FINAL UPDATE: - August 28, 2009


Hello Everyone

The time has almost arrived for the Canuck Classic Derby weekend, September 5, 2009.

To say the very least, this has been a very stressful year for the Derby Management.  The
losses have been extremely high and this has been the case for many other derbies as well
this year. 

At the beginning of the derby year management committee put extra birds in the loft as 
spares in the event a participant did not have any birds left of their own to compete in the
derby race.   Nine participants have no birds left in the loft at this time, and unfortunately
there are only four spare birds left.  In order make it as fair as possible, a draw system will
be used to determine who will have these spare birds assigned to them.  This draw will take
place the night of shipping, Thursday Sept. 3rd, 2009.  The participants involved are invited
to come to the North Road Club House to take part in the drawing.  Those unable to attend 
can designate someone else to draw for them.

Congratulations to Ken and Darlene Fraser who won both dash for cash races.  Congratulations
also to Dave Walker winner of the 140 mile sprint race and again to Ken and Darlene Fraser
who won the 200 mile sprint race.

                    DERBY DAY INFORMATION – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2009

** Parking will be at Couglin Hall, across from the club house.
** Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided free of charge.
** Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased from the bar.
** There will be raffles and 50/50 draws throughout the day.
** There will be a great selection of door prizes.  For each bird that you entered in the
     the derby your name will be entered for a chance to win a door prize, even if your
     bird does not make it to the final race.  However, YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN!
** Friends and family are invited to attend and even if you have no remaining birds, you still
     have a great chance to win with someone else’s bird. 

                    VIEWING AND BONDING

** Birds can be viewed Thursday, September 3, 2009 before basketing at 6:30 p.m.  Only
     owners, or a person assigned by the owner, may handle their birds when basketing.
** Owners may bond and pool either on Thursday evening or Saturday morning between
     9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
** Open pooling is between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.
** Calcutta will begin promptly at 12:00 noon.

Out of town owners are welcome to call the club house on Thursday evening or Saturday morning
At 606-856-3637.  If you cannot attend please make arrangements to bond and pool with Darlene
Fraser at 604-820-2899 or fax to 604-820-2833 or e-mail to nrrps@telus.net before Saturday.

We will look forward to seeing everyone on the weekend.

Yours in the Sport
The 2009 Canuck Classic Committee



UPDATE NO. 5 - August 20, 2009

The derby birds have had two tosses since the last update.  A short 20 mile toss was made on 
Monday August 17th  and a 75 mile training toss was made on Tuesday August 18th.

The weather was perfect and the liberator advised that the birds got away quickly and headed 
in the right direction.  The first 14 bird made the 75 mile distance in approximately two hours 
and another four birds arrived about 30 minutes later.  The rest arrived during the course 
of the day with 40 birds out of 52 before nightfall.  Another  six arrived Wednesday morning 
bringing the total to 46 birds home by Wednesday evening.

The results of the first race and the training tosses have been disappointing to say the least 
with the loss of a large number of birds to date.

The weather forecast for this weekend at the present time is looking good and we expect to send 
them on Saturday August 22, to approximately 200 miles.  This will be the second DASH FOR CASH RACE. 
Check the latest update of the participants list and if your bird is still in the loft you may want 
to enter the race.  This must been done on or before Friday night, August 21st.  The cost is $30.00 
per bird and the prize money is paid out to five positions.

If you have any questions regarding the Dash for cash race or any other matter, please do not 
hesitate to call me 604-856-2259 or e-mail me at Wbogue@shaw.ca.


Yours in the Sport


Bill Bogue


UPDATE NO. 4 - August 14, 2009

On Saturday August 8, 2009, ninety derby birds were shipped to the 140 Mile race station and 
released at 8 a.m. This was the first dash for cash race.  The weather was sunny and calm at the 
release point and at home the skies were overcast but there was no rain.   

For some reason the race turned out to be a very tough one and first two birds arrived home 
at 2:20 p.m., just over 6 hours flying time. This should have normally been a three hour flight. 
Nineteen birds arrived the first day and by 8 pm Sunday night only 46 birds had returned.  
Only two additional birds had returned as of August 13th.  

