[Al Skierkiewicz]

For those who have not read the update (Why Not!?!)
<R31> So that every robot’s maximum power level is the same, the motors in the kit may
not be modified except as follows:
• It is acceptable to modify the mounting brackets and/or other structural parts
of the motors (output shaft, housing, etc.) as long as the electrical system is
not modified and the integral mechanical system of the moving parts
(bearings, bushings, worm gear output stages, etc.) is not changed or removed...


The intent is to allow teams to modify mounting tabs and the like, not to gain a weight reduction by potentially compromising the structural integrity of any
motor.

As Dave pointed out above, drilling through the magnet to allow air flow violates this rule. Have you thought about what you are doing when you drill through a magnet? You are reducing the amount of magnetic material and therefore the field strength, thus reducing the output power of the motor. In addition, I have not yet seen a magnet that will drill without chipping which makes the reduction in field even worse. Occasionally, this type of abuse has been known to kill the field altogether.(vibration, chipping and cracking) You could drill through the case where there is no magnet but unlike the FP or drill motors, there is no internal fan to move the air.
BTW, I think I might be inspecting again this year and I will look for holes.

P.S. Can everyone quote the rule they are referring (from now on)to so we don't have to open a new browser window to see the reference?