I had an idea earlier today and it goes with a forum post on speed mapping from a long time back. I doubt it is a new idea.
I was thinking of a set features between client and server that would serve for speed mapping competitions.
The clients would have an editing lock, and the servers would be able to switch this editing lock on or off.
The master ( Player ) would be able to tell the server when to remove the lock, how long to keep it off and then in turn, when to turn it on. The server would simply allow the players to edit for X amount of time, then disallow them the ability to edit. With a timer this could be set up for 1 hour speed mapping competitions.
A foreseeable problem is having multiple people on a single server resulting in lag and viewing of each others' work. In such a case multiple slave servers could be set up with a linking to a master server, this master server sending the start and stop signals to the slave servers, and from there the slave servers allowing or disallowing editing for their single client. ( spectators would be permitted )
After the allotted time is up, maps could be uploaded to an external source for comparing and voting.
^^ Expanding: A separate sendmap command, mayhap /uploadmap, would send the maps files of each competitor to the specialized master server. From there they could be taken, viewed, and rated.
Personally, I've always liked the idea of speed mapping competitions but unless everybody is in the same room it can be difficult to coordinate.
Just my thoughts, feedback is welcome.
Edit: I looked at the post again - This one - and there's talk of teams. Another feature allowing a specific number of clients per slave server could allow this, and allowing one person to be master of each slave server.
More thoughts: Lots of new servers are IRC linked, this can allow for cross-server chat, and team chat could be used to talk between yourself and your partner specifically. ( not spectators )