Competitors had a meeting with the category manager at the Bend
and according to this report are concerned.
When you think about it, the category has been in something of an identity crisis for a while now - is it for well-heeled part-timers to enjoy themselves or does it want a big fanbase for example has been a discussion point for 2 or 3 years now. The focus seems to be on the former but if the costs associated make it too much for them, then low entries could be the norm.
I see that Mr Taylor understands the "transitional" year but is saying that many of the entries not taking part aren't necessarily going to wait that long. Tough situation for the new category managers to work out but clearly there are some issues in how it is being run too. The point about the category manager agreeing with competitors a month ago to contact those choosing to not take part to find out why not - and then not making those contacts is a telling one in my view.
Your point re population is valid Speed-King, plus of course the competitors have a non-CAMS GT series as an alternative in Australia now. Whichever series you choose to run in though, from all reports the cars are very expensive to buy, run and get parts compared to where GT3 costs used to be and in a small country like Australia, that has a larger impact.