We are very saddened to report the death of a TR hero, Kas Kastner - who passed away Sunday 11 April 2021 aged 92.

Kas Kastner developed a reputation for getting more power out of the TR engine than anyone else, the factory included and his famous "Black Book" has been a bible for engine tuners for many years. When the Triumph factory questioned Kastner's claimed power outputs, he decided to prove it by shipping an engine to Coventry, where it developed 152 BHP on the Triumph's own test bed. His status as tuning legend was secured!

Triumph entered into a bidding-war with Carroll Shelby to keep Kas Kastner on board, following an argument over pay and Kas Kastner also employed Bob Tullius as his key driver in he early years of the TR team.

He won in class at Sebring with a team of TR4s in 1963 and again in 1966 with a team of TR4As which took 1st, 2nd and 3rd place positions. Those victories were set alongside countless successes racing TRs in the SCCA Championship.

Kastner flew over to Triumph in Coventry to pitch a project for a new aerodynamic car to run at Sebring. Reportedly all Kastner took with him was his reputation, a promise of a magazine cover page, and a single rough drawing done by Pete Brock, designer of the Shelby Daytona coupe. But that meeting gave rise to the 250K.

Kas contributed to TR Action Magazine a number of times over the years and was very supportive of the editorial team whom he was in touch with on a regular basis, sharing stories and giving insights. He will be sadly missed by everyone at the TR Register.

Rest in peace Kas Kastner and remember; “never be beaten by equipment” .

A full tribute will appear in TR Action 329, due out in May.