EFL:He's tight-lipped about the specifics, not that most men would have the interest or gumption to send a pumpkin sailing 4,594 feet through the air. | Just the first line will tip you off the reporter is female. |
But the number of men gunning for him and his world record title is growing, and he's not done proving his point. | Her second sentence just contradicted her first. |
Welcome to the world of Punkin Chunkin, a sport where men -- and a few women -- throw, blow, fling, sling or otherwise propel pumpkins into the air and across a farmer's field.
It's called the World Championship Punkin Chunkin, and since 1986 has been held on a farm in Sussex County in Delaware. The competition is to begin Friday; 100 contestants are scheduled to compete while 40,000 spectators watch.
| Yup, no interest here at all. |
All eyes will be on Bruce Bradford, the reigning world champ from Howell. Fans and competitors worldwide know Bradford and his "Star Wars"-like pumpkin gun, which he calls Second Amendment. And while the competition may be friendly, folks in Delaware are not happy that a Michigander has taken home the trophy two years running. | They take their Chunkin seriously. |
That's the reason he won't discuss his machine, his shooting technique, or even how much he spends on the sport. "It's classified," said Bradford, 57, and the owner of S&G Steel Erectors in Howell. "All the guys at Punkin Chunkin are great guys, but when it comes to shooting, things get serious. This year, everyone will be gunning for me. They're not too happy that the trophy's left Delaware two years in a row now. Can't say I blame them." The gun, made of aluminum, weighs 18,000 pounds, and its barrel extends 100 feet, sporting a 210-millimeter bore. With its matte black paint, Second Amendment looks menacing, an impression confirmed by the bright yellow lettering that reads: "Baddest Punkin Gun on the Planet." In 1999, Bradford entered Second Amendment into competition and finished fifth, with a shot of 3,059 feet. He made improvements yearly, and in 2002 he was victorious, with a ride of 3,882 feet. | Note to the world, this is what Americans put together in spare time in their backyards just for fun, 210mm artillery pieces. |
Last year, proceeds from the event provided $60,000 worth of help to college-bound students and national help agencies, said Punkin Chunkin President Frank Shade. And in 18 years, the competition went from three competing teams to 100, drawing thousands of fans and camera crews from as far as England and Japan. What makes Punkin Chunkin so fascinating to an international crowd? Shade offered this explanation: "You know, a 6-month-old baby is a 6-month-old baby no matter where you go in the world. Some idiots see us throwing pumpkins and they say, 'Wow, I gotta do that.' "
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