PERFECT VS GOOD ENOUGH
It’s pretty obvious that all the drop-separation analysis has been based on somewhat approximate science. If we had had a giant database to work with it might have been possible to do a better job. However, there were some non-scientific aspects of the problem that were considered.
If the only goal was to create courses on which records were possible it would be fairly easy to create a single easy-to-understand criterion for a record-quality course. All it would take would be to require that start and finish be located in the same place. In other words, only closed-loop and exact out-back courses would qualify. This would leave wind aid as a possibility, but would eliminate downhill aid. It would also eliminate the vast majority of certified courses from record consideration.
When the search for criteria was going on, consideration was given to inclusiveness. It was seen as desirable that the end result should not shut out too many courses from record consideration. When the dust had settled on all the scientific arguments, it was seen that the present record limits included about 90 percent of all certified courses.
Given the complexities and uncertainties of setting up record criteria for road courses I believe that what we have is good enough.