[Si Coe]

Last year, Southport's 1st round had a slow booking in because so many peoples details needed entering, but after that all the other rounds ran smoothly. That wasn't due to numbers, just the fact that following the winter indoor series at Chadderton, the majority of the drivers were already in Bury's database (also used at Keighley) so booking them in was really just a matter of collecting the money and arranging heats.

Bury has 2 sets of transponders, meaning PT's aren't required for 11 car or more heats. I'm sure if need be these could be available to other clubs.

The issue here is not the Southport meeting. The issue is the mad rush to pre-book for every other round, even one months away as everyone panics that they won't get a place.

Personally I won't be racing in the regionals this year, because I just think this is plain silly and I know I'm not alone in being put off by the stampede to pre-book.

Regionals are supposed to be open to everyone, not just the first 70 people who booked in in March for a race in June and filled both classes.

We need to improve the system so that anyone who wants to race can, not just turn around and go 'tough luck, we're full', which is the case now.

Pre-booking helps on a packed day I agree, and I'm quite in favor of being booked in before I leave the house, but full entry lists weeks in advance are a different matter.

If pre-booking suggest you are going to get 140 entries and the meeting isn't for a least a fortnight, don't close the entries, work out how to make it work! Either get those in two classes to choose one and let some more folks race, or find a way to race 140 drivers in a day. If you know thats the case in advance, you've time to solve it.