[Fot] Kastner Cup, continued!

[David Gott]

Amici,
I was thinking about the Piston Cup awarded  during the Lime Rock Historic Festival this year, given to the  behind the scenes mechanic who makes it all happen.   This has a bit of a parallel with the Kastner Cup, since 25% of the award is based on car prep as Kas put in the rules.   I would be remiss if I didn’t talk about how that part applies this year and how meaningful it is.
I had mentioned for a brief moment about holding flashlights for Dad when I was a kid, as a hint and a nod, but there’s a lot more to that story.   I could go on for days about what I’ve learned and applied from all the coaching and teaching I’ve received throughout the years.  But I’ll paint a couple of quick pictures instead.    Dad taught a lot about innovation and rule following at a young age.  We are talking Pinewood Derby.   I would run tried and true in the normal kids class, and the parents would have an”exhibition” class - which Dad would win. Followed by a rule change for next year.  Meticulous preparation was kind of the point… not the rule change; I guess not everybody has a lathe.)
On to Triumphs, which has huge depth for us, so it’s hard to give the big picture in few words.   I live an hour away from Dad and I keep my car at his place… first, thanks even for that!!   I’ve said for a while that I’m the only knucklehead loving an hour from a car that takes this much work!    We’ve worked on Triunphs together all my life, and it’s a connection for us to say the least.  When we first got the green number 80, we have been able to spend a TON more time together!   It’s been quite an effort over the years getting the green car solid and reliable.  Bill Throop’s(the original owner) daughte Gretchenr, had reached out after I blew it up one time a few years ago and said,” we were always swearing at that car!”   The swearing has decreased a huge amount over the last few years, and turned the other way into affection, and I think the car likes it.   You can imagine all of the help I receive from Dad behind the scenes, with him testing new ideas on his car, and then we apply to the Green car, occasionally with me adding come color to a great idea.  Needless to say about all of the phone calls or texts about “I forgot to do XYZ” when I was there, and Dad jumps to action since I’m not right around the corner.   
I was telling Henry at the beginning of the cup weekend, that something bad typically happens to me during the Lastner Cuo race itself.  I’ve had gremlins pop up and mess with the carbs, which is typically ignition as we all know.  Or Ignition problems that’s really carb problems, or worse..   At Road America, I had a brain problem and could not tell my foot to press the brake pedal in turn 6 after I used up all my gray cells.   Well, this year it came together for me.   The car has been absolutely rock solid all year long, running a few extra events more than usual.  So Rock solid, the only issue was from a rock to the radiator at Thompson!   I cannot tell you what a Herculean feat that has been especially with the Green #80 and its long history of being a really fast grenade!  And so, I really have a huge amount of thanks and appreciation to Phil Gott, my Dad, for getting us to the top, and helping us win the Kastner Cup as a team!
Sincerely,Dave Gott


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