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June 19th, 2013

In with the Outlaws!

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Artwork for the official Mercury Racing event T-shirt.

Everything’s Big in Texas – including the artwork on the official Mercury Racing event T-shirts.

Endeaver Marina on Clear Lake transform into the poker run village for the weekend.

Endeaver Marina on Clear Lake transforms into the poker run village for the weekend. Photo courtesy Paul Robinson.

We’re getting stoked to head south tomorrow for the 6th Annual Texas Outlaw Challenge poker run. We’re excited to check out this unique venue. Traveling with me is our National Sales Manager Kevin Skiba and prop guru Scott Reichow.  Tad Whitten is delivering our poker run village displays featuring our 1650 RACE and 565 sterndrives, an OptiMax 300XS outboard, Mercury Racing Propellers and Accessories. If you’re attending, stop by and check out our horsepower stable:) Be sure to pick up an assortment of Mercury Racing Sportswear, including the official Everything’s Big in Texas event T-shirts. Boat attendance last year was 127. They are anticipating 200 boats this year!

Event promoter Paul Robinson is excited to have our support. “Mercury Racing has been an original Outlaw Sponsor since our first event 6 years ago, Paul said. “This year they are on-site in a centerpiece display featuring their new 1650 HP engine that debuted at the Miami Boat Show. We are proud to have it make its Texas debut at our event,” said Paul.

Run to Kenny’s

The docks at Endeaver Marina host some of the baddest, fastest boats on the planet during Challenge weekend.

The docks at Endeaver Marina host some of the baddest, fastest boats on the planet during Challenge weekend. Photo courtesy Paul Robnison.

Mercury Racing and MTI customer Kenny Armstrong hosts poker runners at his residence on Clear Lake.

Mercury Racing and MTI customer Kenny Armstrong hosts poker runners at his residence on Clear Lake. Photo courtesy Paul Robinson.

Johnny O’Loughlin, driving his 1350 powered 48′ MTI, was crowned King of the Hudson after his 167 mph run last weekend in New York City.  Any bets on who will be the fastest in Texas? We’ll have a good idea when the 100+ MPH Club Extreme Shootout is completed Friday morning. The first leg of the Gunslinger Poker Run & GPS Shootout takes place Friday afternoon. Apparently, the one and only stop on this short run is MTI and Mercury Racing customer Kenny Armstrong’s residence.

The main event takes place Saturday when boaters will have a choice of 11 card stops throughout Galveston Bay and Clear Lake.

MTI will debut Mario William's new 446 cat sporting 1350 power! Photo credit. Speed on the Water.

MTI will debut Mario William’s new 446 cat sporting 1350 power! Photo credit. Speed on the Water.

Dave Hemmingson's new M41 Wide Body looks fast sitting still!

Dave Hemmingson’s new M41 Wide Body looks fast sitting still!

Club QC4v

Some of the Mercury powered boats registered for the event include:

  • Kenny Armstrong’s 1350 powered 48′ MTI Phantom
  • The beautiful 52′ MTI Black Diamond
  • Mario Williams’ new 1350 powered 446  MTI, Big Bad Wolf.
  • Dave’s Custom Boats will showcase a number of exotic catamarans, including their 1350 powered 41 Wide Body.

Can’t wait to get in with the outlaws! We’ll post all of the sights and sounds of this exiting event next week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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1
June 6th, 2013

Rinker Wins Maple City Grand Prix

Posted in Event News, On the Water, Products by

Photos: Paul Kemiel Photographics

LaPorte action-867

Terry Rinker was again dialed-in and the one to beat.

Maple City Grand Prix race organizers (L-R): Jason Miller, Blair Milo, Mayor of LaPorte, Jack Arnette, President of LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Maple City Grand Prix race organizers (L-R): Jason Miller, Blair Milo, Mayor of LaPorte, Jack Arnette, President of LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Defending 2012 F1 High Points Champion Terry Rinker won the inaugural Maple City Grand Prix Sunday, June 2, in LaPorte, Indiana. The race was round two of the 2013 US Formula 1 Powerboat Tour.

