I probably should refrain from throwing in my opinion since I haven't yet joined the SPA. But from what I read about current SPA competition it seems like most pilots are after slower speeds, higher torque and larger props for braking, hence the .91 Surpass popularity. Since the benefit of retracts - speed as Sport_Pilot said - doesn't seem to be what SPA pilots are after I wonder how many would use them if they were allowed. The other side of that coin is the philosophy thing of trying to prevent the SPA from requiring $1200 models in order to compete. But then again, a pneumatic tri-gear set can be had for only $150.