Updated: June 10, 2009, 1:45 PM ET
STIHL TIMBERSPORTS events
STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Drawing Board - Hot Saw
In this discipline, the competitor uses a customized chain saw with a modified engine usually taken from a personal watercraft or snowmobile. At the signal, the competitor starts the saw and makes three cuts. With only six inches of wood to work with, precision is key. If the competitor saws outside of the designated six inches or fails to saw a complete "cookie" (term used to describe the circular piece of sawed-off wood), he will be disqualified. Often described by competitors as both their favorite and most difficult discipline, the primary challenge with the hot saw is the reliability of their custom saw. U.S. competitor Matt Bush set the world record using white pine in the hot saw at 5.085 seconds in 2003. This discipline also requires competitors to wear special protective gear.
