I attended last years punkin chunk and cruised the "pit" with contestants and contraptions. One of the biggest problems with getting good distance is the fact that pumpkins don't stand up to extreme acceleration. The rules state the punkin must leave the "device" intact. A good proportion don't make it and spray "punkinfetti" out the barrel of those big pneumatic cannons.

The most surprising aspect is the enormous amount of effort and money spent on creating these machines: LARGE air compressors, high pressure tanks, oil over air compressors, hydrolics for lifting and aiming barrels, all permanently mounted on customized trailers. And that's just the pheumatic "big guns." How about those centrifugal machines using automobile engines mounted on wobbly towers!

As they say, "safety is optional"

For a good laugh, check out "The Art & Science of Punkin' Chunkin'" video: http://www.dca.net/arden Tongue-in-cheek and surprisingly well done