“It was great to win a race in my home state,” said Terry Rinker. “I had family, friends and even former classmates cheering me on,” Terry said. Contributing Mercury Racing photographer Paul Kemiel, who lives in Michigan City, Indiana, was instrumental in bringing the excitement of outboard tunnel boat racing to LaPorte. “I’ve been involved with promoting the SBI Great Lakes Grand Prix since its inception,” said Paul. “Jason Miller, Sports Development Manager for the LaPorte County Convention & Visitors Bureau, asked for my input regarding other types of powerboat racing they could bring to the area. I told them Stone Lake was a natural for F1 tunnel boats,” Paul said.

LaPorte action-548

Laporte was Tammy Wolf’s first F1 race. She went to the event to get more seat time in her new OptiMax 200XS SST powered F2 boat.

LaPorte portraits-50

Drivers resorted to signing Mercury Racing decals after running out of autograph cards.

US Formula 1 Powerboat Tour President Jose Mendana worked with race organizer Jason Miller to put on the event. “The community was very excited.  The amount of people who showed up for the boat parade and street party was incredible,” said Jose.

“LaPorte was phenomenal. Crowds of people were constantly by the boats asking for autographs,” said Tammy Wolf.  “It was the most phenomenal North American race I’ve been to in some time,” Tammy said.

Tammy went to LaPorte to continue testing of her new Mercury OptiMax 200 XS SST race outboard powered F2 ride. She knew she wouldn’t be competitive with the higher horsepower F1 boats. “I thought I was fast until the first F1 boat blew past me! I still have my training wheels on, I’m giving the boys headaches,” said Tammy. “I don’t think they are used to girl drivers. I thought I would be one of the guys…they don’t seem to quite know what to do with me,” Tammy said. “Chris Fairchild took me under his wing and let me pit with him for the weekend,”said Tammy. “Tammy is doing great. She is still learning the differences between SST60 and F2. I thought she adapted well to the right-hand turn in LaPorte,” said Chris. Read the rest of this entry »

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April 18th, 2013

“Fluke” Encouter

Posted in History, Products by

WS Holland, Johnny Cash's one and only drummer.

WS Holland, Johnny Cash’s one and only drummer. Photo credit: bestdamnshows.com.

WS in his Johnny Cash tunnel race boat.

WS in his Johnny Cash tunnel race boat. Photo courtesy Krista Holland.

I began my career with Mercury Racing in 1988 as a Product Support Specialist. I traveled throughout the country supporting stock outboard and  Formula 1 tunnel boat racing.

St. Louis was the Indy 500 of outboard tunnel boat racing. Racers and fans from around the world would converge on George Winter Park to watch hometown favorites, the Seebold’s, defend their turf. I was working the parts truck one year when Mike Butler (Race Sales Manager at the time) was talking with an older gentleman about tunnel boat races from days gone by and variety of other topics. Mike then introduced me to the gentleman. He was WS Holland, Johnny Cash’s drummer. I had to step back and process who I had just met. I couldn’t believe it! I’m a music lover and drummer as well. The chance of meeting someone like WS at a boat race was very cool and as I would find out later, more than a fluke encounter.

WS checking out the competition during time trials in Portsmouth, Ohio.

WS checking out the competition while waiting his turn to qualify for a race. Photo courtesy Krista Holland.

Boat racing was a family affair for the Holland's. Photo courtesy Krista Holland.

Boat racing was a family affair for the Holland’s.

I was impressed at how humble and down to earth this man was. It’s been over 20 years since WS and I have spoken in depth.  My impression hasn’t changed. Read the rest of this entry »

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1
March 28th, 2013

Vital Fluids

Posted in Announcements, News, Products, Service, Tool Kit by

Dyno technician, Dave Dins, running a 1350 for DCB.

Dyno technician, Dave Dins, puts a 1350 through its paces.

OptiMax 300XS powerheads await their turn on the dyno.

OptiMax 300XS powerheads await their turn on the dyno.

We spend a lot of time validating our products. This is because we are responsible for entire propulsion systems – not just independent components. Everything (engines, transmissions, drives and propellers) must work together and be tolerant of each other. This includes oils and lubes. They are the system’s lifeblood.

