I understand NASCAR - a venue loaded with very knowledgeable engine builders - do not run timing gears.
They run a roller chain.

On one of the other sites I frequent, one of the guys quoted a speed equipment manufacturer who made gear drives among other things.
When asked why he still made them since the great majority of racers had given up on them, he answered, "Because the kids buy them."

Nothing quite like a stock cam, low comp engine with a noisy timing gear.
Not fooling anyone there.

Hot rodding is about doing and not about posing....