EMPIRE CLASSIC LOFT

2010 EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN one loft race

5TH ANNUAL

Hosted by Judy and Jim McInnes......Empire Farm
184 Hunt Rd RR4 Brighton On K0K 1H0 Canada
tel: 613 475 6052 fax: 613 475 6053
email: jimmcinnes@xplornet.com
Web site: www.eijerkampamerica.com

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We are located on the North Shore of Lake Ontario, 1 ½ hours east of Toronto and 1 hour west of Kingston. The area was originally settled by Empire Loyalists and is prime farmland although the urban expansion of Toronto is creeping closer each year. Our residence is a Victorian brick farm house built in 1846. Our wood lot boasts majestic oak, maple, white pine, ash and cedar. A truly spectacular setting for the lofts, our racing and breeding lofts and our Empire Classic loft.

As well as an ideal setting for your Classic birds, we offer a high degree of experience, skill and success in the management of racing pigeons. Our credentials and successes as racing fanciers and organizers of special events are well known across Canada and beyond. We traditionally have very few losses with our own racing team when others are experiencing heavy losses, a huge benefit for anyone entering our Empire Classic One Loft race.

We hope to make our EMPIRE CLASSIC WEEKEND a special occasion, not only for the winners but also for everyone attending. It will be a golden opportunity to meet old friends, develop new friendships, watch some birds race home and enjoy our complimentary meals and refreshments.

We are proud of our track record in managing the Empire Classic. In 2006 70% of the total number of entries were shipped to the Empire Classic 350. In 2007 a whopping 82% of the total number of entries were shipped to the Empire Classic 350.  In 2008 66% of the total entries were shipped to the Empire Classic 350. In 2009 65% of the total entries were shipped to the Empire Classic 350. This is a 71% average over four years.  Compare these numbers to any other large One Loft Races. Also compare our prize payouts compared to our entry costs to any other large One Loft Races. You will not find a better "bang for your buck". We do not take a percentage of pools or prize money.  The detailed prize payouts are posted prior to the arrival of the birds. You can calculate your prize and pool winnings without waiting to see what we send you. Training tosses, races etc  are posted on our web site.  We have video cameras inside the loft and outside the loft for your viewing pleasure, you can view your birds, on our web site, from the moment they arrive in April or May until they come home from the Empire Classic 350 and Empire Marathon 420. We also keep you informed with our Empire Classic "DIARY". Regular updates, news and Classic information is posted on the "DIARY" throughout the year. Check out our "DIARY" from time to time, starting now.

                           ********NEW THIS YEAR*******

               The first four years of the Empire Classic saw very few changes in the format. In the beginning the Empire Classic was readily accepted by most BUT after four years and an increase in the number of One Loft Races it is now time for some changes. In an effort to give the Empire Classic a "fresh look" we have initiated some exciting new changes, we hope you approve.

                1) All races will be CLOCKING ORDER, we will not use the drop system.

                2) We will adopt a TRIPLE CROWN format which will include the following three races, EMPIRE CLASSIC 200 (300 km), EMPIRE CLASSIC 350 (566 km) & EMPIRE MARATHON 420 (625 km). See details below.

                3)  We will award a EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON. The pigeon with the highest average speed (total time into total distance) over the three Triple Crown Races will be the winner.  This award will only be presented if all three races are flown (Empire Classic 200, 350 & Marathon 420), the winning bird will receive $5000. If we do not fly a Marathon 420 the $5000 Triple Crown prize will be paid out as prize money at the Empire Classic 350, as follows $200 will be added to the prize amounts of the first 25 positions.

                4)  There are two ways to enter, a 5 BIRD TEAM ($1000) and a 2 BIRD TEAM ($500). ALL BIRDS on the 5 Bird Team and the 2 Bird Team are eligible for the Empire Classic 200 & the Empire Classic 350 (Empire Marathon 420 will have a separate entry fee, see below). This means there is NO ACTIVATION FEE REQUIRED. The perch fee is $75 per bird which is already included in the 5 Bird Team ($1000) and 2 Bird Team ($500) entry fee. The entry fee also includes the 5% GST. 

