[Fot] KASTNER CUP CHALLENGE - WATKINS GLEN 2008

[chasgee at aol.com]

Greg,

Didn't see your post earlier regarding the VARA rules.? The VARA rules you are quoting are for what we call "group 1" cars, for competitors who wish to compete with nearly stock automobiles.? We have a few of those in the organization, but most prefer to set their cars up to the regular rule book.? Please look more closely at the rulebook and you will see what I mean.

I disagree with your overall comments regarding your ability to be competitive.? Kreger built his TR6 for a reason, and can run it where he is from (Seattle area).? My car is built to VARA rules because that is where I'm from.? Funny thing is, there is really nothing fancy about mine, just changes to make it more reliable so that I can increase my seat time.? 12.5:1 compression, 0.055 over bore,?steel rods, massaged stock crankshaft (not stroked - not allowed by our rules)? 30 year old camshaft design (Kastner A-10) and roller rockers.? I do have an aluminum flywheel (built by Lee Mueller) and upraded stock clutch.? All steel body except for trunk lid and hood, upraded springs and shocks, welded diff, and fancy transmission (rules state that you must use the stock case and have the same number of forward gears, so I took a page from the Sprites and built a dog box using Hewland pieces and the Spitfire case.? I think Taylor sells these now).? Obviously, I also run Webers, but Kas thinks it would perform better with twin SUs.? Maybe I'll try that sometime.? My sucess has been from the ability to keep it together and maximize handling.? But the biggest improvement by far is from seat time.? Everyone keeps coming up and asking what I've done to the car to make it so fast.? I keep saying that I've just finally learned to drive it.? 

Also Greg, I distinctly remember that you were extremely competitive at Miller and a real thorn in my side.? Please don't take that as a negative comment, because I really enjoyed racing and hanging out with you.? I think the reason that was the case is because you've focussed on driving the car rather than maximizing your straightaway performance.? I strongly believe that you would be very competitive at any VARA race with the car as prepped for Miller.? I also stronlgy encourage you to refrain from further prep because, honestly, I don't want the hassle of dealing with you with a locked diff and good brakes!

Chuck Gee
Blacksmith Racing


You wrote:


>> Again, no disrespect aimed at  
>> anyone, but when I went to Miller for the K.C. this year, I  
>> actually removed my drilled rotors [of dubious benefit] so there  
>> would be no question as to "The Spirit of Vintage". My set of dual  
>> Webers were and are on the shelf for  the same reason. I have a  
>> welder but won't use it to "improve" my diff for the same reason.
>> Most of the cars I raced with in Utah were from VARA who's rules  
>> read:
>> etc, etc
>> 





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