I don't think that it a wise/safe (rule violation also) thing to takeoff or launch airplanes in the direct direction of the pit areas, no matter how far out in field you are.
When something malfunctions, even if taking off properly from the runway, the final destination of airplane is not controlled.

I take it, this is for me.... Sorry. Promise to do better in the future ;) I should have been much farther out & off to the side. I launched it that direction of course, because of the wind. If it had been anything but foam, it would have never been pointed that way...