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Now THIS is a step in the right direction! Just saw this today on the dealer website:
New Mercury 60 EFI FormulaRace
Latest FourStroke Outboard From Mercury Racing
FOND DU LAC, Wis., April 22, 2008 – Mercury Racing is pleased to announce the introduction of the all-new Mercury 60 EFI FormulaRace outboard. The 60 h.p. in-line four-cylinder engine expands Racing’s breadth of low-emissions 4-strokes; an offspring of the soon-to-be released Verado 350 SCi. The two join Mercury Racing’s line of OptiMax “XS” series of low-emissions 2-stroke consumer outboards.
The engine, built at Mercury Marine’s state-of-the-art outboard manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China, was designed specifically to meet increasing demand for engines in support of the popular Mercury FormulaFour outboard tunnel boat racing series. The series, featuring one-design 14-foot tunnel race boats powered by a production Mercury 60 EFI FourStroke outboard, was originated by Brunswick Marine Sweden and their dealer Mikael Frodé. A total of 10 boats compete on the Scandinavian circuit ( Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway) with an additional six boats scheduled to join the fleet in 2008.
Although racing is basically exempt from emissions regulations, event promoters are beginning to realize that they need to create new classes and/or update existing boats with emissions compliant power. The 60 EFI FormulaRace provides racers and promoters with an affordable modern engine which is also environmentally responsible. Racing communities throughout Germany, Poland, China and the Middle East have expressed interest in the Mercury FormulaFour series.
Back to the Future
The 60 EFI FormulaRace features a production 60 horsepower four-cylinder powerhead mounted on a short (15” - 381 mm) shaft, die-cast mid section with race-inspired solid upper and lower mounts. Power is transferred to the water through the production 1.83:1 gearcase. A line of Mercury Racing Lab Finished ® stainless steel propellers are available. An accessories kit sold with the engine includes competition steering bars.
The 15” mid section, five inches shorter than a normal (20”- 508 mm) model, lowers the engine’s center of gravity. The lower center of gravity, combined with solid engine mounts, enhances boat handling and overall performance.
North American tunnel boat racing is stagnant in regards to new entries into the sport. Entry level classes currently feature older race engines which have been out of production for years. Turn-key, entry-level equipment is non-existent.
The U.S. based F-1 ChampBoat Series is planning to bring the Mercury FormulaFour series concept to the states in 2009. ChampBoat promoter Mike Schriefer envisions the Mercury 60 EFI FormulaRace outboard and the FormulaFour class concept as the breath of life that U.S. outboard tunnel boat racing is in dire need of. Schriefer plans to launch a powerboat racing school featuring 12 identical turn-key spec boats. The school will be used to promote safety first with new state-of-the-art race boats and power. The school will enable “graduates” to rent or buy the boats for competition in the new ChampBoat Series F-4 class.
New Mercury 60 EFI FormulaRace
Latest FourStroke Outboard From Mercury Racing
FOND DU LAC, Wis., April 22, 2008 – Mercury Racing is pleased to announce the introduction of the all-new Mercury 60 EFI FormulaRace outboard. The 60 h.p. in-line four-cylinder engine expands Racing’s breadth of low-emissions 4-strokes; an offspring of the soon-to-be released Verado 350 SCi. The two join Mercury Racing’s line of OptiMax “XS” series of low-emissions 2-stroke consumer outboards.
The engine, built at Mercury Marine’s state-of-the-art outboard manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China, was designed specifically to meet increasing demand for engines in support of the popular Mercury FormulaFour outboard tunnel boat racing series. The series, featuring one-design 14-foot tunnel race boats powered by a production Mercury 60 EFI FourStroke outboard, was originated by Brunswick Marine Sweden and their dealer Mikael Frodé. A total of 10 boats compete on the Scandinavian circuit ( Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway) with an additional six boats scheduled to join the fleet in 2008.
Although racing is basically exempt from emissions regulations, event promoters are beginning to realize that they need to create new classes and/or update existing boats with emissions compliant power. The 60 EFI FormulaRace provides racers and promoters with an affordable modern engine which is also environmentally responsible. Racing communities throughout Germany, Poland, China and the Middle East have expressed interest in the Mercury FormulaFour series.
Back to the Future
The 60 EFI FormulaRace features a production 60 horsepower four-cylinder powerhead mounted on a short (15” - 381 mm) shaft, die-cast mid section with race-inspired solid upper and lower mounts. Power is transferred to the water through the production 1.83:1 gearcase. A line of Mercury Racing Lab Finished ® stainless steel propellers are available. An accessories kit sold with the engine includes competition steering bars.
The 15” mid section, five inches shorter than a normal (20”- 508 mm) model, lowers the engine’s center of gravity. The lower center of gravity, combined with solid engine mounts, enhances boat handling and overall performance.
North American tunnel boat racing is stagnant in regards to new entries into the sport. Entry level classes currently feature older race engines which have been out of production for years. Turn-key, entry-level equipment is non-existent.
The U.S. based F-1 ChampBoat Series is planning to bring the Mercury FormulaFour series concept to the states in 2009. ChampBoat promoter Mike Schriefer envisions the Mercury 60 EFI FormulaRace outboard and the FormulaFour class concept as the breath of life that U.S. outboard tunnel boat racing is in dire need of. Schriefer plans to launch a powerboat racing school featuring 12 identical turn-key spec boats. The school will be used to promote safety first with new state-of-the-art race boats and power. The school will enable “graduates” to rent or buy the boats for competition in the new ChampBoat Series F-4 class.
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