<<I've had similar problems in my past life as a small block chevy
tinkerer.>>

Being that you know Chevy's, a heat sheild works well to correct this
problem too.

<< The solution was to bridge the bat + on the solenoid to the start
terminal, and trigger both by another remotely mounted solenoid. I have
been thinking of doing the same with the vanaru and was wondering if
anyone else had found it necessary. The premise is that the tickle/start
wire from the ignition doesn't carry enough current to actuate the
solenoid when hot, maybe this is off.>>

Your right on the money with this cure Tim.
It's called a hot start relay syndrome in Vanagonland, and the fix works
well.