Ruling could change Little 500

The proposal has come under scrutiny because it will make Alpha Tau Omega rider Hans Arnesen eligible again for the race after he gained Category 2 status this summer. While Arnesen will be eligible, Team Major Taylor rider Steve Ballinger, also a Category 2 rider, will not be allowed to participate because he enrolled at IU as a Category 3 rider.\nBallinger said the proposed rule does not provide an even playing field for every team in the race.\n"I think it's quite unjust," Ballinger said. "The team that is affected most by this is Team Major Taylor."\nUnder the proposed rule, because Arnesen enrolled at IU as a Category 5 rider, he will be able to ride, while his fellow Category 2 rider, Ballinger, can only watch from the stands.\n"Everyone should be equal," Ballinger said. "What I don't understand is Hans can race (if the rule passes) and I can't. I am disappointed."\nCritics say the rule will be changed because of Arnesen instead of what is best for the Little 500. Arnesen's position as president of the Riders' Council has only reinforced this belief, said current Kappa Alpha Theta coach and former Acacia coach Tom Schwoegler. \n"To me, that was the big flag up the flag pole was when Hans became the president of the Riders' Council," Schwoegler said. "It is being handled poorly by the IUSF. I think if you are making a rule change, you should throw it out there and see what people think."\nThe IUSF said a proposal was submitted by the Riders' Council in the spring of 2005, and it is still in the review process. A decision will be made before this year's race, IUSF Director Rob Rhamy said via e-mail. The IUSF declined further comment.\nIn response to critics of the proposed rule change, Arnesen said the change had been discussed before this year, and it is not coming up solely because he is currently ineligible.\n"Anyone who says that doesn't know the history of the Little 500," Arnesen said. "There has been talk to change the Category 2 rule since it came into place. The rule was proposed last year and now is finally coming to a decision."\nWhile rumor and speculation surround the proposed change, a final ruling has yet to be rendered.\n"The Riders' Council has talked about the rule," Arnesen said. "The final decision will come shortly."\nTo Schwoegler, the proposed change does not treat all riders in the race fairly.\n"The rules need to be applied consistently," Schwoegler said. "If this rule is applied, Hans will have an advantage and it will not be fair. All we want is for things to be fair. To me, it's not a Hans thing; you just want people to be smarter than that"