We validate our engines using specific oil types and weights. Same goes for the drives and  lubes. Over the years, our two-stroke outboards have evolved from carbs to electronic fuel injection to OptiMax low-emissions direct fuel injected technology. Similarly, our higher horsepower sterndrives have evolved from traditional 2-valve, push rod engines to a quad cam, four valve engine of our own design. Oil and lube requirements have evolved along with the products. Read the rest of this entry »

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March 14th, 2013

Clean Power for the European Union

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The 1100 is the most powerful EU compliant gasoline sterndrive available.

The 1100 is the most powerful EU compliant gasoline sterndrive available.

565-Model-Shot

The EU compliant 565 models bring Digital Throttle & Shift technology to the European sport boat market.

The 1650 RACE was the talk of the Miami Boat Show. Equally newsworthy was our release of 565 and 1100 sterndrives certified for use in the European Union (EU). The popular engines, packed with Mercury Racing exclusive components, meet the emissions requirements as set forth in the EU Recreational Craft Directive (RCD).

The certification expands the availability of the 565, 600 SCi, 662 SCi and 1100 sterndrive engine packages to all countries that fall under the EU’s RCD. EU certified models are identified with the CE mark. OEM boat builders must certify that their boats conform to the RCD noise requirements.

Nor-Tech is going to keep busy keeping up with demand for their versatile 420 Monte Carlo.

Nor-Tech’s gorgeous 420 Monte Carlo equipped with twin 565s.

Nor-Tech's 477 Super Vee with twin 1350s.

Nor-Tech’s 477 Super Vee is a natural for EU 1100 power.

I first met go faster.de owner Andy Groeber back in 2004 when we first came out with the 1075 SCi. I would catch up with him over the following years on his annual trek to the Miami Boat Show. Andy is an exclusive Nor-Tech dealer just South of Munich. He has had a lot of success with the 662 SCis. He is excited to have the EU certified 565 and 1100. Andy sees the 565s being popular for the Nor-Tech Monte Carlo and 39-foot sportboats.

“No hassle boating is a key message for both the 565s and 1100s. The 1100s are wonderfully efficient. They have a very good reputation in the field with fewer breakdowns and less maintenance required than anything else in the past,” said Andy. They will open doors to sell high-end cats and vee-bottoms to customers who may not have bought them in the past due to maintenance needs, Andy said.  “Customers in this power range would have previously had triple diesels with sub par performance. The big power and torque capabilities of the 1100 will be a natural for big family cruisers as well,” Andy concluded. Read the rest of this entry »

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February 14th, 2013

Erik’s Reality

Posted in Announcements, Event News, News, Products, Technology by

The all-new 1650 RACE features closed cooled turbochagers.

The all-new 1650 RACE features closed cooled turbochagers.

The 1350 is no longer the fastest or strongest in Racing's H.P. stable.

The 1350 is no longer the fastest or strongest in Racing’s H.P. stable.

It’s hard to believe a year has passed and the 2013 Miami Boat Show is underway. We’ve experienced some major events since our last visit to South Beach. Fred Kiekhaefer has moved on after 22 years of service. With Fred’s departure, Erik Christiansen has been named General Manager. Fred will continue to represent Mercury Racing over the next two years. In fact, he’s at the show. If your there, be sure to stop by the Mercury booth and say hello. Erik and our staff of sales, service and engineering personnel are there to support the brand as well.

I decided to forgo the show this year to be with my son. I’ll miss seeing everyone and the exciting new products being unveiled. Jay Nichols has ensured me he will keep me abreast of the action via his acclaimed photography.

Rumor Mill

The 1650 RACE features reversed colors from the std. 1350 offering.

The 1650 RACE features reversed colors from the std. 1350 offering.

Some of you may be aware of the rumor mill started a while back when Powerboat Nation posted a story speculating we were going to release a 1700 h.p. engine. The story featured a dated 1350 model shot. Erik squashed all rumors when he unveiled the all-new 1650 RACE sterndrive. Based on our exclusive quad cam, four valve 1350, this monster features new pistons, larger turbos and requires 112 AKI race fuel.

