Audax has changed and will continue to change. So the answer to the question is "No". Because Audax will not be as we 'knew' it.
Like it is no longer like it was pre-GPS. Or pre internet.
Yeah, I'll go along with that.
(I was around for the GPS transition, and I have my Dad to refer to for 1980s tales!)
Re: Clover Leaf routes
I suspect these normally come about due to logistics reasons. Having ridden a few of them, and seen behind the scenes at LEL, it's pretty clear which is simpler!
And I'd query whether DNF rates are everything? I quite like the security blanket thing; and although I generally finish the long rides (somehow), I don't regard quitting as the end of the world. It's not the Olympics and - to quote Mr Hall - we're not f***ing curing cancer.