Yup, probably just comes down to whether or not you want the extra noise. Gassersrule had a gear drive come apart awhile back on his sbc, went back to a chain. Back in the sprint car days we ran the Pete Jackson set up, but the engines got opened up and checked every week anyway....... I guess it depends on which you are trying to justify using as to that being the exception or the rule.
Personally, I hate the extra noise (I like to be able to hear what the rest of the engine sounds like). Horsepower wise, when compared to a quality double roller chain you would have to have the engine on a dyno to see any difference.
JMO, but I would still rather have any engine run like a race engine instead of just sound like one....... Maybe the geezer in me still likes to sneak up on people with a mild sounding engine exhaust note, then blow them away !!!!!!!
