Australian Grand Prix - Sporting - Australia (April 2008)

Registration closed

Sporting

1 targets

Participants

0 /100

Start

Apr 19, 2008, 10:00

Europe/Kiev (UTC+3)

End

Apr 20, 2008, 10:00

Europe/Kiev (UTC+3)

Until competition start

0 days

Location

Balliang East, Australia

Status

Registration closed

Actions

Results

About competition

The 2008 FITASC Sporting Grand Prix of Australia was a world-class international clay target shooting tournament held on April 19th and April 20th, 2008. Serving as an elite early-season fixture in the Southern Hemisphere on the global competitive calendar, this high-stakes two-day championship gathered top-tier Australian marksmen, New Zealand competitors, and international squads to compete in the main Sporting discipline (Parcours de chasse). The tournament was proudly hosted at the prestigious facilities of the Geelong Clay Target Club in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

Event Highlights & Operational Parameters

Operating under the highest international framework of global target sports, this Australian Grand Prix paired Victoria's rich shooting culture with strict international regulations:

Sanctioning Architecture: The competition operated under the direct international authority of FITASC (Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse), in close coordination with Sporting Clays Australia (SCA), certifying that all multi-field course configurations, target trajectories, and firearm compliance parameters conformed to strict global tier-1 standards.
Global Ranking Leg: Staged as an active, point-scoring qualification match, this event functioned as a crucial early-season leg for athletes accumulating points toward the annual international Beretta FITASC Cups circuit and the worldwide ranking standings.
The Coastal Veld & Bushland Challenge: Situated near Port Phillip Bay, the host facility utilized natural open grasslands, native eucalyptus tree lines, and sweeping coastal winds to present highly realistic, deceptive hunting simulations. Shifting autumn weather and low-angle sunlight tested the visual tracking, footwork, and mental focus of international squads.

1. Full Event Program & Schedule

The high-stakes tournament timeline concentrated the intense technical qualification rounds across the weekend, preceded by official preparation windows:

April 17th – April 18th (Thursday – Friday): Arrival of international and domestic delegations, squadding confirmation, processing of Australian temporary firearm import permits, official shooter registry check-in, weapon safety compliance verifications, and open training lines on designated sporting tracks.
April 19th (Saturday) — Grand Prix Day One: Phase 1 of the official qualification flights opens across specialized multi-stand layouts, challenging shooters with diverse target speeds, vertical angles, and trajectory patterns under variable Victorian skies.
April 20th (Sunday) — Grand Prix Final Day: Concluding qualification flights, followed immediately by high-stakes, sudden-death international tie-breaking shoot-offs (barrages) to determine the definitive individual and category podium positions.
April 20th (Sunday) — Official Awards and Closing Ceremony: Staged late Sunday afternoon to honor individual, category, and national team winners, officially concluding the 2008 Australian Grand Prix.

2. Venue Profile & Logistical Location Details

All tournament operations, specialized shooting tracks, and official administrative bureaus were hosted at one of Victoria's premier clay target facilities:

Host Venue: Geelong Clay Target Club 1 Collins Road, Lara (Geelong), Victoria 3212, Australia

Located near the scenic You Yangs region just north of Geelong and approximately an hour from Melbourne, the Geelong Clay Target Club is internationally recognized for its outstanding infrastructure and challenging layouts. Featuring extensive target thrower automation set against wide-open horizons and timber backdrops, the venue provides a fair, highly technical, and memorable arena for global championship competition.

3. Organizing Committee & Registration Framework

Administrative operations and international competitor registries followed strict timeline allocations managed through the global governing body and its national affiliate:

National Coordinating Partner: Sporting Clays Australia (SCA) / Australian Clay Target Association (ACTA)
International Sanctioning Oversight: Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse (FITASC)

Shooting Ground

Geelong Clay Target Club

Balliang East, Australia

Geelong Clay Target Club, located in the Little River region, is a premier, highly equipped shooting facility affiliated with the ACTA and VCTA. Known for its excellent infrastructure, the club caters to a wide demographic, ranging from beginners looking to try the sport to elite professional teams preparing for international competitions. A key historical highlight of the venue is its reputation for perfect visual geometry; it is the site where Olympic champion Russell Mark set an unprecedented national record in 1990 by hitting 288 consecutive Double Rise targets.

The club boasts extensive, automated facilities designed to support multiple shooting disciplines. The open, flat terrain and varying wind conditions create challenging, unpredictable target trajectories that are highly valued by professional athletes for honing their reflexes. Key facility features include:

4 Down the Line (DTL) traps, an ISSF Olympic Trap, a Skeet layout, and 5 Stand Sporting Clays setups.
A dedicated practice area featuring at least 5 automated machines that offer varying target difficulties.
A spacious clubhouse with a fully catered canteen, a bar, and an on-site ammunition store.
Strict environmental protocols, including the use of mechanized sweepers for collecting spent wads.

Training at the club is structured to accommodate all skill levels, with a particular focus on accessibility and safety. Beginners can utilize the practice stands and receive comprehensive instruction without needing a prior firearms license. During these coached sessions, all necessary equipment—including club shotguns, hearing protection, safety glasses, and shooting vests—is provided completely free of charge. The club's coaching network also includes ISSF 'A' class instructors, ensuring top-tier skill development for advanced shooters.

Geelong Clay Target Club is an active hub for the local and state shooting community, regularly hosting ratings tournaments, corporate events, and family-friendly days. The venue is highly versatile and fits several key audiences:

Novices and Families: Offers a safe, low-barrier entry environment with free protective gear and professional coaching.
Professional Athletes: World-class Olympic layouts combined with complex wind conditions provide an ideal training ground.
Corporate Groups and Teams: The large infrastructure and catered clubhouse make it a popular choice for team-building events and group bookings.

To ensure the sport remains accessible, the club maintains an affordable pricing structure for both practice and professional events. Standard practice rounds are priced at $12.50 for 25 targets, or $5.00 for a shorter 10-target session. On competition days, the full tournament entry fee is $70.00 for adults, $60.00 for ladies and veterans, and $40.00 for juniors, with a $2.00 optional jackpot.

Working Hours:

Monday – Thursday: Closed (available only for pre-arranged corporate or group bookings).
Friday: Open for scheduled practice sessions.
Saturday – Sunday: Open for competition events (DTL and Skeet competitions are typically held on the second Saturday of the month) and arranged weekend practice.

444 Moretons Road, Balliang East, VIC 3340, Australia

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Website

www.facebook.com/GeelongCTC

Source: fitasc.com