76
« Last post by Cut4fun . on January 17, 2026, 09:10:02 am »
Per Eric for Sawfest OH 2026 Oct 9th 10th
RULES-2026 (Amended/Clarified as of 1/14/2026)
WELCOME TO SAW FEST 2026
Saw Fest’s intent is to provide an atmosphere that is welcoming to all levels of chainsaw enthusiasts while satisfying the naturally competitive spirit commonly found among people who enjoy modifying mechanical things. This is a firewood and work-saw contest set up in a race format. Please respect the rules that are in place. The goal is for everyone involved to have fun while maintaining fairness and safety.
COMPETITION CLASSES
FRIDAY – Wood species and size to be determined
WILD THING
Only Poulan Wild Thing chainsaws are eligible. The saw must display the original Poulan Wild Thing graphics and markings. All fuels are acceptable, including Nitrous Oxide (NOS). Any safe, modified chainsaw chain is acceptable. Any muffler, including expansion chambers, is acceptable. Two-piece heads are allowed, and chain brakes are optional. The engine must retain OEM bore and stroke.
The Wild Thing race will begin “Over the Block.” Competitors will start with their saw running and in hand. Timing begins when the chain touches the wood (the cant) and ends when the last cookie is severed. Note that all other races begin with the saw on the ground; this class has its own starting style.
CLONE WARS
Clone Wars includes two categories: Modified and Firewood, each containing two classes.
In both Clone Wars categories, only clone pistons, clone cylinders, [REMOVED: CLONE BIG BORE CYLINDERS (MARKETED SPECIFICALLY FOR THE CLASS MODDEL], and clone cases are allowed. OEM parts permitted include: crankshaft, carburetor, flywheel, bearings, oil pump, and fuel tank or handle.
• [ADDED: CLONE PARTS INCLUDE AFTERMARKET PARTS SUCH AS HYWAY, METEOR, NEW WEST, ETC...]
Normally, chainsaw races allow a saw to compete in any larger displacement class. However, Clone Wars classes allow only the specific clone models listed. This restriction is to keep competition model-specific and to promote clone chainsaws.
MODIFIED CLASSES – Wood species and size to be determined
These classes are specific to particular models. Other clone saws of similar or smaller displacement are not eligible.
• G366 Clone (Stihl MS361 clone) 3/8 Chain only
• MS880 / Husqvarna 3120 Clone 3/8 or .404 Chain Only
Common Rules for Modified Clone Saws:
• No fuel restrictions (gasoline, nitromethane, nitropropane, methanol, etc. are acceptable).
• Nitrous Oxide (NOS) is prohibited.
• Two-piece heads are acceptable.
• Any safe, modified chain is acceptable.
Modified classes will be Cold Start.
At the start cadence, saws will be on the ground and not running. Competitors begin with fingers over the line on top of the log, without their hand(s) extending beyond the end/face of the cant. At the start command, the competitor will gain control of the saw, start it, and make the required cuts. Timing begins when the fingers move from the line and ends when the last cookie is severed.
G366 Clone Class: Must have a stock-appearing muffler (defined later) and maintain stock bore and stroke. [ADDED: CLONE BIG BORE KITS MARKETED FOR THE G366 ARE ACCEPTABLE.]
MS880 / 3120 Clone Class: There are no muffler restrictions; expansion chambers are acceptable. These clones may be modified up to a maximum displacement of 140cc [ADDED: USING ANY CONBINATION OF BORE AND STROKE]
FIREWOOD CLONE CLASSES – Wood species and size to be determined
• Husqvarna 372 Clone May use .325 or 3/8 Chain
• Stihl MS660 / Husqvarna 395 Clone May use .325, 3/8, or .404 Chain
These follow the same rules as Saturday’s Firewood Classes (described below) [ADDED: WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT
• FIREWOOD CLONE SAWS MUST REMAIN STOCK BORE AND STROKE; NO BIG BORE CYLINDERS
• CLONE PARTS INCLUDE AFTERMARKET PARTS SUCH AS HYWAY, METEOR, NEW WEST, ETC... ]
SATURDAY – FIREWOOD CLASSES (Wood species and size TBD)
• 3 Cubic Inch (≤50.2cc) – Must use .325 chain
• 4 Cubic Inch (≤66cc) – May use .325 or 3/8 chain
• 5 Cubic Inch (≤82cc) – May use .325 or 3/8 chain
• 6 Cubic Inch (≤100cc) – May use .325, 3/8, or .404 Chain
BOUNTY LOG – Size and species TBD
Saws must run and idle properly and be using Round File (defined below) chain.
