Connor
Normally this happens when a new member joins between 2 tiers finishing Abu Dhabi.
Example:
There is always a little bit of time between the Elite Race and the Pro Race finishing. If somebody joins Elite in that little bit of time, it can mean that there is 17 in that tier.
It can also happen when somebody joins during the Abu Dhabi race, but doesn't compete.
Yes, this happens also at me. I joined before Abu Dhabi and I did not went down to Pro. I was not allowed to start at Abu Dhabi, because uf 24h-rule.