Meaning of 4 bird grouping competition in the Racing Pigeon Society

Definition

4 Bird grouping is an accurate measurement of the racing competitiveness of a competing pigeon loft against his fellow contestants’ lofts in his club, section, union, province, as well as nationally. The basic principal is that if one pigeon could be in a certain area at a certain velocity theoretically it was then possible for all entrants to have reached their lofts in the same time. The highest velocity achieved on that day, in a predetermined area is called n “Marker”

4 Bird grouping results are the average difference of a competing loft’s first 4 or 5 birds calculated in the difference of the relevant distances flown in the predetermined net flying time of the “Marker” by using the result of the “markers” net flying time, multiplied by the velocity of the measured competitor to determine the distance flown by the competitor in the time the “marker” achieved, to reach his destiny.

By using this method a loft in Musina can compete with a loft in Belville (as long as both lofts are competing within a +- 1500 bird liberation)

The one loft can be competing with a tail wind and the other loft a head wind, speed does not determine the winner, and it is the distance the first bird is ahead of the rest when measured against the fastest velocity from the same liberation.

Method and rules

1. What distance did subsequent birds travel during the net flying time of the Marker?
2. The “Marker’s” net flying time multiplied by their individual velocities and
3. the difference between the distance of the marker and the measured bird is referred to as “ the distance the measured bird was behind the marker at the time the marker was clocked”
4. The performance of the first 4 birds of each loft is calculated in this manner and the average of these 4 birds are then called the “ loft grouping”

The marker will be established by the highest velocity achieved in the controlling body in which the bird competed or section thereof if the controlling body has been so divided.

• Please note that all calculations used are based on the tried and proven results of current methods.
• This result is then divided by Net flying time in hours and again by 1000 so as to arrive at the distance lost in Km for every hour of flight

 

Kilometres lost per hour of flight. “KLPHF”

Velocity	Net Flying time	Dist flown in M	Dist behind	Avr 1st 4
Meters per min	in Minutes	In Win net flying time	Marker in M	members in Km
G SMIT
1106.51	434.8667	481186	0.00
1069.44		473076	8109.86
1048.28		461740	19444.64	12647.70
1041.48		448140	23036.32	1.75 Km LPHF
S Penny
1078.64		478009	3177.47
1068.14		472389	8796.84
1046.12		464941	14244.60	11920.84
1044.41		449720	21464.43	1.64 Km LPHF
J McPherson
1047.36		466604	14481.24
1011.69		442132	39043.96
1010.26		441367	39819.13	35184.82
996.13		433791	47394.94	4.85 Km LPHF
Pennylane Lofts
1066.37		471432	9744.38
1038.94		446734	24440.68
1032.29		443168	28017.84	23000.88
1028.96		441384	29800.62	3.17 Km LPHF

Result: The marker is G. Smit; best grouping is S. Penny,

 2^nd is G Smit, 3^rd is Penny Lane and 4^th is Mc Pherson

 

Application of the competition

Although the name indicates that the competition is related to 4 pigeons the 4 bird grouping method might be extended to 5, 10, 15 or 20 or even more birds.

 

Different application and competitions that the 4 bird grouping method can be used in are;

1. Interclub
   1. As per example above.
   2. Here you might decide that the “Marker” can be the best bird in the club.
2. Inter-section or Inter-control body
   1. The competing member may then compete in his own capacity within the section or as a member of his club against other competing clubs with in the section of their control body.
   2. In the event of an interclub competition the average of the best 4 members’ grouping will then be measured against the 4 best averages of competing clubs.
   3. The first 4 members can be seen as the A team (Chosen after the results are available) and the next 4 members as the B team and so forth.
   4. Clubs or individuals can then also compete against other individuals or clubs and control bodies country wide

The marker used could then be the best velocity in the section or regional control body depending on the rules setup for that specific event and as agreed upon by all competitor’s or as decide by ODRA

3. By using the above rules Odra will be able to declare a Provincial or National loft as a winner as well as the best club, section and Control body.
4. Interclub and Interprovincial competitions will be held.

This competition has been in development since 1995 but the collection of the relevant information has always been too cumbersome and tedious to maintain the excitement with results taking up to 3 weeks on manual calculations.

The arrival of the Benzing Live unit has made the results possible within seconds from the last competing bird being clocked.

Race distance flown of competing birds and lofts must be within 200km in distance for a specific event. The direction is of no importance but if a competitor in the Cape is competing with one in the Limpopo the distance of their races may not vary more than 200km.

Overnight races disqualifies the race.

In closing please remember the winners are not determined by the highest velocity but the competition results depends on the average of 4 or more birds calculated distances the birds travel in the net flying time of the “Marker”

Future developments

Odra is currently evaluating a handicap system to counter the devastating effect of a strong fancier in a club, with more resources such as quality stock, money, time and experience, has over a beginner or a less fortunate competitor.

Handicaps under consideration are;

• Increasing the strong lofts grouping to 8 or more against the 4 of the novice.
• Using n marker from a stronger competition. to calculate the professionals grouping, such as a union winner in a club competition and by using the club winner as marker for the novice.
• Clubs will be encouraged to use team names such as the “Nigel Eagles” or the “Bellville Flyers” so as to encourage team spirit.

In closing Please remember all interclub, interprovincial and national competitions are calculated simultaneously each Saturday and results can be made visual in clubs or pubs on the internet live as the birds arrive. You can sit and shout for your team (not that they can hear you) as vociferous and as loud as you wish, as the race will not be over until the last bird has arrived at his loft.