The piston in question had been "skirted" but was measured by PK to be in tolerance albeit at the very bottom of the limit which immediately drew his attention to it as being a problem.
PK pointed out to me, with the use of a magnifying glass, that the machining marks on the bottom of our piston were not as per factory machining and that an attempt had been made to copy these machining marks so as to be indistinguishable from factory marks.
AT from Talko viewed the machining marks and confirmed the piston had been "skirted" and was therefore illegal.
I appreciate and thank PK and AT for the professionalism with which they dealt with myself, Dean and our driver/family in this situation.
Story doesn't end there.
The following day I took 3 engines built by the same engine builder for another of my drivers in the team and asked PK to perform the same checks on these.
Two proved to be OK but the 3rd had evidence of: Sleeve removal from the barrel Machining of the transfer ports Skirting of the piston
Another totally illegal engine where the parents and driver had absolutely no idea these illegal mods had been carried out on their engine. And they had only ever used this one engine builder.
So to all TKM engine users, if you have any doubt at all about the ethics of your engine builder, get the engine to Talko for a legality check.
By not doing that with the engine in question, I have cost my driver his British Championship.
Steve DSG Motorsport
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