What about doing it via bankruptcy Frank? Those teams that have no manager, and no money (because they paid too much for staff/drivers etc). It'd be nice if they remain without a manager for 'x' amount of time, that they get removed from competition and get a reset thus losing all staff and drivers.
I know of a number of good staff and drivers that got signed by teams like this, who went bankrupt. It's a shame for that talent to be wasted sitting there in inactive teams.
Just had another thought about this. What about having a maximum number of missed races inserted into every contract like you do with the sponsors, that way they will automatically leave the team through that ruling.
If that was to be implemented and we would have to start somewhere, you can give every one who has got a contract or been offered one a set "maximum of 9 missed races" as this will free people from bot teams but not affect active teams. Then the people who become approachable after this has been implemented allow the manager to set the figure.
I like where you're going with that Adam. Nine is a good number because I can understand if a team joins a quarter way through the season they may want to just focusing on being ready for the next season but if you're there from the start you really should be racing.
The only thing I'm unclear about is what would happen if you withdrew from competition. Assuming you keep your staff when you do that then you probably don't get scored as missing races so that may require an alternative solution.
Perhaps the staff and drivers could become approachable and available for immediate move after a certain amount of missed races. Sort of a breach of contract clause.
I like that idea Adam! We would need to think about the leave competition option though as Geoff said, what would happen in that case.
Because if we implement both features, then the teams will leave competition, but will never get a breach in their contract as the leave competition rule would override that. Then again, it's quite realistic that no driver is going to want to stay in a team that leaves for 2 seasons (so I guess it's okay to do it for every team, even for those who are out of competition).
I used 9 races as it will have to be implemented in every current contract for it to work I think so if it is set at 9, it shouldn't screw up anybody who is active and uses the drivers/staff members. When you come to offer a new contract, then it gets set to whatever the manager sets it at. Also, it should only count missed races that the driver/staff member has been at the team for as it would be unfair to sign someone in week 8 and have 4 missed races in the contract when they race/are registered in a staff role in all the remaining races and are able to leave.
Perhaps the driver/staff member could have the option to stay at the team and have the allow immediate transfer option activated or to leave the team and become unemployed.
As for leaving competition, well not many people will choose to stay with a team that has pulled out of competition so these contracts should be set to allow immediate transfer. If a team already out of competition signs someone (if it is possible) then they won't have that option, unless the team doesn't join a division in the following season.
These clauses will also help stop teams from hoarding drivers/staff with no intention of using them as well.
While talking about allowing immediate moves and automatic contract cancellations, a news center message or a notification would be very nice for shortlisted persons. Maybe even a press message.
