The problem as I see it is that this class is trying too hard to encompass too many sets of parameters to include to diverse a set vehicles and power supplies - kids, geezers, BL, brushed, lipo, nimh's, blinky, non-blinky, etc., etc., etc. - to the point it's turned into a "catch all class" .... And the problem with "catch all classes" is they're impossible to enforce.
Having run into this sort of thing many times before over many years at many different tracks there are tons of arguments:
* You can't have a class to include just kids, if youngsters are running in other classes.
* You can't have a class to include older guys, if older guys are running in other classes.
* You can't have a class to include just 17.5 BL motors (or brushed motors), if those motors are allowed to run in other classes.
* Etc., etc., etc.
* And calling it the "540 class" legitimizes the class, and once you do that you open it to all takers.
The other problem I see is people being allowed to use this as a fallback class. When they see they're not competitive in the bigboy classes, they drop in a 17.5 or 540 motor and then beat up on the newbies - that ain't right and shouldn't be allowed.
Now I do disagree over batteries being an issue in this class, unless they continue to allow boost-able ESCs, being as I've tested my practice packs against my 60C-plus packs and IMHO the high dollar Lipo packs don't give you any added speed in 17.5 and slower classes I've run.
I also disagree with those that say so-called "blinky mode" ESCs are expensive - because they're really not, being as those that purchase those boostable ESCs already spent the money, and in reality any "one-touch" style ESC (which includes any older and/or less expensive brands) should be included in the list of approved blinky ESCs.
What I do see is the need for a "Newbie" or "Rookie" class, and limit it to strictly new drivers - use it as a stepping stone class, and once someone's run it it long enough (6 months?) or won the class enough times (3 win limit) boot them up to the next class. But call it some name that any experienced wheel wouldn't embarrass themselves by entering in it. Having someone run in your 540 class for over a year is counter productive, they need to be moved up and into the faster classes and if they're not that good they need to get used to running in the E-Final (or wherever is appropriate for their skill level). At the same time suggest to them that while they can buy speed that it doesn't necessarily mean they'll be faster, so maybe they should keep running their 540/17.5 in the faster class.
If you want to have a "Senior class," for the older drivers, let the older guys run with the older guys - but keep them away from the younger drivers too (they're too savvy, and have too big a pocketbooks, for their own good), let alone allowing them to beat up on the inexperienced drivers. They had their day of outrunning the field when they were young and their reactions quicker, and now that they're older and not as fast they need to get used to running in the lower finals with the other slower drivers. And not using the 17.5/540 class as their new domain.
The if you have a regular 17.5 class, or what used to be called "stock class," then you should be only limited by the current national/international rules for said class.
Ultimately, to me at least, it comes down to the fact that "back in the day" it used to be a lot easier - as you had just 2 classes, "stock" and "modified." You ran one or the other. Now I blame many of these problems on the ruling organizations (IFMAR, ROAR, etc.) - by adding classes at the drop of the hat, while not keeping up with technology so as to keep boosted ESCs out of the "strictly stock" classes. But it really comes down to individual clubs to keep things sorted so racing stays fun and competitive for everyone - but you've got to de-legitimize these sort of "made up classes" to keep the experienced drivers out of them.
~ Best Of Luck
