I'm not so sure, Ammo. The distinct impression I got during Manx fortnight was that the MMCC WERE surprised by the drop in numbers, by the strength of the riders' protests and by the realisation that the grids would be even more depleted next year. I believe that they expected people to complain loudly and then to just accept that they must do more meetings. There is no way that they CAN know just how many riders will be hanging up their leathers if these "revised" rules stay as they are ...... unless they are TOLD by the riders themselves, or else some sort of survey is carried out.
I think that everyone accepts that the License is here to stay. Only the MMCC are in a position to convince the ACU that the current criteria are senseless and need to take more factors into account. :x