. COUNTRY NOMINATIONS are available at US$1, US$2, US$5, US$10 and US$20

CASCADE CHALLENGE also start on TRAINING FLIGHT 2 and this is basically a “Single Pigeon Nomination” at a cost of US$10 (£6-50) per pigeon. Only one pigeon in each syndicate can be entered and to win this “Pot Of Gold” a nominated pigeon has to win 1st Open. If not then whatever is in the pot carries forward to the next Nomination Flight. As this CASCADE CHALLENGE was not won on the Final Race in the last 2011/12 race series, a sum of US$3,538.50 is the starting fund carried forward for this 2012/13 race series. GOOD LUCK TO ALL CONCERNED.

Of course before you can actually NOMINATION a pigeon or pigeons or put a pigeon in the CASCADE CHALLENGE you must have the appropriate funds in your AS account. So if you wish to have a bit of extra fun during the 2012/13 race series please contact your Country Shipper as soon as possible who will then pass your funds over to the race organisers so that you have enough funds in your AS account to have a little gamble.

***PLEASE DON’T FORGET*** ACTIVATIONS and PAYMENTS for your RESERVE PIGEONS needs to be done before the first CAR RACE HOT SPOT 1, which is due to take place on Saturday 24th November 2012. So please anybody that wants to ACTIVATE ANY RESERVE PIGEONS needs to get their payment to me on or before Thursday 22nd November. ACTIVATION FORMS will be sent out by post to all my entrants, please fill these in and return to me asap so that I can then get the appropriate RESERVE PIGEONS fully paid for.
Only ACTIVATED PIGEONS are eligible to fly for any of the US$100,000 Prize Money or Brand New Motor Cars allocated to each of these five races, plus of course you have the US$2,000 Two-Bird Average in each Car Race Hot Spot, US$5,000 Car Race Hot Spot Ace Pigeon Award, about US$40,000 International Country Challenge Prize Money, US$25,000 Knockout Prize Money and US$17,500 South African Race Grand Average Ace Pigeon Awards which has three cash prizes of US$10,000, US$5,000 and US$2,500. If your RESERVE PIGEONS are not ACTIVATED, then you will have no chance to win any of this Prize Money or the 5 Brand New Motor Cars. Take a close look at what is being offered to you, if you ACTIVATE A RESERVE PIGEON for US$1,000 and you then lose this pigeon or pigeons prior to basketing for the Final Race and this pigeon has not won any of the Special Prize Money or any of the 5 Brand New Motor Cars, you get this US$1,000 entry fee refunded in full into your AS account, which you can then use to purchase another RESERVE PIGEON or leave it in your AS account to fund another race entry at a later date. If you decide to request the US$1,000 (approx. £650) entry fees to be paid out after the race has closed, there will be about a US$15 (approx. £10) deducted which will be a bank transfer charge. If one of the RESERVE PIGEON/S you ACTIVATE goes on and wins one of the 100 US$1,000 Car Race Hot Spot Cash Prizes and then gets lost prior to the basketing for the Final Race, it has actually cost you nothing as you paid US$1,000 for it and it will have won you US$1,000. However, of course it could win you a lot more in Cash Prize Money and even a Brand New Motor Car or any of the other Special Prize Money allocated to these 5 Car Race Hot Spots. SO PLEASE DO NOT CAUGHT OUT BY NOT ACTIVATING ANY OF YOUR RESERVE PIGEONS AS IT COULD COST YOU A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY PLUS THE EMBARRASSMENT OF WINNING A MAJOR PRIZE AND THEN NOT BE ABLE TO CLAIM IT. EVERY YEAR FROM DAY ONE, FANCIERS MISS OUT ON WINNING MAJOR CASH PRIZES, PLUS QUITE A FEW HAVE MISSED OUT ON WINNING A BRAND NEW MOTOR CAR JUST BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ACTIVATE THEIR RESERVE PIGEONS. YOU REALLY HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE!

My annual 8 nights “TRIP OF A LIFETIME” to the race represents fantastic value and gives all travellers the chance to be part of the greatest pigeon race in the world today, whilst at the same time visiting South Africa and enjoying the warm weather and superb scenery.
Full details and itinerary were published earlier in the “BHW” pages 64, 65 & 66 and “RP” pages 17, 18 & 19 dated 7th September 2012. If you or any friends are interested then please contact me asap as all places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Because of the current high South African Rand exchange rate against the Pound Sterling, this trip is now being offered for over £445 per person less than in the original advert. This really is a great opportunity to take advantage of this fabulous holiday in the sun.

I would just like to notify fanciers that my weekly International Press Releases and Newsletters will all be published in our two weekly pigeon magazines, namely “The British Homing World” and “The Racing Pigeon”. Information will also be sent out to numerous other Web Sites:- www.regencylofts.com www.iprr.co.uk www.elimarpigeons.com www.pigeonportal.com www.cyberpigeon.co.uk www.pigeonbasics.com www.pigeoncare.nl
www.starpigeons.com and www.pigeonpixels.co.uk

If you have any questions or queries about any aspect of THE SOUTH AFRICAN MILLION DOLLAR PIGEON RACE, then please contact me on my home telephone number, mobile number or by text SMS or by emailing me and I will do my best to answer any of your questions or queries.

If any fancier in the United Kingdom or Ireland would like to receive my weekly International Press Releases and Newsletters by email, then all you have to do is email your request and I will add your email address to my database, then all information will be forwarded to you on a regular basis.

Paul Smith. United Kingdom Race Team Shipper & International Race Co-ordinator for The 17th South African Million Dollar (The Greatest & Biggest One Loft Pigeon Race In The World Today and also The Race With The Proven Track Record), which is due to be held in Emperors Palace, Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday 2nd February 2013.

Regency Lofts Limited, 2, Highmead, off Coltsfield, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. CM24 8LJ. England. Telephone/Facsimile:- 01279-812005. (Int. Code:- +44-1279-812005). Mobile:- 07860-568216. Email Address:- reglofts@aol.com Skype Address:- talbot7944 Regency Lofts Web Site Address:- www.regencylofts.com The South African Million Dollar Pigeon Race Web Site Address:- www.samdpr.com or www.scmdpr.com