Hollywood stuntwoman Kathy Jarvis takes on Modified racing at I-96 Speedway

Hollywood stuntwoman Kathy Jarvis takes on Modified racing at I-96 Speedway

Steve Kaminski
The Grand Rapids Press

LAKE ODESSA -- Kathy Jarvis once jumped off an 80-foot cliff into 8 feet of water, but strangely, that is not the craziest thing the veteran Hollywood stuntwoman will ever do.

Just wait and see what she has planned for tonight.

Jarvis, a native of Park City, Utah, came to Michigan for the first time this year. She is serving as the stunt coordinator for the movie "LOL: Laughing Out Loud," which will be released in 2011 and stars Demi Moore and Miley Cyrus.

I-96 Speedway officials invited her for a night at the races this summer, and she had such a great time, she wanted to return. But being a fan isn't enough for Jarvis.

Look for her to race a Modified when the track hosts the Gold Cup Nationals tonight, marking her stock car debut.

Jarvis said this probably will top her crazy meter -- and that's saying something. It even beats the time she stood in for Anne Heche during the filming of the 1998 flick "Six Days Seven Nights," when she jumped off a cliff in Hawaii.

"At least when I'm on a cliff, it's just me and the cliff," Jarvis said. "(Tonight) it's me and 22 testosterone-driven guys out there. I will let you know the answer at the end of Saturday night.

"I would say this is pretty crazy, considering I have never seen this sport until a couple of weeks ago and I'm jumping into the fastest class with veterans who have been racing for 35 years in this particular sport. I'm just hoping to get some laps in and bring it home in one piece."

Jarvis has participated in 80 films and has doubled for a number of prominent actresses, including Meg Ryan ("City of Angels"), Meryl Streep ("Dark Matter") and Jessica Lange ("Bonneville").

Her film credits include "Air Force One" and "The Big Lebowski." She pulled off motorcycle stunts in "The Italian Job" and "G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra."

It's not all glamour. She has broken her shoulder, blown out both of her knees and had her teeth knocked out. But injuries haven't derailed her career.

"I love working with the actress and creating the character that the director and the actress envision," Jarvis said. "I just like being part of it all. I just really, really enjoy it."

She loves racing, too.

Jarvis competed in the 1999 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 off-road truck race, then created Femmefatale Motorsports. She also has participated in road rallies.

I-96 owner Mike Mouch told Jarvis to come back that and he would set her up with a car after finding out about her racing background.

Jarvis originally was to race a Late Model, however, the engine seized up this week during testing and repairs could not be made in time for tonight's race.

Driver Bill Bray, who is third in Late Model points at I-96, will loan Jarvis a Modified. Bray also is serving as her coach.

"With her career, I think she will be willing to go out and put in on the edge (Saturday)," said Bray, of Spring Lake. "But you have to have a lot of trust in your car and confidence in your equipment.

"This is going to be tough for her. Seat time is important, and I'm trying to get her up to speed as fast as I can. She has a tough road ahead of her, but she will have fun doing it. That's what it's all about."

I-96 will crown track champions in all five of its weekly classes. In addition, the traveling SOD Sprint On Dirt Series will wrap up its season at the track.
Related topics: I-96 Speedway