ESC Catapult Competition Ruleset
Last modified:  0/04/2007
General Rules
1.	To participate in the tournament, a team must be registered with ESC.  Each team can consist of 10 or less people.  This team has the option of submitting one catapult in the competition.
2.	Each team that registers will be given $50 towards starting their catapult project.  The team will recieve the cash only after they show ESC receipts proving they spent at least $50 on their catapult project.
3.	Oranges will be the official projectile used in the ESC catapult event.  They will be provided by ESC.  The state of the oranges can not be altered.
4.	All machines must be set up in the assigned areas. You will be given notice of this area well in advance.
5.	Two judges provided by ESC will officiate the event.
6.	Each team will have 5 chances to launch their orange the farthest.  Distance will be measured from the center-point of the leading edge of the catapult to the location of the launched orange.
7.	ESC is not liable for any injuries that occur during this event.  Liability is placed upon the people who have built and are operating the catapult that malfunctions.  It is up to you as engineers to make sure your catapult is properly functioning.
8.	If you are disqualified for any round in the competition for breaking the rules you will forfeit your longest distance not the distance of the shot you are being disqualified on.
9.	Oranges must leave the machine intact.
10.	No part of the machine shall cross the firing line, which will be drawn by the ESC officers.
11.	No altering the state of the orange.  It can not be altered once the team receives it.
12.	Catapults shall not consist of pneumatic or combustion devices as mechanical means of creating stored energy.
13.	Only human powered winches and/ or other cranking devices may cock the machine.
14.	All catapult and trebuchet machines must have a safety strap or mechanism to hold the throwing arm or boom in case of early fire when loading. You are responsible for making sure everyone stays clear behind your machine, in case of a misfire. Personnel handling ropes or cable should wear gloves such as a sailing or repelling type to prevent burns.
15.	Any machine found to have structural defects (load beams, firing pins, any load bearing members, supports or support subsystems) will be banned from chucking until repaired and re-inspected by a member of the safety committee.
16.	Any grievance or protest needs to be sent to the nearest ESC officer.
17.	Machines may not chuck until the safety committee inspects and approves them to be safe by this rule set. Any alterations after being inspected will require another inspection to be able to fire.
18. Each catapult must fit in an imaginary 10 ft X 10 ft X 10 ft box fully extended.
19. Giant slingshots, crossbows, and any variation of these machines are prohibited.
20. The winner of the contest will receive $40.