[Fot] A message to the FOT from the 2023 Kastner Cup Co-Chairs: Brian Garcia and Mark Alexander -Please feel free to repost and share

[Mark Alexander]

*The 2022 event at Pittsburgh International Raceway (PIR) marked the 20st
running of the Kastner Cup. As most of us are familiar, but for those new,
the race celebrated the 70th year of Triumph sports car in competition. The
Kastner Cup was named in recognition of the career accomplishment and
legacy of R.W. “Kas” Kastner who passed away on April 11, 2021 at the age
of 92. Kas Kastner was one of the most influential individuals responsible
for the racing success of Triumph sports cars from the late 1950’s through
1970 and beyond. To this day, his series of Competition Preparation Manuals
are a must read for competitors in Triumph sports cars. Later in his
career, Kastner directed the Nissan IMSA GTP team that won the
manufacturers’ championship three years in a row and the drivers’
championship four years in a row; a remarkable achievement.*

*As much is likely to be written in the coming weeks and months about the
2022 Kastner Cup it is worth mentioning the PIR race maintained the
familiar quality of all previous 19 Kastner Cups; a competitive family
reunion bringing in Triumphs and drivers from the United States, Canada,
and Germany.  A big thanks to Curt Johnston for carrying on the legacy over
the past 2 seasons for both the events at Portland International Raceway
and Pittsburgh International Raceway.  Curt has not only maintained the
legacy and spirit of the Kastner Cup but has also improved operational
processes along the way.*

*Speaking of last year’s Portland Kastner Cup… conversations yielded a
common theme  with many drivers expressing the idea of Road America as the
2023 location of choice.  Getting the Kastner Cup back to the centrally
located, storied, beautiful….and very fast venue of Road America made
complete sense.  2023 will mark a full 10 years since the Kastner Cup was
last held at Road America.   The event in 2013 resulted in an incredible
grid of 36 cars, consisting of four TR3s, thirteen TR4s, two TR4As, two
TR250s (including the famous Peter Brock and Kas Kastner created TR250K),
three TR6s, four Spitfires, four GT6s, a TR8, a Peyote MKII Special, a
Devin bodied TR4, and a TVR 2200S.  Solid evidence indicates we will have
an even greater turn-out in 2023 to include many of the usual and important
suspects from both coasts, across the US and Canada.  Moreover, we are
currently coordinating efforts for drivers and/or cars from the UK,
Germany, and Australia!*

*Lots of positive social media chatter already.  Great to see so many
excited to attend! *

*Of course, more information will follow, however, here are a few key
points in preparation for next year's **2023 Kastner Cup!*

*Dates: July 14-16, 2023*

*Location: Road America Elkhart Lake, WI
<https://www.roadamerica.com/?fbclid=IwAR3rdjeyd_HRNoyVcu-TO2pUti4dWeXZ7RXJH2B4XnRdX_RPXisgGB5l5XU>
*

*Event:  Weathertech International Challenge (WIC) with Brian Redman -Known
as one of the one of the largest Vintage Events in the country typically
drawing 350 to 400+ race registrations*

*Triumphs will be the featured Marque*

*2023 Kastner Cup Grand Marshall:  Joe Alexander*

*Road America is repaving all 4 miles of racing surface after this season*

*All cars will run in their respective classes for (3) qualifying sessions,
(1) Qualifying Race, (1) Feature Race*

*The Kastner cup will be on Sunday for all Triumphs and is in addition to
the above*

*Friday night concourse for race cars - drive your car from the track to
Elkhart, park, and enjoy 2 hours of 5000 spectators walking among the cars
and talking to the drivers.  *

*For those that have not driven, or spectated at Road America the combined
event of the  Weathertech International Challenge is life changing.*

*One last thing….*

*We are excited to announce Brian Garcia’s return as a Kastner Cup Co-Chair
for the 2023 event!  **Brian Garcia was the Event Chair for the 2017
Kastner Cup at Blackhawk Farms Raceway.  A self-proclaimed “Friend of a
Friend of Triumph”, Brian got involved with Triumphs crewing for Jason
Ostrowski’s Friendly Ghost Racing GT6 in 2011.  The following year, he
attended his first Kastner Cup at Road Atlanta and instantly liked the
camaraderie he found in the FOT paddock.  He earned his nomination to FOT
the following year at the Road America Kastner Cup after leading Christian
Marx and Peter Bulkowski on a scavenger hunt around Sheboygan County
looking for parts to fix Peter’s (now Christian’s) TR8 which ultimately led
to a colorful but happy ending.  Buy him a beer at the Cup next year and
he’ll gladly retell the story. *



*Brian actively campaigns a 1965 Cheetah Roadster and a 1967 Plymouth
Barracuda in Vintage Racing events and hopes to have both of them at Road
America next July to keep him busy in between Kastner Cup duties.  He
finally was able to solidify his place as a true FOT member when he drove
fellow FOT’er David Amys’ Spitfire at the VSCDA Blackhawk Classic last
month.*



*All the best and more to come:*



*Mark Alexander: 952.412.6683, markurthuralexander at gmail.com
<markurthuralexander at gmail.com>*

*Brian Garcia: 847.452.2246, *cudapilot at comcast.net

-- 


Mark Alexander
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