Pumpkin Chunkin Competition Rules

Event: Schell Property Pumpkin Chunkin — Fall 2026 (inaugural) Division: Mechanical only

Overview

This is a ratio-scored pumpkin throwing competition. Machines are judged not on raw distance alone, but on efficiency — how far you throw per pound of pumpkin. Build smart, not just big.

Scoring

Performance Score = Distance (ft) / Pumpkin Weight (lbs)

Each team’s best single attempt (highest score) counts as their official result.

Example scores:

This means a smaller machine throwing a lighter pumpkin efficiently can beat a massive rig throwing heavy pumpkins a long way.

Tiebreaker

If two teams have the same score (rounded to one decimal), the team with the longer raw distance wins.

Machine Rules

Allowed Machine Types

Mechanical energy storage only:

• Trebuchets — gravity-powered via counterweight and sling
• Catapults — spring, torsion, or tension powered
• Centrifugal — must complete at least one full revolution before release
• Human-powered — stored energy of team members only (no motors to assist)
• Other mechanical — any machine using stored mechanical energy (rubber bands, bungee, springs, etc.)

Prohibited

• Compressed air or gas of any kind
• Combustion, explosives, or pyrotechnics
• Electric motors of any kind — no motors for launching, cocking, loading, or any other function. If your team can’t arm the machine by hand, it’s too much machine.
• Firearms or ballistic devices

Entry Limit

• One machine per competitor. Each machine must have a named team captain. One person cannot captain multiple machines.
• Multiple members of a household may each enter their own machine as separate competitors.

Construction

• No machine weight limit. The scoring ratio naturally rewards efficiency over brute force.
• Machines must fit within a 20 ft x 20 ft pit area for setup and firing.
• Maximum height when cocked/loaded: 20 ft (for transport and safety practicality).
• All machines must have a safety pin or restraint that prevents accidental firing. The machine may not be armed until directed by the range officer.
• All cables, ropes, and fasteners must be appropriately rated for the forces involved. Frayed ropes, cracked wood, or visibly damaged components will fail inspection.

Pumpkin Rules

• Each team brings 3 pumpkins of their chosen size (one per attempt).
• Minimum weight: 2 lbs. No decorative gourds, no mini pumpkins.
• Pumpkins must be real, whole, unmodified pumpkins. No filling, no reinforcing, no hollowing, no coatings.
• Pumpkins are weighed at check-in on the event scale. The lightest pumpkin’s weight is used for all three scoring calculations.
• “Pie” rule: If a pumpkin breaks apart before hitting the ground, that attempt is disqualified (no score recorded). The pumpkin must leave the machine intact.

Competition Format

Attempts

• Each team gets 3 attempts.
• Only the best single score (highest distance/weight ratio) counts toward standings.
• Teams may adjust their machine between attempts (tuning, repositioning counterweight, etc.) but must stay within their pit area.
• Maximum 5 minutes between attempts per team to make adjustments. The range officer will call time.

Firing Order

• Firing order determined by random draw at check-in.
• All teams fire Round 1, then Round 2, then Round 3 (rotating order so no one waits too long).

Measurement

• Launch point is defined as the front edge of the machine (the side facing the landing field). Measured once at inspection; does not change between attempts.
• Distance measured by laser rangefinder from the launch point to the first impact point.
• A spotter marks the impact point with a flag or spray paint.
• Distance measured in feet, rounded to the nearest foot.
• If the impact point is disputed, the range officer’s measurement is final.

Safety Rules

Field Layout

[Spectator Area]
     |
  ~100 ft buffer
     |
============ FIRING LINE ============
     |
  [20x20 Pit] [20x20 Pit] [20x20 Pit]  ...
     |
     |  ← Launch direction →
     |
[~~~~~~~~~~~~ LANDING FIELD ~~~~~~~~~~~~]
     |
  ~50 ft buffer from tree line

• Spectators must remain behind the spectator line, at least 100 ft behind the firing line (behind the machines, opposite the launch direction).
• No one on the landing field during firing except designated spotters and the range officer.
• Pit crews must stand at least 10 ft to the side of their machine during firing (not directly behind or in front).
• Firing cords/triggers must be at least 10 ft long so the operator is clear of moving parts.

Personnel

• Range Officer controls all firing. No machine fires without the range officer’s call. The range officer must not be a competitor or in the same household as any competitor.
• Spotters (2 minimum) positioned safely on the landing field to mark impact points. Spotters must have clear communication with the range officer (radio or visual signal).

Inspection

• All machines must pass a safety inspection before competing. The range officer and at least one other judge inspect:
  • Structural integrity (no cracked/split members, proper fasteners)
  • Safety restraint functional (pin, strap, or lock)
  • Firing mechanism has adequate standoff distance
  • No loose parts that could become projectiles
• Machines that fail inspection may make repairs and re-inspect. Machines that cannot pass do not compete.

Mandatory Protective Equipment

• Eye protection required for all pit crew members during firing.
• Closed-toe shoes required in the pit area.

Emergency Stop

• The range officer can halt all activity at any time for any safety concern.
• Any participant can call a stop if they see an unsafe condition — no penalty, no questions.

Weather

• Competition may be delayed or cancelled for lightning, high winds (sustained >20 mph), or other dangerous conditions. Range officer’s call.

Awards

• 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place — Highest performance scores (distance / pumpkin weight).
• Longest Throw — Longest raw distance in a single attempt, regardless of score. Because sometimes you just want to see a pumpkin fly.
• Best Engineering (if neutral judges available) — Judges’ pick for most clever or well-built machine, regardless of score. Requires at least two judges who are not in a competitor’s household. Skipped if neutral judges cannot be arranged.
• Best Spectacle — Most entertaining launch, best-decorated machine, or best team spirit. Crowd vote.
• Pie Award — Most spectacular pumpkin destruction (for the team whose pumpkin exploded most memorably in flight). A consolation prize.

Registration & Day-Of

• Teams register in advance with: team name, number of members, general machine type.
• Check-in on event day includes: machine inspection, pumpkin weigh-in, pit assignment, safety briefing.
• Each team designates one team captain who communicates with the range officer.

Amendments

This is the inaugural event. Rules may be refined for future years based on what we learn. If a situation arises not covered by these rules, the range officer decides on the spot and we’ll write it into next year’s rules.