So there, PB Nation. You were correct in that – yes – we did release a higher power engine based on our exclusive quad cam, four valve engine platform. You were off on the power and color, however. And no, this is not your father’s poker run engine. It is a race engine that is sold, without warranty, to qualified powerboat racing professionals. I’ll make sure you get a press kit:) Read the rest of this entry »

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3
January 12th, 2013

Fast Mercs – From Toronto to Miami

Posted in Event News, On the Water, Products by

This OptiMax 200XS tunnel race boat is front and center in the Mercury Marine booth at the Toronto International Boat Show.

Canadian driver Tammy Wolf and her female teammates finished a respectable 4th in Class 2 and 9th overall at the 2102 24 Hours of Rouen endurance race.

It’s show time! The Toronto International Boat Show opened last night and runs for the next nine days. The Mercury booth features a beautiful OptiMax 200XS SST powered tunnel race boat that is sure to draw people into the booth. Tammy Wolf, a driver with the all female team who competed at the 2012 24 Hours of Rouen endurance race, will be on hand to meet and greet fans.

Meanwhile, in the frozen tundra of Fond du Lac, people at Racing and Mercury headquarters are busy preparing for the upcoming Miami International Boat Show. Mercury has a vast array of exciting products to show and talk about. True to our Miami history, Racing will again have a few new things to share as well :-) Read the rest of this entry »

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1
December 28th, 2012

Sound Bites from Paradise – Part 2

Posted in Event News, On the Water, Products by

Video highlights from the 2012 Key West Poker Run Presented by Mercury Racing.

Nor-Tech’s 477 Super Vee with twin 1350s.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Mercury Racing. I hope you had a joyous Christmas with family and friends. For those of who may have missed our Facebook Holiday Countdown, Check it out! MercFan has to have the coolest Christmas tree on the planet!

It’s hard to believe 2013 is a only few days away.  I’m looking forward to a fresh start. We have some exciting things to share again in Miami and we’ll be sporting some new wheels in time for the Lake Havasu Boat Show and Desert Storm Poker Run. Lot’s of exciting things planned for the new year. In the mean time, I thought you might enjoy some more visuals from Key West.

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2
December 21st, 2012

Mercury Racing Honors Fred Kiekhaefer

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Mercury Racing honors Fred Kiekhaefer and his dynamic 22-year career.

Guests included Mercury Marine president Mark Schwabero, former Kiekhaefer Aeromarine employees and Mercury Racing employees and retirees.

The timing of our recent snow storm couldn’t have been more perfect. First, we’re going to have a white Christmas. Second and more important, it gave us an excuse to stay home with the kids (school closures); It also provided time for recovery after Fred Kiekhaefer’s farewell party Wednesday evening.

Fred recently announced he will be leaving Mercury Racing at the end of the year. He will continue representing our brand at boat shows, poker runs and other events. He also will provide consulting services for Mercury through 2014. Fred and his wife, Carol, are moving to Colorado where she will continue diabetes research with the Barbara Davis Center near Denver.

Erik Christiansen has been named General Manager of Mercury Racing. Erik, a 15-year employee of Mercury, was our Director of Engineering for the past four years and lead the development of the QC4v 1350 and 1100 sterndrive engine packages.

Fred has many cherished memories throughout his dynamic career. Certainly he is going to miss the daily interaction with his friends at Mercury Racing. Fred said, “I’ve spent more time with you folks than anybody else. You people are my friends. I may be moving on, but don’t think I’m abandoning my friends. Besides, I need you to take care of my investment here!” Read the rest of this entry »

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December 14th, 2012

Sound Bites from Paradise

Posted in Event News, On the Water, Products by

The 1350 stands guard in Mercury Racing’s Poker Run Village exhibit. Photo courtesy Stu Jones – Florida Powerboat Club.

Video highlights from the 2012 Key West Poker Run Presented by Mercury Racing.

It’s been just over a month since the running of the 20th annual Key West Poker Run. Kevin Skiba did a nice job of summarizing the activities in his November 16 post.  American Performance Television (APTV) captured on board excitement of participants enjoying the run in their Mercury powered boats.

Dealers, boat builders, owners and racers alike share their thoughts regarding Mercury Racing propulsion products. Enjoy!

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