Mercury enjoys another medal haul at the Southern 80

Mercury engines secured first and second places in five of the toughest categories in this year’s Southern 80 ski race classic.

Raced around more than 140 bends on the glorious Murray River between Torrumbarry and Echuca, the Southern 80 attracts the best boats and skiers from across Australia every year.

And once again Mercury Marine engines propelled a host of winners across the line.

It was first, second and third in the F2 class, with Miss Force nudging the race record with a 39min-39second win, just clear of Smokin’ Mirrors 2 and 99PC Team 4. Some 36 seconds covered the three boats which were all pushed by Mercury 300XS OptiMax machinery.

Reigning champions Cyclone Racing 2 retained its title in the Unlimited Outboard competition with a 37min-37second run, followed by 2 Wild 13 seconds in arrears thanks to their 2.5L Mercury F1 engines. Still Smercen came home third, pushed by its twin Mercury 300XS OptiMax rig.

In SMOC, Little Man and Alien Force took first and second places, both powered by OptiMax 250XS outboards. Little Man crossed in 40 min 11 secs, only one second clear.

Twisted collected the win in the MOC class, taking the flag in 39mins 38, with Category 5 and Runnin’ Wild filling the podium. All three boats were running Mercury engines.

And record holder SAINTN maintained its stranglehold on the 200hp Outboard category, keeping the title  by finishing 16 seconds clear of Sky High in 43mins-09secs, with boat boats boasting Mercury 2.5L engines.

“It’s always good to see Mercury engines delivering these sorts of results,” said Guy Williamson, Mercury’s Director of Service and Quality.

“I think it clearly shows that with Mercury engines you can be highly competitive in any class of racing you want to pick.

“We’ve got the unmatched technology to get you across the line.”