Malcolm UK,
I don't think bringing up this subject will make you "unpopular" at all. Al himself has stated that he "doesn't know where the 425 kilo comes from."
The confusing FIA rules, records, and classes will never take away from the monumental LSR achievements of Teague, Summers, Vesco, or Burkland.
Personally, I admire the outstanding record of precision timing established by men like Crocker, Cagle, Barrett, and, more recently, the Rice Bros. For me, the SCTA/BNI "book" is what truly counts in the world of LSR.
Willi