Absolutely correct. In this case "empire" is a satirical metaphor for quantity absolutely separate from "race dominance". Last year, in the lower cats, they went 1-2-3-me-5-6-7--I was 4th after being on the front for the last 1k. This year, ~1/3-1/2 the field was in the exact same kit. However...notice the podium in the 4s (Psi's guy won).