They can but then the Race Committees will simply refuse to use it as then they will have to check crew weights at each event.

The issues with a measurement based rating system can all be traced back to what a RC accepts and doesn't accept.

One person once said that there is no reason why a measurement rating system can be just a very elaborate VPP (Velocity Prediction Program) that is used by record breaking designers who do BBQ and IDEC. Technically he is correct. Hell, we can even train an artificial neural network to do the job as this assumes no prior knowlegde of the system that is modelled.

The problem of course is that the RC's NEED to use it. When it becomes to involved or complex then THEY refuse to do so; even when the numbers are much more accurate. Final result the handicap system needs to be actively dumbed-down to make sure that RC will accept and use it.

One of such simplifications is the fact that ONLY one rating number for all courses and all conditions is created. Making this very accurate is technically impossible, but it is key requirement by RC's. Any yardstick system will suffer from the same problem.

Wouter