Tom wrote
I entered that contest ONLY after being assured that I could
self-launch. If the contest organizers were not following the rules
that was not my fault.

Tom,
When you entered that contest, you signed the entry form which says, among
other things, "I have read and understand the rules".

You think you have a god given right to use your engine, any time, any place,
and NO set of rules is going to change that.
JJ Sinclair