John,
I'm pretty sure there are a few guys racing TR's up your way. Did anyone from
the FOT list contact you? As for the lever shocks, there are a few companies
like Apple Hydraulics and others that will sell you uprated shocks. That's
what most of us use.
Bob Kramer
rkramer3@austin.rr.com
----- Original Message -----
From: John Csaftis
To: Bob Kramer
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 6:15 PM
Subject: Re: VINTAGE RACING
Hi Bob,
Thanks for answering back. I'm sorry, but I don't have any pictures of the
ARRC at Riverside. If I did, I would certainly send them to you. In fact, the
last time I was at Riverside, I broke my shoulder at the Great Bear G.P., a
District 37 motorcycle race that paid points for both desert and motocross. I
was leading my class until a squid took me out, and I got hit hard getting
back up. Course was part pavement, mostly off-road. Happy memories, but not as
nice as watching Kastner prepped TR's driven by Group 44's Bob Tullius
drifting out of turns 7 and 7A breathing down the neck of C production Elans,
and leaving all his D production competitors a half lap back. Anyway, I have
lived in So. Oregon for the last 29 years, and it's not exactly a hotbed of
British cars or vintage racing. Thanks again for the advice. I will
definately, take it. I just don't know what to do with the old style rear
lever shocks. I don't want to convert to tube style as that would make it very
non-original. Anyway, good luck racing the 4A. I hope you do well.
John
----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Kramer
To: John Csaftis
Cc: fot@autox.team.net
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 2:36 PM
Subject: Re: VINTAGE RACING
John,
Sounds like a wonderful reunion! If you are in Southern California, there
are a lot of guys that you can draw on for information on upgrading your TR4.
I'll dopy this email to the Friends
Of Triumph email list and maybe a couple of the Cal. guys can get in touch
with you. The Silverstones are highly desired but most people don't trust them
for any serious driving. You can get new Panasports that look similar and are
safe. Most people upgrade to poly or nylon bushings all around, stiffer
springs and better shocks. Custom anti roll bars are next. Racers set the
front end up with a bit of negative camber by modifying the upper a-arms. I
prefer the solid axle cars to IRS, but I'll soon be running the 4A IRS on the
track and sorting it out. Best of luck with the car!
By the way, did you take race pictures in the old days? My car was at
Riverside for the ARRC in 1968 and I'm looking for pictures. I'm sure any
Triumph pictures would be appreciated if shared. See the FOT website.
www.fot-racing.com
Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: John Csaftis
To: rgk@flash.net
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 3:32 PM
Subject: VINTAGE RACING
DEAR SIR,
I ENJOYED YOUR WEB PAGE ON YOUR VINTAGE TR-4A RACER. I REMEMBER QUITE
WELL WHEN I BOUGHT MY 1965 TR-4 BRAND NEW, I WOULD GO TO SCCA RACES IN SO.
CAL. AND WATCH GUYS LIKE DITTEMORE, PENDLETON, AND TULLIUS CLEAN HOUSE WITH
THEIR TR'S. I RECENTLY REPURCHASED MY LITTLE GREEN TR AFTER BEING APART FROM
IT FOR 33 YEARS. I WOULD LIKE TO SET IT UP FOR AUTOCROSS AND STILL HAVE IT
VERY STREETABLE. THE VINTAGE AMERICAN "SILVERSTONE" 8 SPOKES I BOUGHT NEW ARE
STILL ON IT. DO YOU THINK REAL MAGS COULD BE SAFE AFTER 37 YEARS OF USE? DO
YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR SUSPENSION MODS OTHER THAN A BIGGER SWAY BAR? IT
HAS KONI'S ON THE FRONT AND STOCK DAMPERS ON THE REAR. I WISH IT WERE I.R.S.,
BUT IT IS'NT.
IN FACT, ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR INCREASING THE ENJOYMENT OF THIS CAR
WITHOUT FULL COMPETITION SET UP LIKE YOURS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. (THAT
IS IF YOU HAVE TIME OF COURSE). IF NOT I UNDERSTAND. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SINCERELY,
JOHN
csaftis@hotmail.com
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