That's easy, they got to race for the money they spent. They have a direct correlation to spending money and then racing.
When you spend money on a membership, you get a card in the mail. That's it. You don't get a single thing more. The 1/4 point races in most areas would exist, no matter what. it just wouldn't be called a 1/4 point race.
When they show up to the track, they pay their entry fee and they race. That is an instant return on the dollars you spend. Anyone that races experiences that.
To some, buying a membership would be the same as going to the track, paying to enter a class but not racing. They would just be adding to the pot but with no chance to get any return on their dollar.
You and I see spending money on a membership as OK. For me, I ask myself if I waste money on other stuff that has less value than a membership. I say, "yes", I do waste money....so a membership is no big deal. Plus I like racing the 1/4 point races in my area because they generally have a couple more people than a regular show. I like the competition. To race in most 1/4 point events, the administrators require a national membership.
I'm not the average guy. There is no denying, there are a lot of racers that see very little to no reason to join. Is that a big deal? I don't know for sure BUT I think it would be better if we showed more members active.
As for getting someone to keep up with my points, with my membership, Davis does that for free so not a dime of anyone's membership goes for that.....not a dime.
That's my opinion. If that's "making stuff up as I go", so be it.
Mike