Along while ago, we had a minimax engine once where every part that could be engraved externally (without taking the engine apart was carefully engraved with two letters and a number. Even the end of the crank had the marking. Each of the crankcase halves were marked, the edge of the reed block flange, the barrel of course, balance gears, end of the balance shaft !! I also know of someone whom had their engine stripped by the scritineers and engine distributor rep at an event a long time ago. The bag of bits was sent back to the distributor and when he got it back he suspected parts had been exchanged (it was a particularly fast - but legal engine in that formula) as he had ultravioletly marked parts. When the subject was broached the distributor said when they rebuilt the engine (as it was not found to be illegal) to hand it back intact they ultrasonically cleaned ALL the parts which may have meant ALL the markings were removed UMMMMMMM!!! That said I'm sure these are very much in the minority and most are straight up and honest. But if a privateer lands on a particularly good and legal engine that also mixes it at the front end with the big business which is teams, that engine could be 'at risk', so mark it as best you can which will make anyone think twice. Better still try to mark it where it is not obvious so you have a genuine check on who's doing what. Or prevention might be better - mark it clearly to nip it in the bud at the start. That said the marked minimax engine was not that special, perhaps noted as the number was a number '2' and not a number '1'??????
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