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GERRY JARVIS Gerry started as a volunteer fire fighter working at Seafair. He says, "I got conned into doing the limited rescue. I had to find out why these guys wanted to go out there and be idiots and fly across the water. We originally bought the boat as four firemen from Bonney Lake Fire. We had a woman who was an outboard National Champion who was going to drive, and thats where we came up with the name Fire Fox for the boat. The old Fire Fox, the original was an old Carlson that I drove and qualified in. And than, I bought the Gangrene which was another 2.5 Litre Stock. We went from last place to third place in a matter of one weekend." Gerry has driven 2.5 Stock, 5 Litre, and the 2.5 Mod., and likes the little 2300 Ford and has lot of fun with it. Gerry has a 2.5 Mod, fuel injected 320 horse he said "I previously owned a National Championship boat which was Freddie's Club. I brought Harold back out from 5 years of retirement to drive for me." Gerry is know as Dr. Jarvis because he helps everybody in the 2.5 Stock. He knows his engines, his three best strengths are engines, engines, engines. Gerry says "I learned I was not really a good driver. When I have raced the last few years it has been to go out and drive to keep in tune with my drivers and the boat so I can know where to help them. This has been kinda my forte, playing with the boats. I do it all winter long, I repair boats and get them ready for the next year. I have had up to 3 or 4 boats at my house at one time." His wife Chris is part of the crew and her son Scott Stewart, is Gerry's backup working on the boats. Wayne Howard and Gerry also team up helping several of the guys with their boats. Wayne goes out and does the driving, bringing back information Gerry needs to know about the boats so they can make the proper changes. Boats are tested at American Lake Wednesdays 4:00 to 7:00, and Saturdays 10:00 to 1:00 with rescue personnel available. Some wonder if its crazy to race boats at the speeds achieved, but Gerry says "We are not going that fast with these boats. Racing is much safer now than 15 years ago when we were running with open boats. If you crashed, you could be thrown out of the boat or injured badly. Now, you might get banged around, have some bad bruises or minor injuries, but you survive. We really aren't going that fast." Driving in a boat called Mr. Lucky Gerry's son was going 124 m.p.h., but its concentration that makes a winner. Gerry usually is standing on the beach talking to his driver, making him aware of everybody who is around him, and his driving times. His long term goals is to get the National high points. How does someone get involved in hydroplane racing as a crew member, driver, rescue, or possibly another area? Gerry says "I have had a lot of kids through the years to help. Either their parents have said something to me, or they need to have the child have a little direction in life. I have taken a lot of kids and helped them, teaching them what team sports is all about. They learn a little responsibility, getting good grades, and most of them have all qualified as drivers, usually before they turned sixteen."
Racing with Gerry Jarvis
INSIDE LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENING WITH GERRY JARVIS
Racing with Gerry
Racing season highlights with Gerry and ...
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