R. W. Kastner

1928 - 2021

R. W. 'Kas' Kastner
August 30, 1928 - April 11, 2021
Las Vegas
Kas Kastner, Championship Race Car Driver and Race Team Manager dies at 92Robert William Kastner, known as Kas Kastner or R. W. Kastner, died from bladder cancer at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sunday, April 11, 2021. He recently moved from Southern California to be near his daughter Toni, who was with him. Kas was born in Batavia, New York, in 1928. He was a post-WWII Army veteran and a relief operator on the Union Pacific Railroad before moving to Southern California in 1956. Kas excelled as a championship race car driver, race team manager and sailor.He authored and illustrated racing preparation manuals for Triumph sports cars that are actively sought by enthusiasts. Kas was Director of Motor Sports for both the Standard-Triumph Motor Company and Nissan Motor Sports, and has been called one of the most influential Americans in the history of Triumph sports cars. From his position as Competition Director for Standard-Triumph in the United States, Kas was a guiding influence and prime instigator for the company's success, essentially writing the book on how to successfully race cars on a budget and setting the standard for others in the industry to follow.The enthusiasm of Triumph owners and drivers led Kas to establish "The Kastner Cup," an annual vintage Triumph sports car race held at various racetracks around the country. Kas received the Harry Webster Award for his contributions to the Standard-Triumph movement in 2016 and he was inducted into the British Sports Car Hall of Fame in 2017. Kas coined the maxim, "Never be beaten by equipment." More details about his accomplishments are available at kaskastner.com.Kas was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley Jane Kastner, his daughter Jane Karla Kastner, and his second wife Peggy DeMerritt. No services will be held.