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</head><body><p>Afternoon all! We are less than four weeks away from the 15th Annual Kastner Cup at Blackhawk Farms. As of this morning we have 30 Triumphs that have registered. It's going to be a super competitive field and I suspect that we should end up north of 35 cars in the field. For those that haven't registered yet I wanted to let you know that VSCDA's early bird pricing ends next Monday 5/29 so the event entry will go up $50 after that date. The link to online entry is: <a href="http://www.cvent.com/events/2017-vscda-blackhawk-vintage-classic-xxv/event-summary-706dde3c6c304c0d9262e3e7bca7dd88.aspx">http://www.cvent.com/events/2017-vscda-blackhawk-vintage-classic-xxv/event-summary-706dde3c6c304c0d9262e3e7bca7dd88.aspx</a></p><p><br></p><p>The preliminary schedule is also out. There has been some confusion on this so I'll try to summarize as best as I can. </p><p><br></p><p>On Thursday registration and tech open at 4 p.m. As of this time I <span style="text-decoration: underline;">cannot</span> promise that it will open earlier or that anyone will be able to set up in the paddock before that. There is a private rental that day and for insurance purposes we can't be in the track area until they are done for the day. One item of note for those that have not been there before - Blackhawk's infield requires crossing the track to enter so ingress/egress is only possible between timed sessions on track. Keep that in mind over the course of the weekend. </p><p><br></p><p> On Friday, the Triumphs will run in their own group - designated Group F on the schedule. So all Triumphs will run two practice sessions together and then a Qualifying session together in the afternoon on Friday. That qualifying session will set the grid for the Kastner Cup the following day. Friday night in the FOT Hospitality tent there will be a wine and cheese gathering featuring the cars of Beady Eye Racing along with several important announcements. You won't want to miss it. </p><p><br></p><p>On Saturday morning, the Triumphs will be rolled into their normal production groups. All 4 cylinder Group 2 cars will likely roll into Race Group C. All 6 cylinder Group 8 cars will likely roll into Race Group D (I say likely because VSCDA is reserving the right to adjust this based on entry mix). On Saturday morning you will qualify with these groups. That Qualifying session will set you up for the Sprint races to follow later that morning and early afternoon. The Kastner Cup will begin just after 5 p.m. on Saturday with awards immediately following in the FOT hospitality tent.</p><p><br></p><p>On Sunday you will run with your race Group (C or D) for your feature race. The link to the preliminary schedule is: </p><p><br></p><p><a href="http://www.cvent.com/events/2017-vscda-blackhawk-vintage-classic-xxv/custom-17-706dde3c6c304c0d9262e3e7bca7dd88.aspx">http://www.cvent.com/events/2017-vscda-blackhawk-vintage-classic-xxv/custom-17-706dde3c6c304c0d9262e3e7bca7dd88.aspx</a></p><p><br></p><p> I know this is a lot of information but I will send truncated (only containing info pertinent to our groups) schedules as we get closer and VSCDA finalizes group assignments. Also, there will be handouts for FOT members at registration with all the info you'll need for the weekend. The FOT tent will also be a great resource throughout the weekend. The tent will include:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>FOT hospitality area</li><li>FOT service area for any racer in need of covered, lit, communal automotive triage (compressed air, tools, jacks, etc. available)</li><li>Track maps and spotters guides</li><li>Kastner Cup videos & in car video fresh from this event and archived from others. </li></ul><p><br></p><p>Things are really coming together for a great event. There are still some items/areas that I could use some help with. I will be meeting with the VSCDA race chair and track management this weekend and will follow up with some specific requests in the near future. Thanks to all that have registered and/or donated to the cause to date. You are helping to make this a memorable event. </p><p><br></p><p>More soon - thanks!</p><p><br></p><p>Brian Garcia</p><p>Friendly Ghost Racing</p><p>847.452.2246</p><p><a href="mailto:cudapilot@comcast.net">cudapilot@comcast.net</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p> </p></body></html>