TRAINING:

                 The training program will be the same as it has been for the previous four years. The birds

will receive approximately 20 training tosses including two or three tosses at the 120 mile (190 km) station. Unlike other years we will only have one OFFICIAL TRAINING RACE at the final 120 mile (190 km) training toss. The winner of the Official Training Race will receive $250.

EMPIRE CLASSIC 200:

                   This will be the first of three Triple Crown Races and will be flown on or about Aug 28th, 2010. There is no entry fee for this race, it is included in your 5 Bird or 2 Bird entry fee. There will be no pooling in this race BUT the winning bird will receive $500 and the second place bird will receive $250. This race will be excellent preparation for the Empire Classic 350. Note: All available birds will be shipped to this race.

EMPIRE CLASSIC 350:

                   This is the main money race, all birds available will be shipped to this race. All birds from your 5 Bird Team and 2 Bird Team are eligible for this race, NO ACTIVATION REQUIRED. This will be the only race with pooling and a loft auction (see details below).

EMPIRE MARATHON 420:

                    This is the third race of the Empire Classic Triple Crown. This race requires a separate entry fee and a minimum number of paid entries. See details below.

EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON:

                    The bird with the best average speed (total time into total distance) over the three Triple Crown Races (Empire Classic 200, Empire Classic 350 & Empire Marathon 420) will be crowned the EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON and will receive $5000. If we do not get enough entries for the Marathon 420, no Triple Crown winner will be declared this year. In this case monies set aside for the Triple Crown winner will be returned to the Empire Classic 350 prizes.

ATTENTION AMERICAN FANCIERS! We would like to give our American friends the opportunity to participate in the largest One Loft Race in Canada and perhaps the largest in America and to compete against the top Canadian fanciers. To this end we have made it very easy for Americans to send their birds to the Empire Classic. Simply mail your birds via US POST to our AMERICAN CONTACT, Dale Zehr, in New York (see info below). We will get the vet health permits (no quarantine required) and we will deliver your birds to the Empire Classic Loft. Best of all WE WILL PAY ALL EXPENSES, you just have to get your birds to our AMERICAN CONTACT. Give us a try, your birds will love our climate and race course. Our climate and temperatures are very similar to many parts of the USA. Spring time (when the birds arrive) temperatures are in the 60's or low 70's. During the summer temperatures are in the 80's or at least high 70's.

PLEASE NOTE: We are a legal, registered business called "EMPIRE CLASSIC". We abide by all Canadian laws, as such, we declare our profits as income and pay income tax on those profits. Our Canadian laws require us to charge and collect 5% GST (goods and services tax) on all bird entries and pooling. If the Canadian Tax laws (5% GST) change we will have to adjust our charges accordingly.

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CLASSIC 350 RACE DAY: Sunday Sept 5th, 2010 (or next favorable day). Come early to finalize your pooling.  Owners have until11 am on race day to pool their birds. After 11 am race day anyone else can take any pools not held by the owner.  Complimentary refreshments and lunch will be served.

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CLASSIC 350: 350 miles (approx) from the North course. We can get various types of races from the north. Sometimes a tailwind, sometimes a headwind but most often a side tailwind or side headwind. Most of the race course is bush land and lakes with the last 50 miles over farmland. NOTE: The Classic 350 will be released from the 350 mile (approx) station regardless of whether we have a tailwind or headwind. We do not shorten or lengthen the race based on the wind direction.

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CLASSIC 350 SHIPPING DATE: Saturday Sept 4th, 2010 at 1 pm. Owners can handle their birds before they go into the shipping trailer but you must be at Empire Farm by 1 pm. If you arrive late and your bird has been placed in the trailer you cannot handle your bird. We will hold a loft auction after the birds are shipped, 100% (less 5% GST) paid out to the winners. Loft auction proceeds paid out in three prizes, 50%, 30%, 20%. Owners can pre purchase their lofts for $75 (includes 5% GST) but must do so before the beginning of the auction. Complimentary refreshments will be available.