The winners of the dash for cash race are as follows:

1st - Ken & Darlene Fraser   
2nd – Pifers Canada  
3rd – John Koene  
4th - Rowin Team 
5th - Pifers Canada

The birds have been rested and loft flown this week.  The birds will be given some shorter training 
tosses during the next week to prepare them for their next challenge the SECOND DASH FOR CASH RACE 
which will take place on Saturday August 22nd  at the 200 mile race point. (weather permitting.)

Please check the participants list to see if your birds are still in the loft.  If you wish to 
participate in the next dash for cash race you may do so the night of basketing Friday August 21st. 
Out of town participants may enter their bird for $30.00 per bird by contacting Bill Bogue before 
shipping night, either by phone (604-856-2259) or by e-mail Wbogue@shaw.ca.

Yours in the Sport

Bill Bogue


UPDATE NO. 3 - August 05, 2009


On Tuesday August 4th the  derby birds were given a 75 mile training toss in the mountains.
The birds were released at 6:05 a.m. and the first drop of 22 birds were clocked at 8:13 a.m. 
After two and one half hours 54 birds had returned. As of 7 p.m. Wed. August 5th a total 
of 91 birds have returned. At this point 21 birds had not returned.

The birds will be loft flown only for the remainder of the week and will be basketed on Friday 
night August 7th for their first dash for cash race.

Please refer to the North Road Website for another update as to which birds are still in the loft.  

A print out of the clocking order of birds is available at the North Road Club House.

Unfortunately I have been unable to scan a suitable copy of the print out to put on the Website. 
Should you require information on this you may e-mail me  Wbogue@shaw.ca or call me at 604-856-2259.

All dash for cash birds must be nominated on shipping night August 7th to participate for the prize 
money.


UPDATE # 2 – August 02, 2009

Your birds have now had several training tosses and they have made one trip into the mountains.

The early tosses have seen most of the birds return as a group, however, one twenty mile release
was tough with birds returning one and two at a time.  This usually indicates that the falcon
has made itself known resulting in a number of losses.  

Their first training toss into the mountains turned out to be tough as well, with birds returning
all day and the next morning. A loss of nine birds resulted.

The next toss on August 4th will be even further into the mountains and will prepare them for 
the first dash for cash race August 8th from 140 miles.

With all the hot weather we have been having, the birds have been released as early as possible
in order to give the birds a chance to return in the cooler morning hours.  The birds have now
been fitted with electronic bands and a print out of the birds future training tosses will be 
available. Please advise if you are interested in entering the dash for cash race. The entry fee
is $30.00 (optional) and the payout is 40/25/15/10/10%.

An update of the birds still remaining in the loft should be available no later than Thursday,
August 6th. 

Yours in the sport,
Bill Bogue

UPDATE # 1 - July 09, 2009

On behalf of the North Road Racing Pigeon Society and the 2009 Derby Committee, 
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the flyers who have supported 
the Canuck Classic this year.

The total entry of birds this year was 158 birds and 15 birds were placed in the loft 
for replacements for participants who may be unfortunate enough to lose all their entries.

The birds have all been vaccinated for Paramyxo and for the most part the birds are healthy 
and have started flying well.  Unfortunately the flyers in the Fraser Valley have been 
experiencing a great deal of problems with hawks and falcons for some time now and 2009 
has been no exception.  The derby committee has been trying hard to protect your birds 
as much as possible from predator attacks, however, the birds have to fly out and as a result 
losses have occurred.

The birds have now been given their first training toss and will now face even greater challenges 
in the days to come.

The status of the birds still remaining in the loft has been determined as at July 8, 2009 
and will be updated as the training process continues.  Please refer to the Participants 
bird inventory which is available and can be accessed on the North Road website.
Inventory as of July 08, 2009

We will update the participants list in another 3 to 4 weeks after the birds have had more 
training tosses. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate 
to contact myself or any other member of the derby committee.
 
Yours in the sport,
Bill Bogue