Interesting thread.
Glad I ran across it, as some Formula Fusion races have a option for 10 laps, and the tracks can be 3 times the length of the longest Wipeout track
But in all honesty, I would have to agree.
Why prolong the torture ?

KANAR & Eric7 used to have GREEN AVALON races at Phantom speed of 7 to 10 laps......I mean, fine if everybody does perfect laps all the time, but usually the rate of attrition was high, and a lot failed to get to 10 laps at that speed before their shield died.
So needless to say, it wasn't that popular .