Yes to all the above! Except maybe the alcohol part. Guy I knew was letting his like 10yr old son "customize" it. He was planning to enter it into a lawn mower derby. Fortunately for me, it never went. I found the governor bypassed and the throttle wired up. It wasn't wired wide open, but bypassed the governor nonetheless. Scared me.... but i think it's ok.
I'll find out one of these days.