[Fot] 2023 Kastner Cup Update

Thu Jun 29 15:54:50 MDT 2023

Hey all,

I don’t know how many of you have had a chance to run on the new asphalt at Road America yet.  I had four days (including dry and rain races) at the June Sprints this last weekend in my Spec Racer Ford so can give a quick report for those interested.  There were SEVENTY-SIX friggin’ Spec Racer Fords on track together at the start of the weekend, so hopefully you’ll get more clear track than I had.

The new surface is really smooth, as advertised.  It’s pretty grippy on line, with the rubber laid down during the first part of this season.  It’s a bit less grippy off line, but I don’t think it’s “slick” as some others have reported – its fine, just not as grippy as on the line.  In the rain, you want to remain on the dry line for now.  That will change as the dry line get polished smooth over time, but for right now, the rain line seems to be the same as the dry line.  Overall, if you stay on line, your times should drop from your prior best.

Don’t go very wide at the exit of 1.  There’s a wide set of rumble strips driver’s left and there is a pretty good bump at the end of those rumble strips at the transition from the concrete rumbles.  It wasn’t horrible in the Spec Racer Ford, which is pretty used to running over stuff, but I learned to stay away from it.  You don’t really need to go there anyway, in my view.

There have historically been a number of useful lines through the Carousel (9 and 10), but right now most of the rubber is down on the inside curbing.  There were a lot of people spinning and/or heading into the kitty litter if they tried to carry speed through the center or outside parts of the track.  All the traffic during the June Sprints may have changed that now.  I don’t know – I was too chicken to try an outside pass off line through the Carousel.  But I did personally witness at least one person spin when venturing off the inside line there.

I found that I was having to pick new brake markers and turn-in markers at some corners – we’re now missing the asphalt patches, cracks, and transitions that had accumulated over the years and marked some of those spots.  All of the old red and yellow curbing is still in place, so where people mark their turn-in and apex points by color blocks on the curbing (like at 5 or the Kink), you’re all set.

There are some clear improvements, like the bumpy transition over the top of the hill on the entry to 6, for example.  The transition there used to be abrupt and you’d clear the top of the hill, wait for the car to settle back down on its tires, and then turn in.  Now the transition to the top of the hill level is less abrupt, so I had to find a new turn-in marker.  Well, never REALLY found one I was comfortable with, but you know what I mean.

Mostly, don’t repeat the end of the Spec Racer Ford race this last Saturday:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzFlF6cI_bE

Scott (B.)

From: Fot <fot-bounces at autox.team.net> On Behalf Of Brian Garcia via Fot
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2023 2:47 PM
To: fot <fot at autox.team.net>
Subject: [Fot] 2023 Kastner Cup Update

Good afternoon, Amici.

It has been an absolutely crazy month and I apologize for the delay getting out this much over due update on the Kastner Cup.  First and foremost – thank you thank you thank you for everyone that has registered.  We are currently at 40 entries and are expecting a handful more – this will be a fantastic turnout and Road America is very happy about the support you all have shown for the event.  If you are planning on coming but haven’t registered yet please be aware that online registration closes next Monday 7/3 at 10 am Central.  Online registration can be found here: https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/weathertech-international-challenge-july-13th-16th-road-america-327737

If you have any questions at all, PLEASE do not hesitate to contact me.

I will be sending more detailed information out next week for everyone, but there are a few things that I wanted to put out there now:

  *   Paddock Parking – Road America usually does assigned parking for this event.  At our request, they have allocated us a designated plot of land and are allowing us to organize it as we see fit.  We will be assisting everyone with where they need to be once they get onsite.  With that in mind, most of you that have registered have received an email from me asking questions about multiple thing including when you plan on arriving and if there is someone you would like to be near.  Even if you don’t fill out the driver bio, these 2 pieces of information would be very helpful in helping us plan.  If you haven’t received this email from me yet you will shortly.

  *   Triumph Street Car Parking – if you are driving your non-racing Triumph to the event, Road America has graciously given us additional space inside the track paddock for these cars to be parked and displayed!  The document I send next week will have specifics on how you will check in but please spread the word that anyone driving their classic Triumph car to the event will be able to park in the competition paddock near the race cars!  Note that due to the size of this event paddock parking is by permit only and restricted so this is a big get for the Triumph community!

