I really think you guys have touched on a good point re: dropping the concept of qualifying for the Runoffs.
The whole concept is a lazy hold-over from the days when we actually had enough racers to have two Club Racing programs, National and Regional. Game Over, that doesn't exist any more, give it up.
Let's just have races.
If you want to go to the Runoffs, yeah, OK, maybe you gotta run 2 race weekends, or something like that.
Do you have to be good enough to participate? What the hell does that mean any more? Licensing is gone (as a distinction). Finishing position/results, outside of SM, SRF, and FV, is pretty much thrown away by now too, with such small fields etc.
So just accept the reality of the situation and simply require participation in 2 race weekends. That's it. That's all you need to go to the Runoffs. Oh, and you can't bring an IT car.
Even if I didn't need to race one weekend, to go to the Runoffs... would I? Hell yeah, 'cause I need to shake my car down, develop it, keep my skills sharp, etc. So why does it matter when/where that occurs?
Club Racing would be a lot healthier if we all raced together, instead of scattered at different tracks on different dates, like a bunch of Time Trial-ers.
As for the cost of going racing - as has already been well pointed out, that's purely self-inflicted.
I NEED an enclosed trailer.
I NEED a garage.
I NEED hotel rooms.
I NEED to eat lunch and dinner out every night.
I NEED a full day of testing.
I NEED a shop to prep my car, and support it at the track.
I NEED new tires every session.
etc. etc.
That's pure, unmitigated BS. Those are luxuries. Too bad everyone getting into club racing these days sees those as the norm, and confuses them with requirements.