"way too many open minimums that IMO are way too soft. So much easier to get a record in and become a points champion"
We only ran on established records.
Let me also classify "easy" for you all.
My 1.5 engine, (H class) that took 2 years to design and build was killed on the dyno two days after the May meet. By killed I mean shrapnel through the whole dry sump system, scored the custom crank, burned rods, bearings in many pieces etc etc. I borrowed Doug's F spare engine to run on for June, July and Bonneville and got rid of the dry sump system as we just couldn't do it reliably, without killing yet more engines (we killed 3 last season). My 1.5 was fixed in time for Bonneville, where my "beloved" husband takes it, thrashes the hell out of it, and eventually kills it again. A valve or valve seat dropped. (We had words about that one). It was re-built yet again, (I needed it for Sept), with a new piston and new head. The F engine, also died due to a radiator failure, which toasted the lot - warping the head and possibly the block.
So to add up the carnage, we have re-built 3 engines this year, been up for testing at the lake each month (except for Sept, cause we were putting in the engine and dynoing the night before) and spent countless hours on the dyno and in the garage doing engine swaps, testing of new parts / systems, updating fire systems (after catching on fire yet again at Bonneville) etc. We have killed many superchargers (KraftWerks must love us) and my kids refer to the parking lot behind the garage, as the play yard. Please don't think that this is/was easy. It takes lots of time and especially commitment and continued enthusiasm from everyone on the team. And then not to mention doing Rod Rider Secretary and SCTA Secretary, Assisting Starter etc etc etc. Easy... yeah right!