With stopwatch in hand, as he gazed upon the action on the track, former Standard-Triumph competition boss R.W. (Kas) Kastner watched as almost 30 Triumphs vied for his namesake award June 7–9, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The Ninth Annual International Triumph Challenge was the feature race at the Historic Motor Sport Association’s Charity Challenge event marking the first time the group had battled at the venerable track. The event featured an unprecedented eight sessions for more track time than some drivers receive all season.
Cris Vandagriff welcomed racers from across the country as they contested the most closely fought Kastner Cup race ever held, with heated passing between Triumphs and Triumph-powered Morgans and Devins throughout the race. Leading the action was the one of a kind TR250K owned by Bill Hart and driven by Tony Garmey. The car was the brainchild of Kastner and Cobra designer Pete Brock, and displayed futuristic aerodynamic bodywork on Triumph’s modest ladder chassis. Following close behind were a Morgan and a trio of Triumphs including a Herald driven by former SCCA National Champion Jerry Barker.
Adding further emphasis to the extent of Triumph’s previous racing glories, seven previous SCCA National Champions were in attendance, as well as Robert Johns who pioneered Triumph’s international success at Le Mans in 1957.
When the checkered flag fell to mark the end of the race, Kastner awarded his coveted Cup to Barker for punching far above his weight class to finish 4th overall ahead of several much faster cars. The next edition of the Cup will be held next year at Road Atlanta in conjunction with The Mitty and will feature an emphasis on the Triumphs of Group 44.
