Grand Prix of South Africa - Compak Sporting - South Africa (September 2008)

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Compak-Sporting

1 targets

Participants

0 /100

Start

Sep 20, 2008, 02:00

Africa/Maputo (UTC+2)

End

Sep 21, 2008, 02:00

Africa/Maputo (UTC+2)

Until competition start

0 days

Location

Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

Status

Registration closed

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Results

About competition

The 2008 FITASC Compak Sporting Grand Prix of South Africa was a premier international clay target shooting competition held on September 20th and 21st, 2008. Serving as a standout late-summer fixture in the Southern Hemisphere, this prestigious two-day tournament gathered elite South African marksmen and prominent international competitors to contest the highly dynamic, fast-paced Compak Sporting discipline. The championship was hosted at the world-class and scenic Hippo Creek Shooting Centre in Gauteng, South Africa.

Event Highlights & Structural Parameters

Operating under the official international framework of the 2008 global target shooting calendar, this Grand Prix combined South Africa's deep 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 Compak South Africa and the CTSASA (Clay Target Shooting Association of South Africa), certifying that all multi-field layouts, target flight trajectories, and weapon 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 critical leg for athletes accumulating points toward the annual international Beretta FITASC Cups circuit and the worldwide ranking standings.
Technical Layout Presentation: Built specifically to meet demanding international shotgun standards, the host facility presented creative and diverse target profiles. Shooters were challenged by rapid-fire double presentations, tricky vertical windows, and variable wind currents sweeping across the open South African veld.

1. Full Event Program & Schedule

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

September 18th – September 19th (Thursday – Friday): Arrival of international and domestic delegations, squadding confirmation, official shooter registry check-in, weapon safety compliance verifications, and open training lines on designated Compak layouts.
September 20th (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.
September 21st (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.
September 21st (Sunday) — Official Awards and Closing Ceremony: Staged late Sunday afternoon to honor individual, category, and national team winners, officially concluding the 2008 South African Grand Prix.

2. Venue Profile & Logistical Location Details

All tournament operations, specialized shooting stands, and official administrative offices were hosted by a world-class South African sporting complex:

Host Venue:

Hippo Creek Shooting Centre

Portion 53, Zeekoeifontein 573 IQ,

Vanderbijlpark, Gauteng, South Africa

(Conveniently situated just an hour’s drive south of Johannesburg and O.R. Tambo International Airport)

The Hippo Creek Shooting Centre is widely celebrated as one of the finest shooting installations on the African continent. Nestled on the rim of the world-renowned Vredefort Dome heritage site with the Vaal River flowing nearby, the venue combines natural beauty with premier technical sporting facilities. Equipped with an excellent clubhouse, catering services, and state-of-the-art automated trap throwers, it provides an outstanding arena for international tournament play.

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: Compak South Africa / Clay Target Shooting Association of South Africa (CTSASA)
International Sanctioning Oversight: Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse (FITASC)

Shooting Ground

Hippo Creek Shooting Centre

Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

Hippo Creek Shooting Centre is a premium, world-class multi-disciplinary shooting venue situated in the Gauteng province of South Africa, approximately 75 km south of Johannesburg. Located on the edge of the Vredefort Dome—a renowned meteorite crater and UNESCO World Heritage site—and along the Vaal River, the center offers a breathtaking backdrop paired with a highly unique microclimate. This specific geography generates challenging thermal updrafts and switching winds, making it a premier destination that tests the limits of elite global competitors while still providing excellent outdoor recreation for families and corporate groups.

The venue's infrastructure is exceptional, initially built to meet international shotgun standards and later expanded to accommodate precision rifle and handgun shooters. Key facility highlights include:

Target Ranges: 10 permanent shotgun/clay target disciplines equipped with high-tech Promatic machines and Eurotarget clays.
The Tower: A monumental 56-meter-high target-launching tower outfitted with three directional machines (facing north, east, and west) to simulate extreme, high-altitude bird flights.
Rifle Capabilities: Dedicated Precision Rifle Series (PRS) ranges with targets out to 443 meters, and Extreme Long Range (ELR) setups where shooters engage targets beyond 4,000 meters.
Clubhouse & Amenities: A fully licensed clubhouse featuring catering, a bar, a large function hall, a lapa/braai area, big screens for sports, and an on-site gunshop.

Hippo Creek is a bustling hub for both professional competitions and training. It regularly hosts prestigious international and national tournaments, such as the FITASC Compak Sporting World and African Championships, the Beretta Gold Cup South Africa, and the PRS South Africa Finale. For those looking to improve their skills, the center offers access to highly experienced shotgun and rifle training coaches. These training programs cater to all levels, from beginners learning fundamental firearm safety to elite shooters preparing for high-stress matches.

Because of its immense versatility, the shooting center perfectly accommodates a wide array of visitors:

Professional Athletes: World-class FITASC, PRS, and ELR shooters who require complex wind conditions and certified ranges for their tournaments.
Corporate Teams: Companies frequently use the venue for team-building events, taking advantage of the large function hall, diverse shooting activities, and catering services.
Families & Beginners: The center is welcoming to newcomers, hosting fun annual events like the SA Wingshooters Christmas Clay Target Shoot which is open to families and recreational shooters.

53 Zeekoeifontein 573 IQ, Vanderbijlpark, 1900, South Africa

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Grand Prix of South Africa - Compak Sporting - South Africa (September 2008)

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About competition

Event Highlights & Structural Parameters

1. Full Event Program & Schedule

2. Venue Profile & Logistical Location Details

3. Organizing Committee & Registration Framework

Hippo Creek Shooting Centre

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