WHEN DO YOU SEND YOUR YOUNGSTERS TO EMPIRE FARM? Birds must arrive at Empire Farm between April 10th and June 1st, 2010. ALL ENTRY FEES MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR BIRDS.

CANADIAN BIRD ENTRIES: Empire Classic bird entries from Canadian fanciers can be delivered in person to Empire Farm or can be shipped by Air Canada to Kingston Airport.

AMERICAN BIRD ENTRIES: Empire Classic bird entries from American fanciers can be delivered by Air or in person or by US Postal Service to:

DALE ZEHR

10632 Jackson Lane

Carthage, NY 13619

USA

tel: 315 771 9081

email: zehrsloft@yahoo.com

Empire Classic organizers will handle getting the American birds across the border and we will pay the expenses for our American friends. You only have to get your birds to our "AMERICAN CONTACT" and we will get your birds safely to Empire Farm.

NOTE: ALL ENTRY and POOL MONEY MUST BE PAID IN CANADIAN FUNDS. ALL PRIZE AND POOL MONEY IS PAID OUT IN CANADIAN FUNDS.

Please make cheques payable to Empire Classic. NOTE: If the owner of any 5 Bird Team entry does not have a bird available for the 2010 Empire Classic 350 you get a FREE 5 Bird Team entry for the 2011 Empire Classic (you pay 2011 perch fee and GST only). This credit is only available if there is a 2011 Empire Classic.

PRIZE MONEY EMPIRE CLASSIC 350 (based on 414 birds) :

1ST prize.........$18,000   2^ND prize.....$8,000   3^RDprize.....$4,000

4^TH prize.....$1,500       5^TH .....$750     6^TH to 12TH prize....$500

13TH to 31st prize.......... $250, 32nd.....$75

NOTE: The prize payout may be adjusted at the discretion of Jim McInnes, however 100% of capitol will be paid out and the prize list will be posted prior to the arrival of the birds.

POOLS: All pools are paid out based on clocking order. Pool sheets will be available prior to the Classic 350. Pool money must be in our hands by 11 am on race day. POOL MONEY MUST BE PAID IN CASH OR CERTIFIED CHEQUE unless in our hands 3 weeks prior to the event. After 11 am race day and before 12 noon race day any person can pool birds in the pool category that has not been taken by the owner. All pools will be posted on the board for all to see before the birds arrive home.

POOLS for EMPIRE CLASSIC 350: $10, $20, $30, $50, $100,  at 10 to 1 payout.

also $100 winner take all pool.

Note: There will be a 13% HST (Harmonized sales tax) charged on all pooling.

NOTE: 100% of Pools (less 13% HST) will be paid out.

EMPIRE CLASSIC MARATHON 420: This race will take place 3 weeks after the Empire Classic 350. You do not have to commit to entering this race until after the Empire Classic 350. There will be a completely separate fee charged for this race which will go toward expenses and prize money. This fee will be payable within one week after the Empire Classic 350.

EMPIRE CLASSIC MARATHON PRIZE PAYOUT: 1 prize for every 15 birds entered. For example 150 birds gives 10 prizes, 225 birds gives 15 prizes etc. Prize breakdown will be posted on our site prior to the race.

EMPIRE MARATHON 420 (based on 200 birds):

1st: $5000   2nd: $3000   3rd: $2000   4th: $1000   5th & 6th: $1000

7th, 8th, 9th & 10th: $750   11th to 14th: $500

AUCTION OF RACE BIRDS: The top 25 birds in the EMPIRE CLASSIC 350 and the top 15 birds in the EMPIRE CLASSIC MARATHON 420 and the Empire Classic Triple Crown Ace Pigeon will be auctioned on the internet and the net proceeds will be paid out as follows: 40% to owner, 40% to handler and 20% to the Cancer Society.

