Andy, I think the crossover cars would be IT legal in most cases before this rule. The people doing it are usually looking for track time, and not running max prepped SMs in IT races. (Not to say at some places an SM can't be a winner.)
With me being a Mazda and an SM guy I still agree this is not the right way for those cars to be included. Save the real or perceived Mazda influence for something way more important then this. It sort of comes across as being favortism (even if Mazda iteslf could care less about the SM / IT relationship.)

I like to see the SMs out there (Greg should too as it gives him more cars to lap. :P ) But if their rules were in the least bit STABLE this wording would have never come up. [/b]
I hear you. Like I said, Jake and I are looking into it. The 99+ issue is not something I support - proceedural questions aside.