If you want to see what true heart looks like, you only had to look at the skies over North Carolina this past weekend. We aren’t just flying birds here; we are witnessing the elite performance of avian athletes at the Tar Heel Classic One Loft Race. This is where the world’s best breeders come to prove their bloodlines under the steady hand of John Ward and his dedicated team.
The battle of Florence: Old Bird Series Hot Spot 2
On April 11, 2026, we released the Old Bird fleet into a triple threat of environmental chaos. This was a 176 mile sprint from Florence, South Carolina, that tested every ounce of navigational instinct these birds possess. The conditions were far from a Sunday stroll. We saw a Kp index of 4.0, which is the exact threshold where minor navigational impacts start to challenge a bird’s internal compass.
The thermal wall was just as tough, with ground temperatures hitting 84°F and 61% humidity. To make matters even more interesting, the birds started with a light westerly wind before slamming into a 10 mph northeast cross headwind for the second half of the flight. Pushing against that kind of resistance in the heat is exactly where champions separate themselves from the rest of the pack.
The champions of the day
Despite the unsettled atmosphere and that shifting wind, the lead pack showed us why they belong in the elite environment of Enfield. The speeds were impressive given the conditions. A massive congratulations to Lamons Family Loft, who put on a absolute clinic by taking three of the top five positions.
Lamons Family Loft clocked at 1534.75 y/min.
Youngblood Lofts followed at 1534.60 y/min.
Lamons Family Loft took the third spot at 1534.36 y/min.
Huan Loft came in at 1534.25 y/min.
Lamons Family Loft rounded out the top five at 1534.19 y/min
These birds didn’t just return; they raced with a vengeance.
The Tar Heel advantage: Science, care, and transparency
At the Tar Heel Classic, we don’t just house birds; we manage a sophisticated biological laboratory focused on health and performance. Every bird that trapped from Florence was immediately put on a recovery protocol designed to counteract fluid loss and rebuild muscle tissue taxed by the headwind.
The facility is a premier institution because we leave nothing to chance. We use high quality grain mixes from Versele Laga and specialized supplies from Vet Schroeder Tollisan to ensure peak metabolic efficiency. Plus, our partnership with the NC State University Avian Veterinary Center provides periodical health assessments that are rarely available to individual hobbyist lofts.
Transparency is our currency. Fanciers follow their birds with live video streams and GPS pin drops for every single race. We use the Benzing One Loft Race system, which is the global standard for electronic timing, so you know the results are accurate to multiple decimal places.
The post office is open: Your path to the 2026 glory
While the Old Birds are showing their class right now, the future for our young athletes is calling. I am thrilled to announce that the shipping window for the 2026 season is officially open. With the express mail hold lifted, now is the time to get your best stock to Enfield.
Our facility is strategically located along the I-95 corridor, providing an elite environment where every bird is treated like the champion it was bred to be. Here is what is on the line for the 2026 series:
A total prize goal of $300,000 based on 1000 paid activations.
A five race series that includes the prestigious Ace Pigeon awards.
100 individual prizes awarded for the Grand Finale.
The 350 mile Grand Finale is tentatively scheduled for November 30, 2026.
Ready to get them in the air?
Use USPS Priority Mail Express to ship your future champions to John and Linda Ward at 73 Tippette Road, Enfield, NC 27823. This is your chance to compete with the most elite breeders in the world at an event that celebrates the true spirit of the pigeon sport.
The sky is calling. Will your birds answer?
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
Contact John, for more information