Competitors race to make a single cut through a large log in the fastest time. Saws must be models introduced prior to 1985. Clone versions of older saws (for example, Holzfforma’s G070 clone of the Stihl 070) are not allowed since the clone version was introduced after 1985.
Saws may be shared among competitors and may run multiple times. A competitor may buy-in for multiple attempts. Competition continues until all participants have completed their runs or the available wood is gone. Everyone will have an opportunity to cut before any competitor makes a second attempt.
CHAINSAW TOSS
A chainsaw (provided by the event) will be thrown for distance. Competitors may buy in for additional attempts. The event ends when all competitors have completed their throws.
DISK STACK – Size and species TBD
Competitors will cut a vertical 8x8 block of wood mounted ~chest-high, marked 12 inches from the top. The goal is to cut as many complete disks as possible within that 12-inch section in one minute. Disks that topple from the stack do not count; only complete disks remaining stacked on the base are scored.
Competitors may not touch the wood or disks with their hands or saw. Each competitor may compete once, but saws may be shared. There are no saw restrictions for this event.
DEFINITIONS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Firewood Saw
A Firewood Saw should be capable of cutting firewood all day.
• Must use a Round File Firewood Chain (defined below).
• Must have a stock-appearing muffler (defined below).
• Must have a working choke system and an air filter.
• The air filter may be exposed and extend beyond the factory cover.
• Must have a complete chain brake handle (“brake flag”) if originally equipped. Brake function is optional.
• Fuel must be 87–93 octane pump gas. E85 is not allowed. Canned fuels marketed for outdoor power equipment are acceptable.
• No nitropropane, nitrous oxide, or similar additives.
• No two-piece heads.
• Automatically tuned saws (including, but not limited to Stihl M-Tronic® , Stihl Fuel Injection Technology® , Husqvarna AutoTune® , Husqvarna Fuel Injection® , etc...) must remain auto-tune.
• Must retain OEM style intake. Intake blocks, reed conversions, etc… are not allowed.
• Stratified cylinders must remain stratified; while it is allowable to adjust the strato timing event, strato ports cannot be fueled,“dirtied”, breached. [ADDED: STRATOS MAY NOT BE] blocked with a non-strato piston, or blocked or merged within the cylinder or intake.
• Flywheels must retain adequate cooling ability for firewood use.
Hot Start
All Firewood classes begin with the saw running on the ground. Competitors place their fingers over the line on the cant without the hand being over the edge/end of the cant. At the start command, competitors grab their saws and begin cutting. Time starts when the fingers move from the line and ends when the final cut is complete.
Round File Firewood Chain
Acceptable chains include round-filed, round-ground, Husqvarna X-Cut, and Stihl Hexa systems. No “chassis work” is allowed, meaning no removal of metal below the top plane of the tie straps or drive links. Prohibited practices include “dogboning”, grinding rivets, tightening rivets (other than the “master link”, or shaping tie straps. Minor incidental contact below the top plane of the tie straps during sharpening is understandable, but smoothing or polishing these marks is not allowed.
Stock-Appearing Muffler
An OEM-style muffler is required. Modifications such as added exit ports or front covers (e.g., Egan Straight Shot, Bark Box, Undaunted MFG) are acceptable. Exit pipes must not extend above the top cover, past the clutch cover, or past the starter cover. “Ironhorse” style pipes are prohibited, but internal piping modifications within the muffler are acceptable.
GENERAL RULES
PPE
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required for all competitors and recommended for spectators. This includes chainsaw chaps, eye protection, and hearing protection.
INSPECTION
All saws are subject to inspection. The top five saws in each class will be inspected. All saws must remain in the competition or staging area until the class is complete to remain eligible for points/time. If a saw leaves the designated area before the class is complete (whether or not the saw is in contention for points), that competitor will be disqualified (DQ) and will not receive times or points for that race. We are aware that a person that is in the first heat(s) of the next class may need additional time to prepare for the next class if they need to reuse bar/chain; a reasonable amount of time will be allowed to prepare.
PROTEST
There will be a Protest Rule in place. Competitors should be prepared to remove mufflers and spark plugs (to confirm bore and stroke), starter covers (to assess cooling fins or flywheel), and air filter covers (to confirm choke, filter, and chain setup) if protested.
