I fail to understand the attitude from some above who seem to look down on the IMCR.
Why?
IMO it is the next logical step after the PPL to expand the pilots skill level, for the not so current it will get them out of trouble and for those who practice it can be used to lower the minimums that they work to.
To be truthfull the IMCR is one of the hardest things that I have done in aviation........... the IR was just a lot of practice to get the standard of flying up to IR test standard.
We do need an IR lite but it must be "lite" on the airline stuff (why do they require you to do a fuel flight plan for a VC10 when you are going to fly a PA-34?) What it must not be is "lite" on flying skills!