17th South African MDPR 2013: Hot Spot Car Race 5 - loft report & video

As the pigeons bolted into the blue yonder without so much of a turn one of the spectators came up to Dave and exclaimed; I love the liberations, sticking his arm out for Dave to see, this one has given me Goose bumps! After a restless night Dave was relieved to see how the pigeons left for their 356km (223 mile) journey home. He later reported that the pigeons were experiencing typical final race conditions; a hot day with a direct head wind and an average speed above 60km per hour (38mph) would be good.

Why the world’s greatest pigeon race? Because we have the world’s greatest pigeons! Speculation as to the arrival time was being based on reports of other young bird races taking place. A fancier loudly proclaimed to loft manager Andre that we could expect the pigeons after 11 00 based on the speed those pigeons achieved. Andre retorted” those pigeons are not these pigeons! “How true were his words, with the clock barely past the five hour flight time a batch of about twenty appeared and making adjustments for the East wind landed. The speed the Million Dollar pigeons put up was a massive 40 meters a minute quicker than those contesting the shorter 203 km race and 80 meters a minute faster than the pigeons competing in a 357km race.

The first twenty pigeons over the clocks fittingly also each rewarded their owners for their confidence. Kuwaiti pigeon fanciers continue to excel and now deservedly add a Car win to their many fine performances: Mershed Jedova Alnamlan won the car in the fifth hot spot car race thanks to their pigeon M J 1. Germany were within a fraction of rectifying the dropped chance when an un-entered pigeon previously past the line first missed the Car. To finish second this time in spite of having eight in the first batch dashing for the line was probably a little cruel. The International Challenge rewards the first five countries with a 5000USD prize. That is exactly what happened as five different countries filled the top five positions. Talk about fierce competition! The fifth spot separated the highly successful Dutch combination of Jan Hooymans- Hu Zhen Yu from having their “Jasmin” joining their “Puch” for a second Car. One for each of the combination! The other Dutch star Koopman Racing Team also had a brilliant day with a great overall result and brilliant nomination race.

Slovacians Las Vladimir and Juraj must be over the moon with “Gabi l”. The only blot on this pigeons record is that he went “walk about” before the 4th HS Car Race and finished down the list but did enough to stay in the knockout. This week he was back to form with a second 3rd in this competition and once again scooped nominations to $500. Why the $200 race was not fancied is anybody’s guess. His winnings to date are around the $20000 00 mark- what a pigeon.

Horst and Frank Sander must also have had butterflies waiting for their good one “Ornat” as he too decided to spend a night out before this race. Their wait was not to long as he arrived in position 92 to be crowned 2013 Car Race Average Winner. Seventeen Countries have candidates contesting the Knockout competition and with Gabi L in the ring there is going to be great demand for ring side seats.

The order of the day is now going to be putting the finishing touches to the contestants and we have no doubt that you share our hope that none stumble over the small jumps they still have to clear. We thank you for the privilege granted us to work with your best and wish everyone good fortune.

Our special wish is that you don’t become a member of that infamous club of individuals who lost faith in their selections and watched them achieve on the final for either someone else or have the dreaded DQ before their name. Every pigeon that makes it to the final has intelligence, athletic ability and most of all courage. They are worthy of your, your family and friends support. Enter them before the 18th before someone else can.

Watch the video of the Hot Spot Car Race 5 here: