 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
EMPIRE CLASSIC LOFT
|
||||
|
2013 EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN One Loft Race 7 Race Series 8TH ANNUAL Hosted by Judy and Jim McInnes......Empire
Farm ______________________________________________________________________ ATTENTION A TOUS LES COLOMBOPHILES FRANCOPHONES....nous espérons voir plus de participants francophones à la course d'Empire Classic One Loft Race. Puisque notre site web est uniquement en anglais nous nous rendons compte que plusieurs de nos amis de langue française ne peuvent pas comprendre entièrement et clairement les règles et l'information au sujet des courses. Nous avons demandé a M. Gilles Paquette de traduire nos règles et l'information sur nos course en français. Veuillez communiquer avec M. Paquette pour plus d'information sur notre site web. Donc voici ces coordonnés par téléphone (613) 824 7385 ou par courriel gfls@rogers.com . Nous espérons que vous aurez une meilleure communication afin que vous participiez en plus grand nombre. Merci, Jim McInnes.
________________________________________________________________ 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, cherry, ash and cedar. A truly spectacular setting for 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 Triple Crown 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, our first year, 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. In 2010 we set a record, 84% of total entries were shipped to the main event. In 2011 we sent 75% of the total entries to the 310 mile main event. In 2012 73% of total entries went to the 315 mile race.This is a 73% average over seven years. Compare these numbers to any other large One Loft Race. Remember "if your bird does not go to the race, it can not win the race". Also compare our prize payouts compared to our entry costs ($200 per bird which includes perch fee) to any other large One Loft Races. You will not find a better "bang for your buck". We do not take a percentage of prize categories or position prize money. The detailed prize payouts are posted prior to the arrival of the birds. You can calculate your prize winnings without waiting to see what we send you. Training tosses, races etc are posted on our web site. We keep you informed with our Empire Classic "MESSAGE BOARD". Regular updates, news and Classic information is posted on the "MESSAGE BOARD" throughout the year. Check out our "MESSAGE BOARD" from time to time, starting now.
******** 2013 Empire Classic Triple Crown******* This is our 8th Annual Empire Classic, we have continued each year with very few big changes although we will make minor changes to improve and enhance your One Loft experience. Others have copied our ideas and format BUT that is okay with us because NOBODY DOES IT BETTER than us! Here are the rules for 2013: 1) All races will be CLOCKING ORDER, we do not use the drop system. 2) We use a TRIPLE CROWN format for our longest three races which will include the following three races, EMPIRE CLASSIC 300 km (180 mile), EMPIRE CLASSIC 500 km (316 mile) & EMPIRE MARATHON 600 km (380 mile). See details below. Distances are approximate and may be altered because of weather conditions at the discretion of Jim McInnes. 4) We also have a SPRINT SERIES of races which include 180 km, 180 km, 180 km, 220 km and 300 km (one of the Triple Crown races). We also will have a SPRINT AVERAGE. 3) We will crown a EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON and a SPRINT CHAMPION. (See details below). 4) There is only one way to enter, a 5 BIRD TEAM ($1000 plus applicable tax on perch fee only). ALL BIRDS on the 5 Bird Team are eligible for the Empire Classic 300 & the Empire Classic 500 (Empire Marathon 600 will have a separate entry fee, see below). This means there is NO ACTIVATION FEE REQUIRED. The perch fee is $375 plus HST per team which is already included in the 5 Bird Team ($1000 plus perch fee tax) entry fee. *****TOTAL COST of 5 Bird Team entries: ONTARIO, QUEBEC, NEW BRUNSWICK, USA...............................$ 1048.75 PER TEAM BRITISH COLUMBIA...............................................................................$ 1018.75 PER TEAM ALBERTA, MANITOBA, SASKATCHEWAN......................................$ 1018.75 PER TEAM
TRAINING: The training program will be a combination of loft flying and road training. We are experts at conditioning race birds through loft flying, training and feeding, our racing records in our own racing loft and in the past seven years at the Empire Classic proves this. Your birds will be in top form to show their racing potential.
SPRINT SERIES....(4 races)....180 km, 180 km, 180 km & 220 km. The first bird in each of these four races will win $500 plus a Classic medal and diploma.
EMPIRE CLASSIC 300 (180 mile): Based on 1000 bird entry. This will be the first of three Triple Crown Races and will be flown on or about Aug 26th, 2013. There is no entry fee for this race, it is included in your 5 Bird entry fee. We will payout 5 POSITIONS with the following prize money: (Based on 1000 entries total payout $ 2,825) 1st........$1000 2nd.......$750 3rd........$500 4th........$325 5th........$250
The birds in the first 5 positions in this race will receive a Empire Classic, custom made, personalized diploma. The first, second & third bird will receive a Empire Classic medal, engraved with the owners name and band number of the bird. This race will be excellent preparation for the Empire Classic 500. Exact date of this race will be posted on the Message board one day before race day, you are welcome to view the return of the birds but no "facilities" will be provided. Note: All available birds will be shipped to this race at the discretion of management (Jim McInnes).
EMPIRE CLASSIC 500 (316 mile): Based on 1000 bird entry. This is the main money race, all birds available will be shipped to this race. All birds from your 5 Bird Team are eligible for this race, NO ACTIVATION REQUIRED. We will payout 30 positions for this race as follows: Based on 1000 bird entry total payout $ 113,675 1ST........$30,000 2ND.......$20,000 3RD........$15,000 4TH.......$10,000 5TH......$8,000 6TH.......$6,000 7TH.......$3,000 8TH.......$2000 9TH & 20TH.......$1,000 21ST to 30TH........$500
The birds in the first 30 positions will receive a Empire Classic, custom made, personalized diploma. The first 3 birds will receive a Empire Classic medal, engraved with the owners name and band number of the bird. This will be the only race with prize categories and a loft prize. (see following details).
Prize Categories (formally known as Pools): All prize categories are paid out based on clocking order. Prize category sheets will be available prior to the Classic 500. Prize category money must be in our hands by 11 am on race day. PRIZE CATEGORY MONEY MUST BE PAID IN CASH OR CERTIFIED CHEQUE unless in our hands 3 weeks prior to the event. All prize category entries will be posted on the board for all to see before the birds arrive home. PRIZE CATEGORIES for EMPIRE CLASSIC 500: $10, $20, $30, $50, $100, Payout 1 prize for every 10 entered prizes) also $100 (One prize winner only). LOFT PRIZE CATEGORY: Each breeder can enter their Team in a Loft Prize Category, if entered before the shipping day the cost is $75 per team, if entered on shipping or race day prior to race the cost is $100 per team. This prize category will payout in three prizes, 50%, 30% & 20%. Note: NO TAXES on prize category money. NOTE: 100% of PRIZE CATEGORIES will be paid out. CLASSIC 500 SHIPPING DATE: Saturday Aug 31st, 2013 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. Complimentary refreshments and light meal will be available. CLASSIC 500 RACE DAY: Sunday Sept 1st, 2013 (or next favorable day). Come early to finalize your prize category selection, you have until 11 am race day. Complimentary refreshments and lunch will be served.
EMPIRE MARATHON 600 (380 mile): 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. This race will take place 2 to 3 weeks after the Empire Classic 500. You do not have to commit to entering this race until after the Empire Classic 500. 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 500. All 2013 EMPIRE CLASSIC ONE LOFT BIRDS are eligible ! This is an opportunity to test your Empire Classic birds at a longer distance. Your birds are already here, trained and raced to 500 km in the Empire Classic. We will continue their training and prepare them for the Empire Classic Marathon which is a distance of 600 km (380 miles). Test your breeding against the best under one management system and one loft location. ****BIRDS MUST BE NOMINATED AND ENTRY MONEY PAID NO LATER THAN SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH.
****COST : $125 per bird, includes $25 perch fee (plus applicable
tax on perch fee) ****EMPIRE MARATHON 600 birds will be released by themselves! ****EMPIRE CLASSIC MARATHON PRIZE PAYOUT: 1 prize for every 15 birds entered. For example 195 birds gives 13 prizes. Prize breakdown will be posted prior to the race. ****Entry money paid for birds entered in the Empire Classic Marathon but birds are unable to be shipped, $100 per bird will be returned to owner. (Shipping of birds at the discretion of Jim McInnes). ****NOTE: The Empire Marathon 600 will only be held if we have at least 125 birds entered. PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to begin training right after the Classic 500 the birds for the MARATHON 600 will start loft flying and road training shortly after the EMPIRE CLASSIC 500. All birds who have returned from the EMPIRE CLASSIC 500 will be trained whether they are nominated for the EMPIRE MARATHON 600 or not. We are doing this in an effort to hold the Marathon as early as possible to take advantage of longer daylight for our Marathon. We are not responsible for any EMPIRE CLASSIC 500 birds lost during the preparation for the MARATHON 600 race.
EMPIRE MARATHON 600 (380 mile) (based on 203 birds): TOTAL PRIZE MONEY:$20,300 1st: $5000 2nd: $4000 3rd: $3000 4th: $2000 5th: $1000 6th: $1000 7th: $1000 8th to 13th: $500 14th: $300 ****All prize money winning birds will receive a custom made, personalized Empire Classic diploma and the first 3 birds will receive a Empire Marathon medal, engraved with the owners name and band number of the bird.
SPRINT CHAMPION: We will crown a EMPIRE SPRINT CHAMPION which will be the bird with the least total flying time at the following 5 races, 180 km, 180 km, 180 km, 220 km & 300 km. We will provide prizes for the top three birds: 1st.....$1000 2nd.....$500 3rd....$250
****The top three birds will also receive Classic Medals and diplomas.
EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON: (Based on 1000 paid entries) The bird with the lowest combined flying time over the three Triple Crown Races (Empire Classic 300, Empire Classic 500 & Empire Marathon 600) will be crowned the EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON. We will provide prizes for the top 3 birds in the EMPIRE CLASSIC TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON competition as follows: 1st...$3,000 2nd...$2,000 3rd...$1,000
****The top five EMPIRE TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEONS will receive a Empire custom designed, personalized diploma and the top three EMPIRE TRIPLE CROWN ACE pigeons will receive a EMPIRE medal, engraved with the owners name and band number of the bird.
NOTE: If we DO NOT have a EMPIRE MARATHON 600 we will still crown a EMPIRE CHAMPION . This will be the bird with the lowest combined flying time at the previous SIX RACES, SPRINT 180, 180, 180, 220, EMPIRE CLASSIC 300 and EMPIRE CLASSIC 500. We will provide money prizes, diplomas and medals etc exactly the same as shown above......1st.......$3,000 2nd........$2,000 3rd.......$1,000
NOTE: If we hold a MARATHON 600 and award EMPIRE TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON prizes we WILL NOT recognize or give prizes for any EMPIRE CHAMPIONS ( combined flying time at Sprint 180, 180, 180, 220 & Empire Classic 300 & Empire Classic 500). WE ONLY AWARD ONE SET OF TRIPLE CROWN ACE PIGEON AWARDS and PRIZE MONEY.
Bernie's MASTER BREEDER AWARD:
Last year the MASTER BREEDER AWARD was a big success so we will continue with the same award this year. Now that more fanciers know how it works we should get very strong participation this year, here is how it works: When you deliver your 5 bird team to Empire farm you nominate ONE bird from your team to represent you as a MASTER BREEDER, you pay $100 (No Taxes) on top of your 5 bird entry fee of $1000 (plus HST on perch fee). How well you chose your bird will be decided at the EMPIRE CLASSIC 500 (clocking order at the EMPIRE CLASSIC 500 only). You do not need to win the race, you only need the first Master Breeder bird. We will award prizes as follows: 50% of your $100 will be given as a "winner take all" prize, the other 50% will be given out in 10 to 1 prizes (a prize for every 10 birds entered). Based on 100 MASTER BREEDER birds the payout will be: $10,000 (100% of entry paid out) in prizes...1st = $ 5,000......2nd = $1,000 3rd = $ 1,000.......4th = $ 1,000........5th = $ 1,000.......6th = $ 1,000. Bernie Bedard will provide a trophy or plaque to the MASTER BREEDER winner. GENERAL INFORMATION: WHEN DO YOU SEND YOUR YOUNGSTERS TO EMPIRE FARM? Birds must arrive at Empire Farm between April 1st and June 1st, 2013. ALL ENTRY FEES MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR BIRDS. Please make cheques payable to "Empire Classic". 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, ONTARIO Airport. We will make special arrangements for BC FANCIERS to ship WEST JET if they are having problems with Air Canada. PLEASE CONTACT JIM MCINNES ATTENTION AMERICAN FANCIERS! We would like to give our American friends the opportunity to participate in the BEST One Loft Race in Canada and perhaps amongst the best 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. 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 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 discretion of Jim McInnes. The birds will be given top quality grain mixtures supplied by BADEN FEED CO. The TUARIS electronic timing system will be used for recording training results and for the Empire Classic 300, 500 & Empire Marathon 600 results. Training flights and all races will be 'LIVE CLOCKING" on our web site with "WIN COMPANION". COMMUNICATION: Our main means of communication with our Empire Classic participants will be our web site: www.empirefarm.ca Please check our "MESSAGE BOARD" on a regular bases for ongoing updates. We will, as we have always done, provide a MAIL OUT PACKAGE, including all Race results and Ace pigeon Award results, financial account and summary and hopefully a cheque, diploma or medal at the conclusion of all events, TO EVERY PERSON who has entered the EMPIRE CLASSIC ONE LOFT. We will post our first inventory between June 1st and June 15th, if you are missing any birds at the time of the first inventory you can replace missing birds FREE of CHARGE but we must receive your free replacement birds within 14 days of the posting of the first inventory. By July 1st only paid entries will be allowed in the loft. Subsequent inventories will be posted, the training results will also serve as an inventory. NEWS FLASH...........ALL BIRDS WILL BE RETURNED TO THEIR OWNER AFTER THE EMPIRE MARATHON. NO AUCTION AND NO "BUY BACK FEE". Fanciers pay shipping expenses only. If a fancier does not want their birds returned other arrangements will be made at the sole discretion of Jim McInnes. Shipping arrangements must be made with Jim McInnes within one week of the birds final race. NOTE: If the owner of any 5 Bird Team entry does not have a bird available for the 2013 EMPIRE CLASSIC 500 you get a FREE 5 Bird Team entry for the 2014 Empire Classic (you pay 2014 perch fee and applicable taxes only). This credit is only available if there is a 2014 Empire Classic. Please note, in seven years running our race we have only had to provide a total of three (3) free teams. *******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. ALL registered businesses must, by law, collect HST or GST if the business has a GROSS ANNUAL REVENUE of $30,000 or more. Anyone in Canada not collecting HST or GST is breaking the law. After lengthy conversations with Revenue Canada I know exactly what is required of the EMPIRE CLASSIC regarding collecting taxes. Only a few Provinces have switched to HST (Harmonized Sales Tax), Ontario is one of those Provinces, others have kept the old system by not combining the PST (Provincial Sales Tax) and the GST (Goods and Services Tax), Alberta, for example, is one of those Provinces that have kept the Taxes separate. On top of all this the amount of tax, HST, GST and PST may also vary from Province to Province. What does this mean to Empire Classic and you?? Even though our business, EMPIRE CLASSIC resides in Ontario, if birds are sent to me from another Province I must charge the tax that is applicable to that Province. If the bird entry is coming from a Province that has HST (combined GST & PST) I must collect the HST that is applicable to that Province. If the bird entry is coming from a Province that has not establish an HST and has not combined the GST and PST than I charge the GST ONLY. For this reason entries WILL NOT include perch fee taxes since they vary from Province to Province. I also inquired about our entries from America, American entries will pay at the Ontario rate which is HST at 13% on the team perch fee ($375) only. 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 7 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 6 km on Hwy 2 to Hunt Rd, turn south on Hunt Rd to 184. PLEASE NOTE: If you are using GPS directions you must use CRAMAHE as the city instead of Brighton. 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. PLEASE no pets if staying at EMPIRE FARM. ADDITIONAL NOTES: 1) The Empire Classic birds WILL NOT be darkened, they will be kept on the natural system, however we have our own system to slow the moult so that the flights are in good position. 2) Sprint races 180, 180, 180 & 220 are one day races unless we get less than 50% on the day in which case they will be 2 day races. The Empire Classic 300, Empire Classic 500 & Empire Marathon 600 are 2 day races unless we get over 50% on the day in which case they will be one 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 arrived. PLEASE NOTE: If all birds are lost for any reason your perch fee ($75 plus applicable taxes per bird) will not be refunded. This includes loss of your birds through health, thief, fire etc or any "Act of God". If the 2013 Empire Classic 300 and Empire Classic 500 are cancelled for any reason your capitol entry (less perch fee and applicable taxes) payment (without interest) will be returned to you. If we race the EMPIRE CLASSIC 300 but not the EMPIRE CLASSIC 500 a portion of your capitol NET entry cost will be returned to you. The amount of the portion returned will be at the sole discretion of Jim McInnes. 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 ONE LOFT.
Help us make the 8TH Annual EMPIRE CLASSIC a tremendous success! "RESERVE YOUR PERCH "on line" NOW!.....NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED"
Your hosts, Judy and Jim McInnes. OUR EMPIRE CLASSIC FRIENDS
|
