Back in 4.85, Admins used to make seperate Server for Events which you could instant restart and as you said having a fully equipped ship.
Why aren't these beeing done anymore? :| It was realy cool and many people logged from each side. Until Event over, once event was over the server would've been closed.
There was a special way to get into the Event Server too, like you got the special command on the Thread which you then had to add into your Settings of Freelancer at the end, so the server would actually pop up on your List.
Other then that, how about, 1 week preval the Event Day, people that want to join pay the Admins cash for a fully equipped ship purposefully for that Event and the Admin will hand over those fully equipped ships at the event day? Could also be an option, this way, the characters wouldn't have to be deleted.
Well other than my first proposal, how about a restart "Unlocked" command specificly at that time and day, but the ships would cost 10 mil more than usual? After event is done, the command would be "locked".
Could actually work, considering that you either spend 15 - 20 mil more to directly jump into Battle or you actually take your time in beforehand and go buy the Ship and equipment yourself.