The wait is officially over and the sky is calling for your best athletes. We are thrilled to announce that the Tar Heel Classic One Loft Race is now accepting shipments for the 2026 season. With the Express Mail hold finally lifted, there has never been a better time to get your birds on their way to Enfield, North Carolina.
A Legacy Built on Passion and Precision
The Tar Heel Classic is more than just a competition. It is a premier institution in the North American racing circuit led by John Ward and his dedicated team. Over the years, the Wards have built a reputation for excellence by creating a world class facility designed to isolate the genetic superiority of your pigeons through standardized care. Located strategically along the I-95 corridor, the facility provides an elite environment where every bird is treated like the champion it was bred to be.
Why the Tar Heel Classic Stands Alone
When you send your pigeons to our loft, you are placing them in a biological laboratory where health and performance are the absolute priorities. We don’t just house birds. We prepare them for the ultimate challenge using a sophisticated management model.
Every pigeon is under the expert oversight of the NC State University Avian Veterinary Center for periodical health assessments.
Our nutritional standards are set by industry leaders like Versele Laga and Vet Schroeder Tollisan to ensure peak metabolic efficiency.
Transparency is our currency. Fanciers can follow their birds with live video streams of all arrivals and GPS pin drops for every single race.
The Thrill of the $300,000 Series
The 2026 season is set to be our most exciting yet with a prize goal of $300,000 based on 1000 paid activations. This is a true five race series that includes the prestigious Ace Pigeon awards, identifying the most consistent athletes in the sky. Everything leads up to the 350 mile Grand Finale, tentatively scheduled for November 30, 2026, which will test the endurance and navigational heart of your best stock.
Shipping Information
Ready to get them in the air? Please use USPS Priority Mail Express to ensure the safest and fastest transit for your birds.
Shipping Address
Tar Heel Classic OLR
John and Linda Ward
73 Tippette Road
Enfield, NC 27823
Contact Information +1(732) 522.0542
Once you have shipped your future champions, please send them your tracking number so we can prepare for their arrival. This is your chance to compete with the most elite breeders in the world at a prestigious event that celebrates the true spirit of the pigeon sport.
Jan de Wijs
The Pigeon Boss
Contact John, for more information
