Kim Jane to celebrate 150 starts at Sandown

The Assassin notches up 150 V8 Ute Hits

V8 Ute front runner Kim Jane is set to celebrate his 150th race start in the V8 Ute Series at Sandown Raceway next weekend.

After a long career in NASCAR, Kim "The Assassin" Jane moved into the V8 Ute Racing Series in 2003 and has been a regular race winner in the Bob Jane T Marts Commodore finishing runner up to Layton Crambrook in last years Championship.

Janes 150th race will be Race 3/Round 5 of the 2009 Yokohama V8 Ute Series – protected by Armor All and it's a race that the veteran is looking forward to.

"It's coming up to my eighth year in the Series and it will be great to experience such a memorabile race in my home state."

"I had my first ever race at Sandown in an EH Holden when I was just 17, so it will be nice to celebrate my 150th Race there," said Jane.

Jane has raced in Production Cars, V8 Supercars, the Bathurst 12 Hour, American NASCAR Events and the Australian NASCAR Series, which he won from 1996 – 2000.

He also raced NASCAR in Japan, finishing 8th and the first Australian home, and has continued the Jane family heritage of motor racing involvement pioneered by his Uncle Bob and father Bill's involvement in the sport from the late 50's.

Bob Jane went on to win multiple Australian Touring Car Championships and Bathurst endurance races becoming a household name with the establishment of his Tyre Mart franchises nationally, largely built on the success of his on track activities.

Nephew Kim took a few years off from 2000 – 2003 and feeling the urge to race again thought the V8 Utes would be a great category to get involved in.

With a third place in the Series in 2007 and runner-up in 2008 there's nothing stopping this veteran.

"I just love racing the Utes, when I saw the opportunity I took it and have been involved ever since. We have built up a great team over the years and have really turned some results in the past two," said Jane.

In all the years Jane has been involved in the Utes he has only ever missed two rounds with his Trading Post and Bob Jane T-Marts team.

Jane's year hasn't been what he'd expected but with a current top ten ranking of 8th up his sleeve he is looking to turn it around.

"It hasn't been the best year for us but hopefully this piece of inspiration will be enough to keep me on the track for the entire race. I'm not too worried at the moment as it's the nature of the sport, anything can happen I just need to stay consistent and keep finishing races," explained Jane.

Jane will celebrate his race with 31 other drivers at Sandown Raceway, Friday 31st July – Sunday, 2nd August.

To catch all the action from Round 4 at Townsville 400 tune into Network Seven, Saturday, 25th July at 1:30pm (EST).

-credit: utes