As I entered TAC Herentals I couldn't help but think of the lyrics of that famous Janis Joplin song: 'So oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?'. In this case however, it's Air Sport Internationale Ltd., organiser of South Africa's Sun City Million Dollar Pigeon Race, who does the buying and the lucky recipient is not Janis Joplin but four pigeon fanciers from the North of Belgium's main port Antwerp.

'Can I pick out anything?', asked Mark Dingemans with a broad grin on his face, eyeing a very nice convertible in TAC's expansive showroom. Unfortunately even at the Million Dollar Race there are budgets and limits to what can be done and what not. Nevertheless Jos Beyens of the independent Mercedes seller TAC Herentals had prepared a very nice model A for our lucky participants Jimmy Brands and Mark, Bert and Guillaume Dingemans. When their pigeon "Hoshi" jumped first through the trap at Sun City, leaving 3408 competitors in the dust, it was a dream come true for our four friends. (Read more about the winning bird here). Even with the tremendous results "Hoshi" had shown on previous training races, indicating super form, actual Hot Spot glory is what the four Antwerp fanciers secretly had hoped for but never believed would happen to them. That very Saturday, when I asked them to meet me at the National Show in Ostend for an interview and a photoshoot, Mark was so nervous because of "Hoshi"'s victory, that he was completely unable to drive a car.

This Saturday, 8 December, however he looked a lot more relaxed. Together with his father Guillaume, brother Bert and friend Jimmy Brands he took the time to pose for a number of pictures and proudly looked at the new Mercedes that was the prize for their Hot Spot victory. It almost made him forget they will receive 1000 USD in cash as well. Not to mention the publicity. Not only the specialized pigeon sport press printed pictures and articles on our four friends; their story even made it to the pages of a national newspaper with about a million readers. How's that for instant glory?

---from left to right: Mark, Guillaume and Bert Dingemans, Jimmy Brands, Belgian Coördinator Frank Daelemans and TAC's Jos Beyens

Enjoying a nice cup of coffee, presented by the ever hospitable Jos Beyens (not only a keen Mercedes seller, but also a fine pigeon fancier in his own right and a participant in the Million Dollar Race for many years himself - read about the exploits of Pinguin Syndicate here), Jimmy, Guillaume, Bert and Mark were talking about their future in this year's race. After two weeks relaxing "Hoshi" has meanwhile racked up another 57th and 342nd place. Enough to remain optimistic for the future. 'If "Hoshi" can keep up the pace we're in a great postion for the final race', says Jimmy Brands. The prospect of perhaps ending up as Million Dollar Race Ace Pigeon (good for another 5000 USD prizemoney) or winning the Knock Out (25.000 USD) also keeps haunting the team's mind. 'But it's still early, anything can happen', reality kicks in. Nevertheless, dreaming is nice. As I'm leaving TAC I'm dreaming of winning a Hot Spot myself. Perhaps, as National Coördinator, if I plead on my bare knees with Race Director Zandy Meyer, Zandy might let me choose that nice convertible.... (Dream on!).

Once again, congratulations to Guillaume, Mark, Bert and Jimmy and we hope they will enjoy their well deserved prize. For those who want to take a look at TAC's showroom and their extensive list of available cars: you can do so online by clicking right here.

Text and picture Frank Daelemans