Punkin Chunkin

I am thinking about registering a machine for the first time. What do I need to know?

Welcome! Registration opens to first time competitors on June 1.

New teams must provide a picture or design concept of your machine for the application to be considered valid (for new and modified machines only).

How do we register?

Visit Registration in the Chunkers tab above for instructions starting March 1 if you competed in the previous year’s event and starting June 1 if you are a new competitor.

What is the cost to register?

Adult and Youth class registration is $100.00 per team. $50.00 will be returned to each team with 8 hrs of documented support provided before or after the event.

Entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE.

When do we register a machine?

If you competed in last year’s event, you may take advantage of early registration starting March 1. New applications will not be accepted before June 1st.

Starting June 1, registration opens up to new competitors. At that point, applications will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis.

When does machine registration close?

We have a limited number of registration slots available. Registration closes when all available slots are filled. Some classes are limited in size due to either the amount of applications submitted or field limitations.

We changed our mind and want to compete in a different category than we registered for!

Sorry. No passes will be issued to teams arriving without a machine ready to compete in their class. Example: a sling shot can not be entered on the field the day of the event in place of your approved cannon entry.

Do I need to show a picture of my new machine in advance?

New teams must provide a picture or design concept of your machine for the application to be considered valid (for new and modified machines only).

What time does the “Chunk” start?

The gates open at 7:30 AM each day. The complete schedule for the Chunk is available [here].

When do the machines fire each day?

Starting on the extreme left-hand side of the line (Pit #1), each machine will fire its one competition shot for the day. This will continue down the line, moving to the right until all the machines have fired. Note that no other machine may fire during this time because of safety concerns for the spotters in the field. Theatrical entries are not limited to this rule and will present their show on a periodic basis. Once every machine has fired and its shot measured, the field will be cleared of spotters and a “free-for-all” will begin. Any or all machines may fire at will. Not every machine is required to do this, however, as some team captains may wish to save the machine from any potential damage so that they have a good competition shot the next day. That being said, it is a very high percentage of machines that will fire for fun.

Should the line not be completed for competition shots, it is not unusual for the competition to be suspended for the night. There may or may not be time for a free-for-all. The competition will be started the next morning at the point where the competition was suspended. After competing in our category, can we leave with our machine?

Once a machine is set on the field, it is the expectation of the WCPCA that it remains set up on the field and participating until Sunday 3 pm.

How do we get Fire Line Passes?

They will be added to the Team Packets that are picked up when you arrive on the field. Only 7 Fire Line passes will be issued per team.

By what time does our machine need to be set up?

To ensure firing line safety, no machine will be allowed to set up on the field after 8am on any event day. Machines arriving after 8am on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday will sit in the back of the pit until the end of that day’s competition.

We need help building a Backstop!

The netting that is qualified is from www.nylonnet.com. Look for the #42 backstop netting. It comes 10X10 and we installed it on a min of 1 inch pipe frame or fence frame with the slip on 90's. Secure the net with heavy duty electrical wire ties. Now is not the time to go with cheap materials or to use too few ties, as this backstop could save a life.

It is a pretty simple design, if you choose to deviate from the approved materials you may do so, but it will require a full fire test on the field to proof the design. Using the approved materials, one was tested with a bowling ball shot directly into the net and the net stopped it.

Also keep in mind that the intent is to stop the line drive 5 feet off the ground in reverse where there is no time to get out of the way. It is not intended to stop the high pop in reverse.

Any Questions please contact me,

John Huber
WCPCA President
302-604-7163

The World Championship Punkin Chunkin Association supports the mission of the above organizations by contributing to the funding that keeps them going strong. A share of the proceeds from our annual Punkin Chunkin event in November is earmarked for charitable giving. We are proud of our relationship with these vital nonprofits and the work they do to make life better for those in need.

Thanks to our many sponsors without whom this annual event would not be possible.

View our sponsors