AXSH, AXSR class, Merc vs OMC

[Skoontz]

Just got this months Propeller...First step off topic, CONRATULATIONS to ARRON PETERSON for setting an AXSH record!!!!!! Great job to a great kid. We hope to see you more Arron from the 62-C Miss KTDoodle team.

Now the topic on the title.

Arron set this record with an OMC. Further, having spoken to Tony Lombardo at Salt Springs a few weeks ago, his input was this. If he got out in front of the Merc, they did not have the juice to get by him. If they got out front first, he did not have the juice to get by the Merc.

I find his input crucial because of his driving abilities, and I want to really tear into this one from anyone especially George S.

In a 10 boat drag race, 5 Mercs, 5 OMC's, all legal, 325lb boats, propped right, assuming every machine is mechanically flawless, whose gunna win?

Next, add 8 turns with 1/4 mile straights, all drivers evenly skilled, everything set to optimum, whose gunna win?, Then, make those straights 3/8-12 mile, whose gunna win?

I know there has been much buzz about the Merc's of late, particularly because they are newer and more available...

So, chime in here please, I would love to pick this one apart without getting into a Black vs White (or blue) argument.

Thank you for the anticipated responses.

[Hydroglobe17J]

I've raced both Merc & OMC. Merc is strong all around coarse,OMC no so good in corners. Both have good props, I would bet on Merc! Driving skill doesn't help much when someone is faster on long coarse! Just my thoughts!

[Jeff Brewster 59s]

Funny this topic came up as I watched an Axsh race last weekend. It went, omc, merc, omc, merc, omc, omc. It was incredible how evenly matched they were for this race. Hopefully it will be able to stay this way for a while.

[G Stillwill]

The race Jeff was watching was the one I was in. A good OMC if it gets out front will stay ahead of a good Merc and visa versa. If its an average OMC a good Merc will run it down. Soon there will be some good Mercs on the west coast so you will be able to compare them yourself. I have Arrons Merc in the shop now so he will be running one soon. Most of the courses we run it takes two mile an hour to get around someone with an AX .and the Mercs just dont run two mile an hour faster then a good OMC. I run 30 pounds over in AXSH which kills the motor in tight turns but when out in front and can pick my line I usually can stay there with my Mercs.

[Susan Rautenberg]

WELL-- westcoast here--- Ashley has been running an omc as said in the propeller magazine and doing fairly well if she starts out front. On the shorter courses she can win on the longer ones the merc is faster and has passed her up--- if any indication out here as george said--aaron has a merc and ashley just got one too. I think the merc is faster or will be very very soon and I think we happen to have some fast omc's in our trailer.
in axs-- hannons are rolling right along with their omc's very tough to beat
mercs are coming alive out here on the westcoast-- i think im going to get a real education soon on that motor being an omc person.

[TONY TRUJILLO r11]

I Am A Fan Of The Omc I Have Not Seen Any Merc That Would Make Me Want To Change Over ---lets See What Comes Up In The Future. Keep Livin' On The Jagged Edge !

[G Stillwill]

Hope you are at the Nats it will be interesting

[Skoontz]

George, you will be getting my merc very shortly. I wish I could invent a 40 hour work day.....

Thanks all for the great replies!

[RuthieRae]

Nats

Hope you are at the Nats it will be interesting

George, if you are speaking of Ashley....we will be in New York, just not sure what we are running yet.... I believe you will also see Aaron there, along with a few of the mentioned Hannons! So, it should be an interesting week watching the Merc's and Omc's battle it out.
P.S. Thank you for all of your help!
Sheryl Rucker

[G Stillwill]

No Sheryl the post was for Tony but looking forward to seeing the gang from the left coast. The east and the mid west have been running the Mercs for a few years now so pretty much have them dialed in. If you need any help or need some answers at Whitney just look me up. Im pretty sure Doug Martin is bringing Jared to the Nats to so looking forward to it.