Kastner Cup 2013.

Report by Shawn Frank

his years Kastner Cup promised to be vintage racing at its nest and it did not disappoint it was a splendid display of ne sportsmanship and racing with many icons on the grid and many more watching from the pits, paddock, and fences. The Kastner Cup is an annual race that started in 2003 in Ontario, Canada at Mosport International Raceway. It has been held at different tracks every year giving participants convenient access and variety no matter where they live in the US or abroad. It has taken in tracks like Watkins Glen, Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca, while this years Kastner Cup was held at Road America. Those unfamiliar with Road America should know that this is one of the nest road courses in the world. The track, set in the beautiful connes of Elkhart Lake Village in Wisconsin, has been described as four miles of black magic. There is deep racing heritage at this vacation destination, and this year has only added to that heritage. On the grid, it was all Triumphs or Triumph powered cars. There were four TR3s, thirteen TR4s, two TR4As, two TR250s (including the TR250K pictured above, a beauty designed by Peter Brock and Kas Kastner that started from the back in a gentleman-like gesture even though it qualied for the front row), three TR6s, four Spitres, four GT6s, a TR8, a Peyote MkII Special, a Devin bodied TR4 and a TVR 2200S. All of these cars were amazingly beautiful, and watching them go around the track it was easy to see why their owners love racing these superb vintage examples of form and function.

Some were faster than others of course, but the Kastner Cup is not won based on track performance alone. 50% of the decision on who receives this coveted trophy is track performance, but the rest is based 25% on car presentation and 25% on spirit towards vintage racing. The decision in its entirety is made by Kas Kastner himself. There cannot be a repeat winner two years in a row, and the previous years winner must relinquish the trophy for the next winner to receive. Although reluctant, these guys have a camaraderie that allows them to congratulate the next guy as they let go of the coveted trophy. As far as track performance goes, Peter Bulkowski in his 1977 TR8 won by 6.053 seconds over second place Sam Halkias 71 TR6, third was Tony Garmey piloting the ever famous 67 TR250K, fourth place went to Bill Babcocks 59 Peyote MkII Special, and fth to Ken

Knights 64 TR4. Snooks Dream Cars gave awards to each model of Triumph based on fastest lap. Those awards were as follows: Andrew Willmss 60 TR3A with a lap time of 2:59, Clark Lincolns 71 GT6s lap time of 2:53, Leo Oddis 68 TR250s lap of 2:50, Jerry Barkers 71 Spitres lap of 2:49, Ken Knights 64 TR4s lap of 2:48, Bill Babcocks 59 Peyote Specials lap of 2:44, Sam Halkias 71 TR6s lap of 2:40, and nally Peter Bulkowskis 77 TR8s lap of 2:39. After all of those awards were presented, it was time to award this years winner of the Kastner Cup. Kas announced that with great pleasure he was awarding it to Ken Knight in his 71 TR6 decked out in blue and silver. It was an exciting race with passes that seasoned pros would be proud of. Next year should prove to be just as good at Eagles Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas. Dont miss it!

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DECEMBER 2013/JANUARY 2014 Triumph World