David Gott Named 2025 Kastner Cup Champion
via The Kastner Cup
The 23rd Annual Kastner Cup 2025 presented by VRG Vintage Racer Group and the Friends of Triumph happened at Lime Rock Park’s Historic Festival 43 Aug. 29-Sept. 1.
The Kastner Cup is awarded differently than most any motorsports trophy in existence. The recipient is not always the top performer. The decision is based on 25% presentation of the car, 25% enthusiasm in vintage racing and 50% weighed on the performance of the car and driver on track.
The formula was laid out by R.W. (Kas) Kastner himself, long ago when the Friends of Triumph concocted an idea to create a race to pay tribute to the man himself and to recognize the accomplishments that Kas made in and for motorsports and Triumph competition. He always said that his choice was the driver that exceeded the limitations of their equipment.
David Gott was named this year’s Kastner Cup Champion, driving the No. 80 1962 TR4 with a total time of 21:15.501-seconds and best lap time of 1:04.232-seconds.
A well-deserved awarding. The smooth, fast lines, a fine-tuned car that sang a symphony of orchestrated chaos as it blazed by and a driver that showed skills needed to rise to the very top. He truly exceeded the limitations of that four-cylinder as he passed a V8, out drove a more experienced driver or 30, and took the shining trophy with generational support, a peaceful confidence and a good amount of perfectly calibrated skill.
Gott commented after the race: “First of all, what an honor to be awarded the Kastner Cup! Imagining my name next to my Triumph heroes and friends (and sometimes both!) is super special! I’m truly humbled and honored at the same time. If Henry was going to make me speak, I would have said, ‘It’s not my fault. I was in a competition TR2 months before I was born and learned to be a flashlight holder for Dad before I could talk very well!’ I often tell people that ask about racing a Triumph, ‘It’s half working on them (for enjoyment of course) and half racing them that is fun, and the other half is the community!’ I’ve learned a lot about community racing Triumphs over the last several years, and that has become the most important element in racing!”
Congratulations to David Gott, the 2025 Kastner Cup Champion!
In car video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn_bEmQrIQA
Dropbox link to photos: