I wasn't present at Batley, so I can't comment on what was said or inferred. (I didn't enter the meeting, before anyone asks
)
I agree to some extent on the booking in and not turning up issue. But, we'd have to be careful that any rule that is 'thought up', doesn't 'scare' people off from entering in the first place.
Two methods that work well are from the 1/8th and 1/10th National series, they are slightly different, but offer the same principle.
1/10th:
Enter for the series before a certain date. Deposit up front with a post-dated cheque for the balanc to be taken out at sometime later.
Refunded entries for non-shows only if you inform the organisers 2 weeks before the event.
This works well for a well attended series as places are usually in much shorter supply than demand.
1/8th:
Pay a deposit of £50 (via a post-dated cheque) which is refundable (torn-up)on completion of the rounds you enter. Basically if you don't turn up for meetings, they keep your deposit.
Obviously the £50 is way too steep for regionals. But a figure could be arrived at that is both reasonable and 'not worth loosing' if you get my drift.
Or another thought I had.
Artificially raise the entry fee to each event. By say £2. Everyone who books in online or in-advance pays the extra £2 event (booking fee) and then when you book-in on the day you get the extra £2 back. Drivers who only enter on the day pay the full amount including the £2 extra.
This way you book-in early and guarantee your spot to get 'Cheaper' racing or you turn up and take the risk and pay a bit more. Kinda like booking your ticket for a gig on-line.
These are only my thoughts.
Please pick holes in them, maybe we can find a 'solution' to the problem.