  *   Competition Schedule – on the event Website for the WeatherTech International Challenge there is a link to a Provisional schedule.  They are still moving things around so run group times throughout the weekend will still move a little but the Kastner Cup will be at 11:30 am on Sunday July 16th.  Next week I will be sending out a condensed version of the schedule with only the times/events pertinent to FOT included to make it easier to digest.

  *   British Sportscar Hall of Fame Induction – the British Sportscar Hall of Fame induction ceremony is being held as part of the Welcome Reception at the track on Thursday evening.  Please make time to come to support this event as our very own Mark Bradakis will be among the honorees along with a posthumous induction for Triumph hotshoe Brian Fuerstenau.  The ceremony will begin at 6 pm on Thursday 7/13 at the Road America Center.

  *   Special Guests – we have several honored guest that will be joining us at the Kastner Cup.  Triumph Factory Driver Robert Johns and 250K Designer Peter Brock will be gracing our Paddock with their presence for this event.  We are very excited to welcome them both!

  *   Kastner Cup Posters – Mark Alexander posted previously about the availability of this year’s event poster.  We will have them for sale at the event, but you can also contact Mark directly if you are not attending but would still like to purchase one.  All of the profits from these posters to toward the Kastner Cup fund used to host this event and make it memorable for everyone in attendance.  Please add one of these to your collections.

  *   Kastner Cup T Shirts – we are handling T shirts a little differently this year.  To ease the burden of collecting payments, sorting, and distributing on the very small group putting this event on we have opened T Shirt sales online as a fundraiser.  T shirts can be purchased using the link below.  We will have a picture of the shirts along with a scannable code at the event so anyone not privy to this email can order one as well.  We currently have orders open to be taken until the week after the event to allow everyone to get theirs in.  They will ship directly to you.  Again, 100% of this goes toward the Kastner Cup fund so please order some for you and your crew!  Order yours here:  http://www.customink.com/fundraising/2023-kastner-cup-9528?utm_campaign=fr_organizer_email&utm_content=2023-kastner-cup-9528&utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.customink.com/fundraising/2023-kastner-cup-9528?utm_campaign=fr_organizer_email&utm_content=2023-kastner-cup-9528&utm_medium=social&utm_source=copy-link__;!!KLD-3XdobhZF!EROZVvuNbKVFBGWXK65m1L5giW7dvhqwmAxMZO7hdg_SVaX6Y7Y1esgmxWuOjNIRhTsEo35UTZ9okkiVLWZgVF4rlw$>

  *   Group Photo – we want to make this year’s group photo memorable and it has been difficult finding time and a place to make this happen with so many cars at this event (425 and counting) and so much on the calendar.  We have worked with Road America to secure some time on track at the end of the day on Saturday to stage what will hopefully be an epic Kastner Cup group photo that would make Kas proud.  This will take place at 5:30 on Saturday and we should be back in the paddock by 6:15.  I wanted to put that out there as you consider you evening plans and hope very much that each of you will take the time to participate in this.

  *   Fundraising – in addition to posters and T shirts, as we have shared previously we are accepting donations via the online site gofundme.  Many of you have donated and we are very grateful!  A few sent checks which is also greatly appreciated.  With the good problem on our hands of more racers than we estimated we want to make sure we can sill offer the same level of hospitality that we had envisioned.  If you haven’t donated and feel compelled to help your fellow Triumph racers donations can still be made at: https://gofund.me/913d6275 or through one of the race chairs.  Thanks to all!

I think that is it for today and be on the lookout for more details next week.  Thank you all for helping to make this group stand out at one of the largest amateur racing events in the country!

Best regards,

Brian Garcia – Co Chair 2023 Kastner Cup

847-452-2246

cudapilot at comcast.net<mailto:cudapilot at comcast.net>

Mark Alexander – Co Chair 2023 Kastner Cup

952-412-6683

markarthuralexander at gmail.com<mailto:markarthuralexander at gmail.com>

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