AUS Utes: Series Pukekohe preview

Aussie V8 Ute Drivers Head to the Land of the Long White Cloud

Australian V8 Ute drivers Robert Jarvis and Chris Pither will compete in the first round of the ENZED V8 Ute Racing Series this weekend at Pukekohe, NZ.

Pither makes a return to his homeland defending his 2009/10 series title and is bringing with him a wealth of experience having spent time in the Aussie Series this year.

"It's been great to be back in the Aussie Series and I think the extra time in the Ute competing against such a big and experienced field will be a great boost, " he said.

"It's great to be home racing though and I'm looking forward to a fun weekend."

"Captain" Rob Jarvis, has leased a Falcon for the ENZED V8 Ute Series and will be garaged with Pither whose crew will be looking after the car.

Jarvis's son Alan will compete in the Suzuki Swift Series at the same event in his own car, which will be run by Jarvis's regular Aussie crew chief Greg Cox.

The two supported each other at the latest V8 Supercar Round at the Armor All Gold Coast 600, Alan in a MINI and Jarvis in his iseek backed Ford Falcon V8 Ute.

The "Captain" celebrated his 200th race at the event (one of only three V8 Ute drivers to have achieved the feat; along with Charlie Kovacs and Jack Elsegood).

Jarvis is excited by the opportunity and plans to compete in the next three rounds with the possibility of extending to finish the season.

"I decided to come over because Alan was driving and I thought I may as well participate as well," he said. "I'm not in my usual Ute so I'll see how I go after the two practice sessions but I'm hoping to pull out a top ten finish."

The man from Billinudgel NSW has competed in New Zealand twice before; once in 2006 and again earlier this year in the 2010 Trans Tasman Test Match Series where he placed fourth for the Round.

Pither and Jarvis will hit the track this Friday for two practice sessions, with Qualifying and Race 1 on Saturday followed by Race 2 and 3 on Sunday.

The next time the drivers will compete in Australia will be at the final round of the 2010 Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series – protected by Armor All at the Sydney Telstra 500, 3 – 5 December.

-source: aus v8 utes