Since the requirements of the program (in the docs that were available when I took the class) specify that all candidates need to take the Advanced two-day school, I am assuming that evaluations from that will be crucial to culling the field down to that 33. They'll probably keep some substitutes too in case some of the 33 can't be at Sebring, or go pro in the meantime. Getting the recommendation gets you the 20% discount to the advanced class, and when I booked mine, I didn't have any problems getting that discount recognized.
There's a business aspect ot all this, I understand, and getting more 3-day and advanced school pupils was one of the goals of the program. Would I have signed-up for the advanced class if I didn't get the recommendation? Probably not, but I really wanted to anyway, and the recommendation and the Academy was the carrot on the stick that got me permission from the wife to enroll. So for that I am grateful.
But, my goal is to be in Sebring for the shootout, so I am going to do my best next week at my class, and I think I will be in good shape.
Ryan