http://www.wser.org/2014/01/26/lottery-ticket-increases-2n-1/
This is probably the right move. WG is in for sure for 2015, with 16 tickets.
But, even with the new tougher qualifying requirements, single-ticket holders will now stand pretty much zero chance. This is really in contradiction to their stated goals when they made that change -- they wanted to eventually get the single-ticket odds back up to around 20-25%.
Interesting!
It is likely that there would be lottery for qualifying races soon.
Also,
Lets say a runner had apply for three years and still waiting. Comes 4th year. if there are 3 races within 100 miles of runner's home. He might not get into any of these 3 races. Then it would be hard to find the motivation to go further to ran a qualify race.
Imminent Catastrophe
I agree hectortrojan, the list of qualifying races seems somewhat arbitrary and does not include some really legitimate 100's. I understand why they eliminated 50-milers and most 100k's but, suddenly, some legitimate 100 milers are not qualifiers just because they don't have 100 starters. So a Black Hills 100 finisher isn't qualified to run WS100? Really? And they could have grandfathered races for those of us who had already registered for and run races that were 2014 qualifiers, like Hardrock did. But, hey, "we're Western States, we can do whatever we want, because we're Western States. Did I mention that we're Western States?"
"Able to function despite imminent catastrophe"
"To obtain the air that angels breathe you must come to Tahoe"--Mark Twain
"The most common question from potential entrants is 'I do not know if I can do this' to which I usually answer, 'that's the whole point'.--Paul Charteris, Tarawera Ultramarathon RD.
√ Javelina Jundred Jalloween 2015
Cruel Jewel 50 mile May 2016
Western States 100 June 2016