my opinion

[novassdude]

As far as racers hanging back I have seen alot of non touring pros that like to do that. As others have mentioned after third call and before the first pair goes down the lanes should be closed to all.
In my opinion switching to a pro tree will not hurt the touring pros in the least. No matter what you do to the tree the pros will have more hits and adjust to it faster.
Don there will never be a fair playing field as you seem to be looking for. There is no way to have a system where ever one has the same chance to win. Some people are just better racers.

John Kristianson