It's kind of a trade off...
IF parents want slower cars for young/ or new drivers, then the field will likely get bunched up and the resulting beating and banging will be a result there of.
So, I still have to asked the question; Should the speeds be graduated (increased) as experience is gained? Not necessarily related to age. Along with that comes questions of who decides. Would it be based on finishes, what the track officials think, what the parents think...
I don't think that putting a young, or inexperienced, driver in a faster, more powerful car is the solution. Then, to throw them out there with experienced drivers... Gonna get some folks pretty upset! Not to mention a greater chance for injury.
I'm still going to suggest that changing the chip on the rev limiter; and/or graduating the field, look like viable options as opposed to just a gear rule. The biggest down side is that there are a lot of tracks with very few cars. Chance and Tristan have eluded to the fact that sometimes they have as few as 4 cars and other times as many as 7. Not great car counts! In that respect; Tracks, and Track Promoters, have a rough job in trying to justify running the class at all. I would like to hear Tracy's thoughts on that.
If you really want to get some heated debate going... There are a number of race fans that go to see the wrecks. I, personally, like to go watch a clean, well run race. As a driver/ owner; I don't have the money and time to be repairing equipment on a regular basis. If I were a track owner or promoter; I would like to see the people filling my stands get there excitement. As I said; It's going to be a trade off. Where you draw the line... I don't know! I don't think most people want to see a driver injured... But, the wrecks can be pretty spectacular! Just ask some of our members who have been there and done that. !!!
I posed the question over on legendsnation. Have gotten responses that include such comments as "you don't want my opinion" (guessing not a Bando fan) to similar suggestions that are being made in this thread. I would like to see some kind of compromise come out of this question, and the comments that are being made by those concerned.
Have fun!!! .... But Be Safe!!!
Steve
Answer??? Looks like this debate could take a while. INEX, the parents, the racers, and the track owners are going to have to hash this one out