What amounted to a ‘mini-titles’ of chainsaw racing ran on Saturday at the Tenterfield Show. The efficiency with which such a large number of events and competitors were handled bodes well for when the show hosts the national titles next year.
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Show steward Jason Chisholm said 38 racers nominated for the event. After a couple dropped out and a few substituted in, there was still a strong field of 37 competitors. In fact all but one competitor at last year’s Australian titles fronted up to the Tenterfield event, and were impressed with how smoothly the program ran.
“We had lots of events and we got through them, and we’ve cut 600-700 logs for the timber supplier,” Jason said.
A multiple title-holder himself, Jason said there were a few tough logs in the bundle and he had a pretty ordinary day himself, but he will have another go at the Glen Innes Show this weekend.
“You can’t win them all,” he said.
Record-breaking heat on the day left one competitor a bit under the weather and some of the saws themselves suffered ‘vaporatisation’ in the hot conditions, but Jason said organisers were prepared and warned participants ahead of time to ensure they stayed hydrated.
“We did suffer a bit of saw fatigue,” he said.
There was a big turnout for the Jack & Jill post rip race with 18 team competing.
“That’s massive for anywhere, let along a little town like Tenterfield,” Jason said.
Allan Woolley was the standout chainsaw racer on the day, ahead on overall points after winning both the open post rip and the U100cc post rip. He was also part of the NSW team – along with Jason and Phil Waters, the event’s oldest competitor at 67 – to win the state of origin clash over Queensland.
The program was completed by 6.30pm, presentations done by 7.15pm and then it was time for a drink or two and a counter meal to dissect the day’s events.
Jason said Saturday was a good trial run for the big national championships which will run over three days next year, February 10-12, in conjunction with the show.
He is expecting up to 50 competitors vying for titles, and has been promised more space on the showground.
“There’ll be three full days of racing, and three times as much timber cut,” he said.
“I’ve just got to give a massive thank you to all the helpers that made the day what it was, from the people on the microphone to those collecting the timber to the ones taking nominations. Everyone was quite impressed.”