Please note: Owners of auction birds will be required to provide an acceptable pedigree, anyone not providing a pedigree when required will forfeit their share (40%) of the net auction proceeds, their proceeds will go to the Cancer Society. The auction will take place after the Empire Classic Marathon 420 which means the top 25 birds in the Empire Classic 350 are eligible to enter the Empire Classic Marathon 420 and will then be placed in the auction if they return from the Marathon. All additional birds will be returned to their owners, if desired, at the owners expense. Birds not claimed will be removed at the discretion of Empire Classic organizers.

MANAGEMENT of EMPIRE CLASSIC BIRDS:

Classic birds will be managed by Judy and Jim McInnes. The care, training and management of the Empire Classic birds is at the sole decretion of Jim McInnes. The birds will be given top quality grain mixtures supplied by BADEN FEED CO. The Empire Classic birds will be maintained on the HEALTH GUARD program and products. The UNIKON electronic timing system will be used for recording training results and for the Empire Classic 200, 350 & Empire Marathon 420 results.

COMMUNICATION:

Our main means of communication with our Empire Classic participants will be our web site: www.empirefarm.ca  Please check our "DIARY" on a regular bases for ongoing updates.

We will provide our first inventory about June  20th when all birds are settled and flyer out of the loft. Subsequent inventories will be posted, the training results will also serve as an inventory.

DIRECTIONS to EMPIRE FARM:

Travelers from the west take 401 and exit 497 (The Big Apple), turn south to the village of Colborne and turn east on Hwy 2. Travel 6 km on Hwy 2 to Hunt Rd, turn south on Hunt Rd to 184. Travelers from the east take 401 and exit 509 (Hwy 30), turn south into the village of Brighton and turn west on Hwy 2. Travel 5 km on Hwy 2 to Hunt Rd, turn south on Hunt Rd to 184.

PLACES to STAY during the CLASSIC:

A variety of accommodations are available for our out of town guest. There are a number of excellent “Bed and Breakfast” establishments as well as a small motel in the immediate area. About ½ hour away are a selection of larger hotels.

For the camping enthusiast the Presqu’ile Provincial Park is nearby. If you need more info give us a call. Our parking area at Empire Farm can also accommodate motor homes, campers and tents, if anyone wants to stay right at the site of the Empire Classic you can. Portable toilets and sinks are onsite but there are no electrical hookups.

NOTE:

The EMPIRE CLASSIC organizers will settle any disputes that may arise and their decision will be final. The EMPIRE CLASSIC organizers reserve the right to prohibit any individual or group of individuals from participation in the Empire Classic. All birds entered in the Empire Classic One Loft will be considered the property of the person entering the birds, any dispute regarding ownership of the birds must be settled by the person entering the birds and the rightful owner, Empire Classic organizers are not responsible for settling ownership issues. Judy and Jim McInnes, Empire Farm  WILL NOT have birds competing in the EMPIRE CLASSIC.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

1) The Empire Classic birds WILL NOT be darkened, they will be keep on the natural system.

2) The Empire Classic 200, Empire Classic 350 & Empire Marathon 420 are 2 day races. If there are no birds home in 2 days the race will be extended another day and continue extending by one day at a time until we get at least one bird home. When we do get a bird home the race will stay open until 11 pm on the day the first bird returns.

PLEASE NOTE:

If your birds are lost for any reason your perch fee ($75 plus 5% GST  PER BIRD) will not be refunded. This includes loss of your birds through health, thief, fire etc or any "Act of God". If the 2010 Empire Classic 350 is cancelled for any reason your capitol entry payment (without interest) will be returned to you.

Help us make the 5TH Annual EMPIRE CLASSIC a tremendous success!

"RESERVE YOUR PERCH NOW!.....NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED"

Your hosts, Judy and Jim McInnes.

OUR EMPIRE CLASSIC FRIENDS