THE V8 Supercars were not the only engines racing last week when the NSW heat of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Championships was in action at Sydney Motorsport Park with ten of NSW's top lumberjacks competing for two spots at the Australian grand final which will be part of the trackside entertainment at the V8 Supercars Bathurst 1000.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wood and chips were flying in one of the closest fought competitions in the Series yet.
The world’s fastest lumberjack and NSW's best axeman Brad Delosa did not disappoint the crowd and proved why he's a five time world title winner by setting a new Australian record of just 6.90 seconds for three cuts of a 19 inch log to stamp his authority on this action packed event.
Lithgow's Delosa won the Standing Block, Single Buck and Underhand, but veteran 52 year old Dale Ryan also of Lithgow showed the Sydney crowd that he is still got it by winning the spring board.
Sawing specialist Justin Beckett took out the Stock chainsaw disciplines.
The spots in the final came down to the show-piece of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® series, the Hotsaw, which sees competitors race 250 - 350cc custom built racing chainsaws.
In the first heat Justin Beckett moved into 2nd place by beating Chris Owen and his spot in the final was secured when Dale Ryan was disqualified for an incomplete cut, but saw the funny side by taking a bite of the offending 'cookie'.
Now the stage is set for an epic battle as the best axemen from each state compete at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 to see who will win the grand final, and be crowned the first Australian STIHL TIMBERSPORTS®
Champion and who will make the team to represent Australia at the world championships in Poland.
