OK here's my personal opinions;
a) Handicapping.
I think the aim should be to try to produce close racing but not completely at the cost of overly handicapping the faster drivers, after all it wouldn't be racing if the best were forced to lose. Specific comments per division below.
b) Race nights
Sundays and Tuesdays suit me, might be able to do some Fridays. My issue is keeping the race starts at 9pm, any earlier and it would interfere with dad's duties.
c) Season length
Like the idea of a long winter and shorter summer season. People may not be able to make so many events during the summer period.
d) Team liveries
Always liked the idea but can see drawbacks re it's a bit of a pain to implement, especially where we can't guarantee everyone will turn up.
e) Driving school
Maybe use of the word 'school' is a bit condescending. Like the idea though, maybe it's worth seeing how many actually want to sign up and decide from there.
I don't support only allowing race entry subject to a track test as it might put people off joining, mind you if a run around was voluntary that would be fine.
f) Moderating team
Not really in a position to comment but the others are a great bunch.
Divisions;
65's - keep them as is, the handicapping systems seem to work pretty well. We do seem to be getting a large group of Coopers in the Novices but I think that reflects the chasm up to Amateurs. If we could get enough drivers to justify three divisions the Coopermen could form the basis of an intermediate group. Not in favor of forced relegation/promotion as it's the drivers decision to make. I'd be in favor of making the Stop and Go compulsory in Novices to save argument and make it more realistic.
Historics - don't drive them much but we seem to have a core group of drivers so must be working well. Handicap system appears to work well although it does negate team chassis.
Graduates - I think the one reset in Privateers is working well. Might be an idea to run different tracks, now found out you can do that without any restructuring of the database setup.
I'm open to suggestions on tokens/handicapping but see my thoughts on Pit Stops, I wouldn't relish having to check them from a moderating point of view.
That said in the three seasons so far to date we have had 5 different leaders which tells me, team preferences aside, the token system seems to be working.
Perhaps it would be an idea to give the less able more starting tokens, at least in Privateers, if ability handicapping is what we want. It could produce issues with allocations to new joiners.
Spec Challenge - Bill has opened a separate thread re possible immediate changes. In the long term I think it has run it's course for now. There's only so many combinations you can try before it becomes repetitive, maybe something to reignite for a fresh challenge in a few seasons time. The alternative would be to move it to Fridays for a more niche market.
If we drop the Specs that leaves a gap on Sundays. I'm keen on trying a GT series but that might be devisive, does everyone like and want to run the GT's or is it like marmite? I think whatever we run on Sundays should appeal to a wide audience and allow everyone to participate. If there isn't a mass audience for GT's we could run something on Fridays to whet peoples appetite. If we don't do GT's on Sundays what else; the 69's have been tried and didn't garner many drivers. I'm quite keen on the idea of two mini-series (eg GT's and something else), keeps it a little more fun and doesn't overload us with serious championships. With only half the races it might give some different drivers a chance to shine.
What I'd ideally like on a Sunday is two mini-series of half the normal races; one a GT challenge and the other a 67 Formula 2 challenge (subject to it being released on time) possibly using the next Novs/Ams track (which one?) to avoid taxing people with too many different tracks in a short period.
As regards GT handicapping it's an interesting one. Logic would say handicap by ability according to each track but I can see Clive's point in that it would be overly complex. I don't have another solution but let's see what you guys come up with.
Friday server - need to decide whether it's just random fun/test races or something a bit more organised. The drawback with something organised is we would need someone who could commit to every Friday to run it.
4/5 - Moderating/Rules
I like the idea of full scrutiny of lap one, doesn't seem like too much extra work. In favor of the 3 proposed rule changes although the Stop and Go issue would be obsolete if they became compulsory.
Lastly I see there are some calls for Pit Stops. I know I always say I don't like them but I've never elucidated. First, and correct me if I'm wrong, it sounds like a modders nightmare - check every drivers race and avidly watch with a stopwatch to make sure we all did the right time. I like things professional but that doesn't sound like fun. Second look at the last 67 season we ran them (
S17), down to a dirty dozen regulars and most take the slower cars to avoid the cuppa. Third, doesn't someone have to sit there and work out where to stop for each track and put them into a table per race - any volunteers? Fourth, and maybe most importantly, there is an undetectable patch out there that lets you refuel and repair under Pro conditions. I'm not saying we're cheaters (we are not) but if you have to sit in the pits isn't it tempting to run lower fuel and plonk a few gallons in? Plus tidy up any damage while your eating your scones...
I don't want to appear totally anti as I've never run it and don't know the plus sides - what are they? I'm always open to persuasion
