Mercury News

Merc Force maintains domination as Mercury rules Southern 80

The amazing victory run enjoyed by the Merc Force team continues, with the quartet easily taking the chequered flag in the extremely competitive Southern 80 ski classic.

It capped a great weekend which saw Mercury engines power boats to 22 victories.

Merc Force driver Don Gulley, skiers Kris Knights and Jake Tegart, and observer Kevin Boylan mastered the Murray’s 120 bends to cross the line in the Superclass competition in 30 minutes 8 seconds, to hold on to the trophy they won last year.

Powered by the unbelievable Mercury Racing 1650 QC4V, their time was the second fastest in the history of the race, despite new safety rules limited boats to 120 mph (193 km/h). Merc Force adds the Southern 80 title to the Bridge to Bridge crown won earlier in the season, along with the four major crowns claimed last season.

Looking beyond Superclass, Mercury-powered boats dominated the Southern 80 weekend.

In the Unlimited Outboard category, it was Mercury 1-2-3 with – Watersports Marine, with twin 2.5L outboards, crossing ahead of Pumped Up and Velocity Racing, both sporting 300 XS engines.

Merc Force F1 set a new record of 33 minutes 15 seconds to collect the Open Women Expert with skiers Chelsea Blight – the current World Champion – and Maddison Boyer, along with teammates Trent Souwer and Christian Apps.

Speed Lab won MOC Expert, just ahead of Hardback Racing, both with 300hp Mercury motors.

There was a Mercury 250 XS trifecta in SMOC Expert – Mercury Rising setting a new race to beat out Still No Dramas and Queen Vic.

Showbiz and Mistress F2 – both with 300 XS outboards – went gold and silver in the F2 Expert competition.

Temper 2 and Triple 666, both powered by Mercury Racing 1350s, both scored comfortable wins.  Temper 2 won the 16-19 Boys Expert in a new record of 31 minutes 37 seconds, with Triple 666 claiming the 16-19 Girls Expert class by more than three minutes.

In the Veterans competition, it was Pigs Arsenal – also boasting a Mercury Racing 1350 – which finished on top of the podium.

Mercury’s other wins include;

• 200 HP Expert                    No Fear (200 outboard)
• 70 MPH Expert                  Triple 666 (300 XS)
• Weekend Warrior            Arkham Asylum F2 (300 XS)
• 60 MPH Expert                  Run Again (300 XS)
• Sub Junior Girls Expert   Target (300 XS)
• Unlim. Outboard Social  Showbiz (300 XS)
• Open Women Social        Against The Grain (300 XS)
• Junior Social                       The Player (700 SCI)
• 70 MPH Social                    Karrupt (600 SCI)
• Under 10 Boys                   Pumped Up (300 XS)
• Under 10 Girls                   Elm St F2 (300 XS)

“The Merc Force boys have everything dialled in at the moment, it’s such a pleasure to watch them perform. The Mercury Racing 1650 QC4V has been called ‘Godzilla’ at that’s how it’s performing,” said Peter Massina from Mercury Racing Australia/New Zealand.

“But then it’s also great to see so many boats powered by our other engines, like the 300 XS outboards, winning so many titles as well.

‘Mercury has racing in its DNA and the proof is right there.”