I know the fellow that was DQ'd and it doesn't surprise me. We have it in our rules also, cut line.
GT-12 at our track is working out well and in our case the SJT tires (we are on CRC Fastrac only no paved racing) are the reason. It is ultra competitive for the veterans and a easy step in for the beginners. Our point days are easily a 12 car field (not bad for club races in the dead of winter) and the off weekends are half that. The only other class that is close is T/C stock.

By the way we don't run a 25.5 with a 2 cell. Not the purpose of this class. If you live in AZ and Nevada go there- they run it there so I've been told? Every where else we run 21.5 and 1 cell.
The class as it is run is fun as we run it here in Fla (foam). And how they run it with the rubber tires (indoors - up north ) and foams elsewhere.

Do the SJT's just not work on asphalt or are there just too many Foam hold outs?

When we tried the class with foams a few years ago, it didn't get much interest but we are in the heart of 1/12 scale country. I think it was just another 1/12 scale class at the time and failed as such.
We do keep it true with 1 cell (remember, the Indoor Champs was always 4-cell) and the 21.5 is a perfect fit.

Is the Gate using a spec 21.5 or is it open? We are running the Reedy 21.5 Fixed Timing with spec gearing over at One Eight Racers of Toledo.

We are just starting things up in Wisconsin but so far it is the Motiv USGT fixed timing motor, open gearing, on the purple stripe spec foam. Lap times are very close.

The rubber tires did not work outdoors- blistered. Now if there are other compounds of the rubber tire compounds to try outdoors we will be glad to try them. By the way we run open motors down here with no problems and open gearing.

we use the Gravity USGT spec motor and open gearing.

Pretty much need a little compliance in the tire for pavement. The SJT tires are really hard. I am amazed they grip like they do. My current set has over 20 runs and .3mm of wear. Getting the chassis sorted is key to long tire life.

there is nothing wrong with the spec tires (foam) for outdoors and indoors. Yes you do get more runs on a set as ya'll say. But I'll stay with my CRC foams for GT12 Down here where we run mostly outdoors. Like I said when they get wore down they are ready for the carpet. from my discussions with my tire tester on the asphalt the rubber tires made the cars chatter. So they would need something like the old days of capped tires.
Bottom line racing cost money so whatever you want to race costs -truing tires will always be here where it's foam or rubber. the same for balancing the tires (which I do). You race to have fun- at least I do .

The "like" button isn't working for me this morning. Thanks, I'll put that body on my list.

How are the rubber tires guys cleaning their tires? We use sxt for traction compound and I have used that and motor spray to clean my tires. Traction compound seems to sink into the tires though, and I am not sure if it has a negative effect on the next run. Motor spray usually leaves some gunk behind on the tires still. Also, are people really truing the rubber tires? Currently I just rotate them from left to right to get even wear and set my front camber to wear them flat.

The best way I found to prep the SJT tires was just to clean them with sauce 5 min before your heat. Motor spray takes grip out of the tires and letting sauce sit made them take too long to get going.

Does that mean you are just applying sauce 5 minutes before the race, then wiping off right before you put in on the track? Or applying sauce and wiping it off right away? And yes, motor spray definitely takes traction out of the tire. Not a worry with the rears, but the front of the car can push bad when you only dope the inner 1/3. I'll mess around with them a little more tonight. Thanks

Apply the sauce and wipe it off right away, 5mins before you go out