A competitor may protest another saw or a racing procedure by paying a $40 protest fee. The protest must clearly state the specific concern (for example: chain violation, muffler violation, flywheel violation, fuel violation, or procedural violation). If the protest concerns racing procedure, the protesting competitor must provide timely video proof of the alleged infraction. Protests must be made before the end of the class. Protests made afterward will not be considered. The person who was "right" will receive the $40. Only saw owner/operator and judge(s) will be allowed in the inspection area during PROTEST inspections.
SHARING SAWS
Loaning saws to other competitors is allowed, but no saw may run twice in the same class. A second or subsequent competitor running the same saw in the same class will be disqualified. Exceptions include the Bounty Log, Disk Stack, and Chainsaw Toss events.
SAW FAILURE
If a saw fails to start or operate before the start cadence, the competitor may stand down from that heat. If the saw is repaired before the end of the race, accommodations will be made to allow the competitor to compete at the end of the class.
CUT SEQUENCE
On a three-cut sequence, the pattern is typically Down–Up–Down. On a two-cut sequence, the pattern is typically Down–Up. If an incomplete cookie is cut, additional cuts may be made (if space allows) to complete the required number of cookies. The additional cuts do not need to match the original direction; any Down/Up combination is acceptable.
WHAT COMPETITORS MAY EXPECT
Cant stands are approximately 16–18 inches from the ground to the bottom of the cant.
Each heat will begin with a cadence. Multiple racers may compete in a heat, but individual overall ranking is determined by times.
The number of cuts and allowed wood may vary depending on class and wood availability. Generally, competitors attempt three cuts in six inches of wood or two cuts in four inches. Adjustments will be announced at the start of each class.
Competitors begin with both hands on top of the cant, all fingers across the line, without having hands past the edge/end of the cant. The exception to this is the Wild Thing, Bounty Log, and Disk Stack “Over the Wood” starts.
POINTS SYSTEM
Winners of Clone Wars Firewood, Clone Wars Modified, and Firewood Classes will be determined by points.
Points will be awarded per placement:
1st place – 5 points
2nd place – 4 points
3rd place – 3 points, and so on.
Competitors may earn points in multiple classes, and total points across all classes determine overall standings for each category.
The Awards Ceremony will follow the conclusion of each day’s Competition.
REGISTRATION, FEES, PRIZES, AND PAYOUTS
Registration will open via a post on the official Saw Fest Facebook page. Once open, competitors will be directed to register by email at sawfest19@gmail.com. Please do not use this email prematurely.
Registration is limited to 50 competitors. If you register and cannot attend, please notify organizers so a standby competitor can participate.
Fees are $10 per class with a maximum of $60 (which covers all classes except Chainsaw Toss and Bounty Log).
Prizes and payouts depend on sponsorships, donations, and available funds.
Typical awards:
• Poulan Wild Thing: Top three places
• Disk Stack: Top three places
• Bounty Log: Top two places
• Chainsaw Toss: First place
• Clone Wars Modified: 3–5 places
• Clone Wars Firewood: 3–5 places
• Firewood Classes: 3–5 places
Special thanks to Dynamic Green Products (DGP) for their continued support of Saw Fest!
All competitors must sign a liability waiver before competing.
While alcohol is not prohibited, competitors are encouraged to wait until after competition. Anyone deemed unsafe, competitor or spectator, will be assisted in finding a safe place to recover.
LOCATION AND AMENITIES
22517 McAdow Rd, Marysville, OH 43040
A food truck will be on-site with food and drinks.
Primitive camping, campers, and sleeping in vehicles are welcome as space allows. Please be courteous with generator noise.
Bring chairs and pop-up canopies if you have them. Parking will be behind the barn in the grass field. Transportation will be available to move saws and belongings to the competition area.
This event is held on private property. Please be respectful and clean up after yourself. The wood pile to the south of the competition area is off-limits.
AREA LODGING (PARTIAL LIST)
• Hampton Inn – 937-642-3777
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marysville – 937-738-7710
• Super 8 (Marysville) – 937-644-8821
• Comfort Suites – 937-672-9600
• Home2 Suites by Hilton – 937-893-2066
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Columbus-Marysville – 937-209-3423
• Quality Inn (Marysville) – 937-644-0400
Home
Login
Register
Recent Posts