Nobody is arging that the CRA fee is unreasonable or overly expensive. The valid argument is that the structure itself is very discouraging to one time racers, especially those with 2 or 3 kids, visitors to the area, or people have never raced and who just want to give it try, and see if they like it before committing the family budget for the next year. As a person who has brought dozens of new racers into the community over the years, I have personally run across all of these scenarios, on multiple occasions, and I feel that both promoters and the CRA are losing money and the pool of racers is shrinking because of it. I have proposed this guest membership it in the past, and am still a proponent of the idea, not because I feel the CRA is not entitled to the money, but because I feel they are losing money and riders.
Instead of poo-pooing the idea outright, implying that a guy who doesn't want to buy 3 annual memberships for one race is a cheapskates and immediately finding reasons it would not work, why not put our collective heads together and figure out a way to make it work, and attract more newbies to later become hopelessly addicted to the sport?
I think the score keeping issues would best be addressed by someone who actually keeps score. I don't think its nearly as complicated as assumed. There are some unsanctioned classes now. One time temp memberships can be setup to expire, be disqualified for points, non-renewable, so a CRA card later would be treated as new rider and not require points backtracking. Your CRA number would be entered as "temp" at signup. No need to buy and issue temp card. Event trophies and plaques come from the promoter, not the CRA, so the daily standings do not have to match the points. A prorated membership is a great idea as attendance seems to dwindle near the season end.
I do know that by having non-sanctioned 3 wheeler classes in the past, I was able to bring in a lot of race experimenters who later became committed. I know of a couple families right now who wait for the next Smith Rd for their kids to join Dad in racing because they will only race a couple times a year. I know of two friends who were traveling with quads from Florida and Cincinatti, and decided to run a HS because they were given CRA cards for $10. I know there are enough ideas out there that could make it work smoothly to benefit the business.
While looking and comparing AMA costs, you might also consider what has happened to attendance, and evaluate the current relationship between promoters and the AMA before deciding you want to go there. Higher costs does not equal more incoming revenue, and more AMA promoters than ever are considering going outlaw. The CRA has thrived where the AMA has declined, simply because its much easier and less costly for newbies to get their foot in the door. If you capitalize on getting them easily through the door, you have a lot more long term sources of revenue.
