My hope was in asking this question was to have a discussion about IRRA motors without getting the thread closed. Now I'm thinking this won't last for three days as I had hoped.
I will say I have been surprised that some have responded yes to seeing or using another motor besides the JK Retro. I haven't seen anything else here in the south in years or have I seen any at the R4 or the Nolen enduro race held at Tom Thumb. It would be interesting to know if these motors have won or been on the podium at any races they are being used at. In following the other premier races here on the blog I have not seen anyone using anything other than the JK Retro, to the best of my knowledge.
My point is that out of four available motors for use in IRRA rules set racing it seems to me by what I've seen that there is not a viable option to the Retro Hawk. I always felt that the TSR motor was the best mini can motor as far as being consistent but like the other three options, they are just not competitive with the Retro Hawk speed wise. If they were we would be seeing them in races but we are not.
The IRRA communicated that the problems with the Retro Hawk had been fixed so now motor submissions would be closed unless there was a need to reopen them. I personally don't see that the problem has been fixed. The two speed motors are just as available now as always as well as many that are just not competitive speed wise. Yes, I know these are $13.00 motors and all that so please lets not get into all that again.
The problem is cost and time. When you multiple $13.00 times all the motors we traveling racers buy, and those who are serious local racers, the cost of this cheap motor gets very expensive. And the time to break in that many motors....whatever method you choose, is time consuming with track testing added to that. It doesn't matter how deep your pockets are, It's just wasted money and time. There is no telling how many motors I have in a huge box under my bench that are not raceable.
So, along comes a motor with some pretty good claims. The brakes for 5000 laps peaked my interest, not to mention it's a dollar cheaper! Now I know claims are just claims until proven. So with no real viable alternative to choose from why not give this motor a look? This man who I don't know and have never met is trying to do something good for the hobby we all love. He's invested in importing a motor that might be better than what we have now. Who knows if it is? Only one way to tell. So far this man has developed several new and affordable products and I for one am thankful that someone is willing to invest their time and money to help this hobby. The motor may be a total POC. If so, so be it. But it at least deserves a chance.
I've been writing this while at work and it has taken about an hour and a half. I've worked this in between patients who are dealing with real life cancer issues. So before I get crucified for what some would consider radical views lets remember we are playing with toy cars for fun. Life is not always fun for some.
I hope that a civil discussion can continue.
Thanks for your time and interest.
Bobby Robinson RN, BMTCN
"Nobody rides for free." - Jackson Browne, 1980
"Positivity and optimism can overcome a lot of things." - Tom Brady, 2019
"Trying is the first step towards failure." - Homer Simpson