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AUS Utes: Robert "Captain" Jarvis enters his 200th races

The "Captain" flies in for his 200th V8 Ute Race During a Helicopter ride back in 2001, Robert Jarvis who was later to be nicknamed "Captain" was talking to V8 Ute commentator Wade Aunger and after a 1 hour flight was convinced that he wanted to ...

The "Captain" flies in for his 200th V8 Ute Race

During a Helicopter ride back in 2001, Robert Jarvis who was later to be nicknamed "Captain" was talking to V8 Ute commentator Wade Aunger and after a 1 hour flight was convinced that he wanted to race in the Brute series he'd been hearing so much about. Only hours later he purchased a franchise in the Australian V8 Ute Racing Series and nine years later "Captain" is still racing the Utes and is about to reach his 200th Race at Round 7 of the 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series - protected by Armor All, next weekend (22 - 24 October) at the Armor All Gold Coast 600.

Jarvis will be one of only three drivers to accomplish this feat, (Charlie Kovacs in 2008 and Jack Elsegood at Bathurst 2010) and will celebrate his 200th Ute appearance in Race 1.

"It's just great to be there that long and still be doing it. I never thought I'd be here that long and make 200 races. I was only meant to be here for a short time to get it out of my system but I still haven't got it out of my system," he said with a grin.

Over the years, Jarvis has raced in a two car team with country singer Adam Brand who he formed a longstanding friendship with (attending his wedding earlier in the year). He has also had the chance to race against his son Allan in 2008 at Queensland Raceway and the two will be garaged together next weekend at the Armor All Gold Coast 600 when Allan competes in the MINI Challenge Series.

"It was good to have him there and also good to beat him ‘cause he thought he'd blow me off the track," said Jarvis.

He also raced in a two car team with hot shot George Miedecke, until Miedecke's move to late model stock cars in the USA this year.

Jarvis owned and built Brunswick Valley Coaches from the ground up and after 30 years decided to hang up the keys and retire earlier this year. He now spends leisure time on his acreage near Mullumbimby, flying his Bell Jet Ranger Helicopter, travelling and supporting son Allan in his sprint car career.

His best V8 Ute career result was 5th outright in the V8 Ute Trans Tasman Challenge at the Hamilton 400 earlier this year, putting in a sterling performance against the Kiwis and matching it with his Aussie team mates as well.

Jarvis accomplished another milestone earlier in the year when he and wife Julie (who travels to every round with him) climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and he compares it with his 200th achievement.

"That was probably my ultimate achievement - to climb Kilimanjaro. To make 200 races and also to reach the top of Kilimanjaro are two things I never thought I'd accomplish in this life time so it's a good feeling."

Jarvis will hit the Track for practice and Qualifying on Friday, 22nd October and will be racing in the two car ‘iseek" team with Brisbane's Jason Gomersall.

His 200th Race will be televised live on Network Seven on Saturday, 23rd October at 11am. Race 2 will also be televised live on Network Seven at 11am on Sunday, 23rd October.

-source: aus v8 utes

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