John told me with pure excitement in his eyes about his recent meetup with James Huan of Huan Loft. They had some serious achievements to celebrate! During the grueling 450-mile Old Bird Grand Finale, the birds faced a true test of endurance, and the finish was nothing short of a thriller.
When the lead pack hit the sky right above the facility, it was an adrenaline-pumping 4-bird drop straight to the landing board. While Joe Zack’s champion bird managed to hit the electronic clock first, James Huan absolutely dominated the top of the sheet by clocking the next two birds back-to-back, securing an incredible 2nd and 3rd place! Because they came home in that tight, blistering lead group, they are all Equal 1st prize money winners. Dropping two elite athletes together at the very top of a grueling 450-mile final proves the unmatched caliber of the Huan Loft genetics.
But John isn’t just looking back; he is moving full speed ahead. James has officially handed over a powerhouse new team of 16 Young Birds to compete in the 2026 Tar Heel Classic One Loft Race this coming fall. If the performance of their older siblings is any indication, the rest of the competition better get ready!
The Arena: Racing the Historic I-95 Corridor
For those who aren’t familiar with John and Linda Ward’s premier setup, the Tar Heel Classic has rapidly earned its status as a highly respected institution on the North American racing circuit. Strategically located in Enfield, North Carolina, the world-class facility features a challenging racing route where the birds fly from south to north, running right along the prominent I-95 corridor.
This layout is a calculated choice by John. It forces the birds to fight hard against the unpredictable coastal elements and Atlantic crosswinds, truly testing their internal compass and racing heart.
Under John’s dedicated management, the stakes for the 2026 Young Bird series have never been higher:
Massive $300,000 Prize Purse: Fully based on 1,000 paid activations, offering game-changing payouts.
The Ultimate Endurance Test: A highly competitive five-race series that includes the prestigious Ace Pigeon awards to identify the most consistent athletes in the sky.
Breathtaking Grand Finale: A spectacular 350-mile final race tentatively scheduled for November 30, 2026, where a whopping 100 individual prizes will be awarded.
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Why This Race is 100% Pigeon Boss Approved
I do not give my personal seal of approval lightly, but John Ward and his team earn it ten times over. This isn’t just a standard loft; John runs an advanced biological laboratory where health, transparency, and peak metabolic efficiency are the absolute priorities. Here is why I trust it blindly:
Unprecedented Transparency: Transparency is the currency here. As a fancier, you can follow your champions closely every single step of the way with live video streams of arrivals and precise GPS pin drops for every single race.
The Global Timing Standard: The race utilizes the Benzing One Loft Race system, giving you clocking data that is accurate to multiple decimal places so you know the results are indisputable.
Elite Scientific Care: Through an exclusive partnership with the NC State University Avian Veterinary Center, the flock receives professional, periodic health assessments throughout the season to minimize biological risks.
Premium Olympic-Level Nutrition: The nutritional standards are fueled by global industry leaders Versele-Laga and Vet-Schroeder Tollisan of the Netherlands to ensure every bird can perform like a true elite athlete.
John’s Special Offer: Personal Bird Pickup Along I-95!
Now, here is the best news for East Coast breeders looking to get in on the action. John is heading out this coming Sunday, May 31st, for a personal bird pickup run up to New Jersey!
On his way back down, he is willing to stop anywhere along his route on I-95 South. If you are located in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, or anywhere right off the highway, you can easily meet up with John and hand over your birds directly into his climate-controlled transport. It is the ultimate opportunity to get your 2026 entries to the loft without any shipping hassle or postal stress.
Space in John’s vehicle is filling up incredibly fast. Call or text him directly right now at +17325220542 to secure your drop-off spot!
Stop searching, trust your best bloodlines, and let’s start winning together with John in Enfield!
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
