BRIGGS AND STRATTON PROPOSAL
posted 10th Sept 2008 COMPLIANCE AND ISSUES
About 18 months ago the TEKA committee became increasingly aware of issues relating to the homologation of the HONDA GX200. It was apparent that the specifications relating to the Honda motor were too broad and was allowing a disparity of performance between engines. The rules as they related to the Honda were somewhat open to interpretation and this allowed circumstances to arise that were contrary to the primary objective of TEKA to have a fair and even competition.
After considering a number of different options, TEKA approached Honda with regards to certain specification requirements for the GX200. Honda were not able to provide specifications to a level that TEKA were satisfied with for AKA homologation. It was decided that TEKA look at homologating a new engine. Initially TEKA approached Subaru who make an engine that was fairly close to the specification required by TEKA but negotiations with Subaru fell through. At this time TEKA approached Briggs and Stratton and they were immediately keen to have a racing relationship with TEKA.
After initial negotiation it was decided that Briggs and Stratton would bear the cost related to homologation of the motor to be used. The necessary paperwork was prepared and at Albury Briggs and Stratton entered its first test with TEKA. Although the Briggs was quick, it was not without its problems; this was expected and proved to be valuable data for moving forward. The primary purpose of testing the Briggs this year was to understand the changes that need to be made to the Briggs and Stratton motor in order for it to have performance and most importantly endurance.
Failures of the Briggs under the endurance conditions were expected by Briggs and the TEKA committee, this may have not been the case for the other teams racing against it and had proved to be a negative result for the Briggs proposal. Briggs and Stratton have remained dedicated to the task of getting the data they need to make the Briggs and Stratton motor work as an endurance engine. A number of parts have been changed or modified then tested both under race conditions and also in separate practice.
The committee of TEKA are keen for the proposal to go ahead as they believe that in time the Briggs can prove to be a reliable and exciting motor to race. For the near future the Honda will remain as not only the premier class at TEKA events but also more than likely the preferred choice for most teams. There is an undeniable cost in changing to a new motor and so any transition would be gradual, TEKA have tried to allow for things to progress at a rate that suits most of the competing members.
The time is fast approaching that TEKA members need to decide one way or another if they wish to have the Briggs and Stratton motor run as a separate class next year, the general feeling is that this class will be rather small and may grow as the season progresses next year. At this point in time TEKA need members to vote purely on wether they will allow the new class to be adopted next year, there may be a number of changes that need to be made over time before the Briggs and Stratton is ready as a fully fledged class and one that can be completely adopted by TEKA.
The TEKA committee acknowledge that there have been a number of misunderstandings regarding the proposal and how the members may have interpreted it, with the interest, participation and feedback that the committee have received in the days following the Lithgow event, there will be a greater emphasis on member ideas and input into the adoption process. In order for the competition to move forward there are a number of requirements and deadlines that TEKA need to be meet with the AKA if the new class is to go ahead next year.
In order to keep the process on track for possible action next season, both the Honda and the Briggs & Stratton motor have been lodged by TEKA at the AKA for homologation as such a process takes some time, time that the TEKA timetable does not have. The Honda homologation is about to expire and thus requires renewal. Those AKA homologations are still awaiting approval, which is not now expected until late October. As a sign of good faith, Briggs & Stratton have offered to pay for the homologation fees for their motor, irrespective of the vote of the TEKA members of which they are fully appraised. Thus it is possible that the Briggs & Stratton may become homologated but not then adopted by TEKA as an alternate motor for competition in 2009.
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