[Heliarc]

I'm not sure why it matters when you run it hard, but on a two stroke, especially an older one like this, hard starting can mean a vacuum leak.

If you have the money and you believe your shop guy is any good I'd have him check the crankshaft seals, jug base gasket, case halves, and all gaskets/seals on the intake. A guy with a good ear for two strokes can find a vacuum leak by spraying ether around suspected areas and listening for a change in the pitch of the engine and/or detonation.

This should be a pretty cheap test and even if it turns up nothing you'll have piece of mind as a vacuum leak on two strokes is detrimental to the engine. More air=less fuel=less lubrication.