There were some very good engines coming straight out of the box (maybe they still are) and they were better still after going through the engine builders. Combined with the carb, set-up asnd driver experience these are showing themselves to be very competitive. The `special' engines you refer to are only a part of the overall package but even at several thousands they do not give an incredible advantage but even one ot two tenths will show through providing the driver is able to put in consistent laps. You also need to look beyond just the engine. There vare drivers who change their chassis during the season because they start to go off. Are all chassis equal or are there some `specials' available to people with the right contacts? Look also at the extras that are available - The manufacturers of the Iztech seats were talking about them giving 1/10th or 2/10th at a fraction of the cost of the special engines. Then you have to look at the amounrt of driver training and time in the seat - there are drivers who regularly do a few hundred laps every week. Some will spend time on the dyno - setting the dyno room to the anticipated temperature etc for the track and setting the carb up as close as possible for the conditions. Having time and money can make a big difference but it is not all down to spending £5k or £10k on an engine. There has been a post suggesting that Honda is the way forward if you want to avoid the cheque book racing but the same thing can happen there. in fact quite recently there was the suggestion that a `right of purchase' be introduced whereby anyone could buy another driver's engine for a fixed price (aroun £500). The reason given was that the engine builders were building perfectly legal engines but matching selected parts to build quicker engines.
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