[Jeff Lee]

FYI, here in the USA we call it "exhibition of speed" and it's a license revoking 8 point penalty, same as "street racing". Sometimes involves jail time and confiscating your vehicle. Permanently. Wouldn't matter if you had the only car on the road for miles. But maybe it's different in Canada? Next time the Royal Canadian Mounted Police drop by your shop ask them if it's OK. NHRA was formed to combat this type of activity. What your doing takes away from the credibility of the sport. We like to "drag race", you like to "street race". You're on the street and you're making acceleration trials. That's "street racing".
No, I entirely disagree with your statement "Simply, if acting responsibly, it's a SAFE environment to tune the car". Most of us did the same when we were 16 years old. But now we are adults. Or at least we're supposed to act like it.

To LNorton,
I would be upset if the lifters were a problem also. But I'm not convinced the problem is with the lifter. These ceramic inserts are basically glued on. I'm not sure if anybody has tested a set for long term durability. Just as stated by Fishlips, if the valves are net set correctly or become loose, it will pound on the valvetrain and you can loose the ceramic insert. The pictures seem to indicate that may be the case. Think about it, some of these stock racers adjust their valves at least every race, sometimes more. On my Stocker I found the ONLY way to keep the lash in control was to adjust all 16 every other run! One race with driving in the pits and racing might accumulate 10-15 minutes of run time? Here we have 2.5 hours on the street. That's the equivalent of 10+ races, timewise. I would have adjusted the valves 15-20 times in this period.
Long before Schubecks it has been known the stock eliminator cam and valvtrain are not suitable for street use. Profiles are just too harsh. My opinion is a rocker got loose and pounded the lifter to death.