I realy don't see what the fuss is!
If you attempt to cut/file the lugs off and crack the plastic the bird will not be eligable to race, is it worth taking the chance?
you are often hearing of people having birds of whatever breed then calling them there own family, crossed or not, or selling them as the latest fad! I supose its no different to the Belgiums do!
I remember taking my parent to a loft near Stoke on Trent for some Kirks, they were outstanding, didn't matter what colour they were they were all like peas in a pod.
Why do people want to change succesful family's of birds?
keep old flights during the moult, if a flight then gets broken, cut it 3/4 down the remainng flight cut the spare flight to the right length.
use a piece of cocktail stick and super glue into both pieces of flight, it'll be as good as new!