Why not make the race a bit more interesting. Allow a racer killed in the race the chance to still place. The racer of course has to restart at M-14 (the biggining) and complete the entire voyage. Make a time limit, starting after the first place racer crosses the finish line. This allows a player who was killed (by pirates) to restart and possibly still finish the race. Race progress is still monitored in the group and start/finish is still in Odia M-14. Imagine if YOU were the first racer to be killed, start over, and win first place....ahh, the glory of it all.

This is a player run event. So petitioning the Devs to change a player run event is odd...

On the other hand, one day I hope for my Deneb Run mission to be approved.... *le sigh*.