Guys,
I am very happy to see some clarification after the initial commotion. I did phone Dennis after my enthusiastic post, and I completely agreed with his take on things. It may be better to wait for next year and be well-prepared, for one, and secondly, as far as I know Stayin' Safe is also a very good program. All in all I think that the STAR is going to be awesome either way.
What I really can say is that after all these years riding, track schools, track days and a few races, Lee's theory AND practice principles allowed me to pull together my riding into one consistent, scaleable and less strenuous style. The day after the Instructor workshop, I went riding with a Gateway Rider friend in the Ozarks. We rode for 6 hours straight with only a scrumptious lunch break (+fuel and pit stop). Despite his knowing these roads like the back of his hand, having ridden them for the last 25+ years, he was tired before I was. Amazing, considering I was on my heaviest ride (the VFR) and that I am not particularly big and strong.
That is why I was eager to share with the gang-- even if you are at supremo riding level, this method will extend your riding hours, days and years, would it be only for the reduced effort. Being a mechanical engineer by trade, I can also vouch for the underlying theory-- it all adds up.
See you on the road, and a great day to all!