News & Notes by FCHP

That's right, after many many years of flathead/Raptor engine racing, Briggs is finally pulling the plug on that engine and will eventually stop producing any parts for it.

Word is, a few of the parts are already out of production and when the distributor/dealer stock is gone, they are gone. Briggs will not release a timetable schedule of the parts being phased out or release which parts are going out of production first. They are doing this in order to keep distribtors/dealers from "stocking up" on parts and selling them at an increased rate once the parts are gone. They will let the parts go out through the normal channels as usual and when they are gone, they are gone.

Here is what I see happening for 2007. A lot of racers get their motors in for rebuilds over the winter. Those racers will most likely not be affected. Another big rush it typically right before the 2007 season fires up at all the tracks (people waiting to the last minute). Again, they most likely will not be affected. The next big rush typically comes around Income Tax Return time. I think by March we will start seeing parts shortages showing up or at least getting an idea of the parts that are no longer available at the distributor level. The next big rush comes around mid-season when people get mid-season rebuilds (June-July). I think by June-July we will start seeing shortages show up and start to make comprimises in the engine packages. Example: If you need a .015" piston and no .015" pistons are available, you have to go up to the next bore size or larger to find the next available pistons. I suspect .010"-.015" pistons will go first, then .020"-.025", then .030"-.035" as they are used up. By mid to late 2007 (September-October) I think we will start to see where some shops had stocked up on parts and will start to charge a premium for "missing" parts. An by late 2007 (November-December) builders will have to just start telling karters they can not get parts to do their rebuilds no matter how much hunting and "bidding" on parts they do. And once that happens...... say goodbye to the Raptor.... it's done.