The famed four-wheel trophies make a return to Roma

Top shots have the chance to win a car at this year's National competition in Roma, thanks to Armstrong Auto Group.

SPONSORSHIP: Armstrong Auto Group has supplied two cars as prizes for the national clay target shooting competition in Roma. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

WHEN Armstrong Auto Group first gave away cars as prizes with the Roma Clay Target club, most shooters at the competition thought it was too good to be true.

The major prize from a country gun club was unheard of among shooters at last year's major event, but ended up being the talk of the town before the weekend was through.

Continuing their support of the clay target club, the vehicular trophies are again up for grabs at the Australian Trap Nationals, which Roma is hosting over the next 10 days.

"The little giveaway car, the Mitsubishi Mirage, is a little zip-zip machine that is great for around town - just a great little hatchback,” said Ivan Maunder of Armstrong Auto Group.

"The main trophy car, the Mitsubishi Triton, is a four-wheel-drive, manual, dual-cab ute with all the bits and pieces.

"It has cruise control, blue-tooth, and all the bits and pieces, so it really is a huge trophy to try and take home to put on the mantelpiece.

"Last year, the word did get out, but it wasn't taken seriously that Roma was giving away two cars.

"But this year it is a huge event and it is going to be a lot bigger than the last major shoot.”

The local dealership is a major sponsor of the Roma Clay Target Club, and Mr Maunder told The Western Star they were proud to support other locals.

"Just getting behind the gun club has done a huge amount for the Roma community,” he said.

"The facilities out there are second-to-none and they should be very proud of what they've done.”

Armstrong is far from the only local getting behind the national competition.

Roma Clay Target Club president Andrew Whyte said in addition to their long list of regular sponsors, they were working with many shops to drive business from the influx of visitors arriving today.

"(The event) will put somewhere around 2000 more people into town this week, and I have been proactive in going around to businesses in town to get discount vouchers and what-not, which will go into a little hand-out bag that comes with each nomination,” Mr Whyte said.

"This way, anyone who isn't shooting, the families and partners, will go into the businesses in town and hopefully spend a bit of money in there too.

"So it is not just about the gun club. It is about getting people into the district, and into the businesses to inject a bit of money back into town.”

The Pre-National Roman Chariot Shoot and Australian Trap Nationals are being held in Roma from today until Sunday, April 7.

Originally published as The famed four-wheel trophies make a return to Roma