News | New Zealand's Second Rally Clays Competition
Rally Clays returns to Wairarapa for the second New Zealand competition
Following a very successful first outing in August, Rally Clays returns to Wairarapa Clay Target Club from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September as part of the second Falcon Sporting Clays Weekend.
The inaugural New Zealand event brought everyone from developing and novice shooters through to national-level competitors onto the platform, with plenty more stopping between their Sporting rounds to watch the matches unfold.
September starts again with a clean scoreboard and three competition pools:
AA / A
B Grade
C / Novice
What is Rally Clays?
Rally Clays is a head-to-head clay target format created in the United Kingdom by Simon Reinhold.
Two competitors shoot side-by-side across seven target presentations, with the rally continuing until somebody misses and loses the point.
It is simple to understand, quick to run and puts the pressure directly between the two shooters.
For the full Rally Clays format, rules and background to the New Zealand launch:
What we learned from Rally Clays NZ #1
August gave us the first proper look at Rally Clays across a mixed New Zealand club field.
23 leaderboard-eligible matches were recorded, alongside a number of additional friendly challenges.
Some matches were over quickly, while several AA/A contests developed into very long rallies, including matches reaching 190 and 202 valid targets before the result was decided.
It also proved extremely good to watch, with matches regularly drawing people around the platform between their Sporting rounds.
Rally Clays NZ #2 | 18–20 September
Rally Clays will again operate on the dedicated field directly in front of the clubhouse throughout the September Falcon Sporting Clays Weekend.
The competition will use the same three pools:
AA/A
B Grade
C/Novice
Shooters may challenge competitors in their own grade or one grade either side for a leaderboard-eligible match.
A competitor’s best two eligible winning Performance Scores against two different opponents will count toward their final pool standing.
Shooters can complete as many matches as field availability allows, and matches outside the eligible grade range may still be shot for fun.
There is no fixed match-entry charge. The losing shooter pays for all targets thrown during the match at 40 cents per target, with the exact number recorded through the club’s Promatic Claymate system. Rally Clays is open to safe, proficient shooters who are comfortable handling and loading their firearm and taking part in a live head-to-head match. It is not intended as a first-time shooting introduction.
Shooters without a firearms licence must attend with an appropriately licensed person who can provide direct supervision throughout the match.
Falcon Ammunition prizes
Thanks to Falcon Ammunition, prizes will again be awarded to the winner and runner-up across all three Rally Clays pools. Prize eligibility requires current 2026 Wairarapa Clay Target Club membership, with a current firearms licence required before any ammunition prize can be released.
Rally Clays alongside the Falcon Sporting Clays Weekend
Rally Clays will run alongside:
40-target English Sporting
60-target Super Sporting
Sporting practice
guided introductions during selected periods
coaching and development opportunities
Shooters can build Rally Clays into the weekend however they like.
Shoot your Sporting round, challenge someone at Rally Clays, then move on to Super Sporting.
Or come specifically to play a few Rally Clays matches.
There is no requirement to attend all three days.
Rally Clays in New Zealand
Rally Clays was created in the United Kingdom by Simon Reinhold. James Mackie is Simon Reinhold’s New Zealand Agent for Rally Clays, coordinating its introduction and development here in New Zealand.
Wairarapa Clay Target Club is hosting the first four New Zealand Rally Clays competitions across the 2026 Falcon Sporting Clays programme.
Following the August launch, the remaining Wairarapa events are:
18–20 September
16–18 October
13–15 November
Clubs, organisations and shooters interested in Rally Clays, including future events elsewhere in New Zealand, are welcome to contact James through Wairarapa Clay Target Club.
Email: wairarapactc@gmail.com
Phone: 027 277 9221
Rally Clays NZ #2
Friday 18 September to Sunday 20 September 2026
Wairarapa Clay Target Club
170 Moroa Road
Greytown, Wairarapa
If you watched Rally Clays in August and didn’t step onto the platform, September is the next chance.
Find an opponent and have a go.
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