Mercury Racing Rocks Miami

[MercuryRacing]

50^th Anniversary Kicks Off With V10 400R Outboard and Ventera Prop Introduction

The Miami International Boat Show was the backdrop for a week of exciting activity for Mercury Racing. On Feb. 14, more than 180 people attended a presentation and party at the 1111 Lincoln Road Event Space to kick off the Mercury Racing 50th Anniversary celebration, which will be a theme for special events and content throughout 2023. The new Mercury Racing 400R outboard and Ventera propeller were also revealed, while Brunswick Corporation CEO David Foulkes, new Mercury Marine president John Buelow, and Mercury Racing general manager Stuart Halley welcomed guests with remarks.

“For a half-century the organization known today as Mercury Racing has been at the forefront of marine high performance,” said Halley. “One constant has been the unwavering dedication of our employees, dealers, and suppliers, and our boat-builder partners, racers and customers who have always pushed us to lead the race, and to lead the industry.”

Other noteworthy guests at the 50^th Anniversary kick-off included Rick Welch, who in 1973 was the first director of Mercury Hi-Performance products Division, former Mercury Racing President Fred Kiekhaefer, former Mercury Racing general manager Erik Christiansen, and Bill, Mike and Tim Seebold of Mercury Racing tunnel boat fame.

Mercury Racing will note its history through a commemorative logo, a special heritage web page highlighting the company's historic milestones, and a variety of interactive digital and in-person experiences—celebrating five decades of high performance and power. The 50th Anniversary celebration will reach its pinnacle in Sheboygan, Wis., on August 11-13, with the Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge, an inaugural festival featuring the top categories of U.S. powerboat racing including the UIM Class 1 World Championship, F1 Powerboat Championship, and various offshore racing classes competing along the Lake Michigan waterfront. Full details of the Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge will be announced in Spring 2023.

The all-new Mercury Racing V10 400R outboard is designed primarily to power performance center console boats and catamarans to speeds well beyond 75 mph. The V10 400R offers more power and a higher RPM range than any outboard in this category. A host of exclusive Mercury Racing features further enhance the experience of piloting a Wide Open performance powerboat.

“The Mercury Racing team has created a worthy successor to the legendary L6 400R outboard,” said Halley. “The V10 400R offers more low-end torque, more peak horsepower, and better fuel economy than the L6, and delivers full power on 87 octane fuel. The new V10 400R delivers the potent performance and drivability that only Mercury Racing can offer.”

The new V10 400R was the star of the Mercury Racing in-water demo zone at the Grove Harbour Marina in Coconut Grove, Fla. The performance of the new motor was on display as rigged to the following boats: Mystic 4200, Fountain 38 SCX, MTI 390X and V42, Midnight Express 37 Open, Nor-Tech 400 Sport and Sunsation 32CCX. The fire-breathing Mercury Racing 450R outboard powered a DCB M37, Nor-Tech 450 Sport and Outerlimits SC37 in the fleet, while the Mercury Racing 300R outboard was featured on the Yellowfin 36 and Outerlimits SV29. Demo rides were arranged by appointment only, and visitors appreciated the exclusive access and short run to open water.

Mercury Racing wants to thank all of the boat manufacturers and staff who made the Miami show a Wide Open experience.