Centerless recoil starter

A centerless recoil starter (26) in a small internal combustion engine (14) having a blower housing (28), a flywheel (36), and a crankshaft (38). The centerless recoil starter generally includes an annular cover (30) mounted to the blower housing and defining an airway (34) into the blower housing and the engine. The centerless recoil starter also includes an annular mechanism (74, 98, 100) for engaging the flywheel, thereby rotating both the flywheel and the crankshaft to start the engine.