Completely disagree. Don't know when the last time you ran with them was, but the hardcard timing system can have many cars on the track, separated by floating intervals to avoid catch situations. You also get a hardcard for the entire weekend, even if you don't participate in the trials, so you are provided with times every time you are on track.
With the open track at the end of the day, you get as much time on track Day 2 as on Day 1.
You specifically mentioned not enough track time for the money. Tell me where I can get 200 minutes of track time for $225 at a major facility like NHMS, Watkins Glen, or LCMT and I will be there!
I'm not talking about a tiny circuit like ASE or Sanair where it's cheap to rent at night.[/QUOTE
Its Ok to disagree, 80 minutes may be your comfortable limit. The last time I ran with them was at LCMT- probably 5 years ago. Most of the people from our region agreed that track time was missing.
Modern time trials use transponders and run 10 + cars per session with limited passing situations.
Modern lapping clubs offer 7 x 30 minute sessions for $350- CTMP, CMP, LCMT and more. You can do the math.
You are right however, they do visit nice tracks, that's a plus- can't take that away form them. But with only 80 minutes available- its hardly worth the drive.
Open track never really happened in the 6 events that I participated in because of timing screw ups- but with registration down across the board and many drivers leaving before timed runs- maybe they now get some track time in.