[ERA Chas]

You would need to race-abuse your engine to [i]need [i] a gear drive and at that you'd check it every season. Danny B makes an excellent belt-drive system with none of the hardships. Makes cam adjustments a snap. But how often you plan that?
Double roller chains serve street/strip cars long and well before needing attention.
Also your tune-up must be perfect and remain so because you sneeze it once, you broke it.