I remember how I felt last year when I couldn't race the Winternational's because I had a grade three, and just missed out on it....I wasn't happy! However, I was bound and determined to make certain I wasn't denied entering that race this year, so I did two things and I believe Charlie touched on this one: I participated in five D7 pts races last year, so as to build my grade point count up, and most importantly (as I think Charlie also mentioned), I made a mental note of the very first day (Christmas Eve 2015), that grade 5's could enter the Winternationals, and when I entered, there was less than 10 (possibly less than 5) entered, so I made damn sure I wasn't going to miss it this year, and I did that for the Phoenix and Denver events I entered. Having a grade 5 was the main thing, but entering A.S.A.P. on the first available day with those grade points matters too.....If I recall correctly grade 4's and even some grade 3's made the Winternats this year....I will do my best to not have less than a grade 5 from now on, and that's the primary reason I moved from Colorado, to Arizona....I'm closer to more tracks, and can now run more points races for also around $500 bucks!
