John, so it costs $290 to race...so what? If it cost a more reasonable $225, would that make it now workable? $65 less? That's a drop in the bucket in the big scheme of things.
I understand what you're trying to say, but on the flip side couldn't I make the argument what's the big deal of a $355 entry fee? Hey, it's only $65 more than the $290 you mentioned isn't so bad. What about another $65 on top of that? There's a price point where racers need to say the cost outweighs the benefit.

"in the course of a race season it's chump change."

It all depends upon what one's "race season" is. For me, I'm hopeful for 5 events - six if I'm super lucky. $65 per event does impact the outcome. I'd be more than happy to be a chump and take your change. And then sometimes traveling isn't such a bad thing and nice way to sell it to the family. Labor Day Summit Point = DC trip for wife, kid, and friend(s).