I honestly think this is a smart move and will help you in the long run. Bumping to expert only after one season isn't the way to go. You can argue the whole "only as fast as the competition you associate with" and justify to yourself, but at the end of the day - you may get faster, but do you get more experience? The point I am making is that back in the day, we would run the first year as a Novice and then run the National Challenge Series as a Novice and if enough points, we would go expert and run regionals. In other words, I think an extra year isn't a bad thing and to those that think you'll be cherry picking - I don't think that will be the case. It is a carrot for the field and something for them to get better and essentially bring the level of Novices up a bar or two. Thus, you get to expert and I will bet that you will be on the same level as a guy that moved up after only one season as a Novice. I think what happens is that guys get excited over the plate color. The guys that work on craft and don't care about color end up better for it. Not saying a single guy on here is in that color struck mode... But what I am saying is that finishes and times are what is being looked at (hopefully). Yes, you can push out a fast lap and finish in the top of the field, but can you do a fast lap and dig in and do even faster when prompted? Can you handle situations that require you to fall back on experience you've built over the years? I think everyone here is fast enough to be expert and will be fine. I just am supporting Hollyhaswood in his decision as I think he will be fine and advance well. I'm just worried about you youngins and me trying to learn a bike and sort shit with you all hammering out fast laps! I enjoyed watching you all last year and how you all advanced.