OK... I have no dog in this fight a-tall, and this is not intended as a troll.
However, as a Retro program director, I have a question. Why would anyone adopt the 4002 FK with its endemic problems? I've seen threads that devolved into arguments, gripes, defense, and offense on this subject. Many statements are made that it's an easy fix, just align the hoods (sealed motor) or cut the brushes.
OK fine but is that the spirit of the current SOTA Retro world? IOW... "Retro is about driving, car prep and chassis building and not about working on motors." Except in this case, ya prolly gotsta' work on the motor. As a counterpoint, with the HR or H7, not only do you not have to work on the motor... FTMP, you can't.
Out here on the weirdo left coast, (north and south) we find no need for these motors. Both North and South have a class for PS motors that we run occasionally. These are basically motor builders classes and the problems of the FK 4002 do not apply. Aside from that, we are happy with the HR and in NorCal anyway the HMB. Between us in North and South, we run more classes on more different styles of tracks than any other single region. We've never felt any need whatsoever to adopt the 4002 FK.
So... why do some regions feel the need to adopt it and then agonize/fight about the shortcomings when the HR or H7 or even the HMB do not have these issues?
- Is there some attribute of these motors that make them somehow better for some types of cars?
- Does that attribute override the necessity of "motor work" on at least some in order to make them functional?
-----------------or-----------------
- Was this a strategy adopted to favor a particular manufacturer who would be getting little play in RETRO otherwise???
Not looking to fight, just wondering... ???