I also think the Fiat had some issues.
A lot of good points brought, and since I am driving in both the Chumpcar this weekend and also drove in the 8 hour last weekend, here is my thoughts.
1) While I enjoy Chumpcar, there is some REALLY bad drivers out there on the course. If some of these teams ended up running the Cascade Enduro I am sure that guys like Bullet would not want to be out there. That being said, I know that incidents happen at all levels and sometimes really bad things can happen, but for the most part when you are driving in a conference race, you have pretty good idea who the guys you are driving against are, and their abilities; whereas with Chumpcar there are some guys who just plain drive like Asshats (and don't think passing under yellow is such a big deal..)
2) I completely agree that the event was really down played this year. It should be sold as if it's not an option; Drivers MUST attend to defend their honor!
3) Maybe encourage novices to drive with area/senior drivers, it's a fantastic learning experience, and I am sure they will learn more in one enduro then several novice races (but maybe only allow one novice per team.) Heck, have someone there to sign up new Novices so their first Conference race can be in an Enduro with a real team, offer a discount if a team can attract a new driver that has prior experience in Chumpcar/Lemons.
4) Yes, this event may seem to have turned in to a test n tune for Thunderhill, but then why not use that as an advantage? Sell it as a chance for some one to go up against a team that may appear on the next "Survive the 25" TV show..
5) Why was nobody involved aware of what was going on just outside the gate?! That was a frickin' gift for the Enduro if it had been taking advantage of. What is one thing LeMans has, activities for the families and spectators to do when they don't want to watch us go round and round.. We had a frickin' Carnival and Haunted House just across the way, someone should have been over there handing out flyers for the Enduro inviting people to come by and watch, or seeing if we could get discount admission to give to family members who came to the enduro (perhaps those wearing PIR wrist bands..)
IMHO, if this organization is not willing to seize opportunities or think outside the box and rely on "the old ways", then numbers will continue to decrease..