Yes, but last year’s motor is the serial number that FIRST Spec’d in their own documentation (and the KOP checklist does NOT give a serial number) so it would seem as if last year’s motor is legal to use. Question is, did any of the teams actually get the S/N 16638628 Motor??
Additionally if <R20> is read, the part “[Last year’s motors] may be used as direct one-to-one SPARE PARTS for those provided if the provided part fails or is damaged.” I would say the 52RPM is a failed part (hence the “bad” sticker, perhaps?!?!). It does continue to say though “They may only be used if they are identical to the part being replaced,” and continues to suggest that only the Fischer price motors fall in this category.
From what I have been told of this van door motor, it was intended to be a factory replacement for last year’s motor. However, it does not perform that way. My gut feeling is that if other teams have a motor from the kit that spins almost 80RPM we are at a huge disadvantage sitting with a motor that only spins 52RPM.
I hope to hear from FIRST, other than that we can swap at competition. If we have to swap at competition, we run the risk of throwing portions of our automode off, due to the inablity to test them, and we have to go custom machine our shaft again.