FOND DU LAC, Wis. (Jan. 24, 2012) - Mercury Racing, a division of Mercury Marine, has been awarded the 2011 Environmental Award for Economic Feasibility and Sustainability by the Union International Motonautique (UIM). The UIM is the world governing body for all power boating activities. The UIM Environmental Award recognizes outstanding environmental leaders, whether individuals or organizations that have exemplified inspiration, vision, innovation and leadership in safeguarding water and the environment through all types of power boating activities. Among the main selection criteria are innovation, significance, practicality, usability, economic feasibility and environmental benefit. The Fond du Lac, Wis., based company was selected for its development and production of low-emissions engines for the greening of outboard powerboat racing worldwide. "Mercury customers, myself included, want to boat on clean water and in a healthy environment. Mercury Racing showcases our environmentally responsible technologies through powerboat racing and performance boating worldwide," said Mercury Racing President Fred Kiekhaefer. Mercury Racing's influence in the greening of outboard powerboat racing began in 1997: In the legendary 24 Hours of Rouen endurance race in France, two stock 200hp Mercury OptiMax outboard-powered tunnel boats finished a respectable 4th and 5th overall. Mercury Racing again made history at the 2000 Rouen 24 Hour event when low-emission OptiMax-powered boats took first, second and fourth place overall, beating larger-displacement traditional race engines of all competitors. This marked the first time a low-emissions engine had won the event since its 1964 inception. Today, the OptiMax 200XS SST race outboard continues to dominate Class 2 competition in Rouen.
The low-emissions OptiMax 200XS SST has also had success in the U.S. An OptiMax 200XS SST race outboard powered Chris Fairchild to the 2011 UIM SST 120 World Championship July 26th, 2011, in Trenton, Mich.
Global demand for low-emissions race engines continues to grow as event promoters realize the need for creating affordable classes featuring clean, environmentally responsible engines. The OptiMax 200XS SST is the official power of the UIM F1H2O Nations Cup Series. The series features drivers competing in identical boats using identical engines and props.
Mercury Racing has made an impact in the greening of UIM Class 3C offshore racing as well. The low-emissions OptiMax 200XS ROS (Race offshore) has replaced the carbureted 2.0 Liter Mercury XR2 race outboard as the power of choice for this exciting outboard offshore racing class.
Mercury's efforts in sustaining the environment extend to entry-level racing as well. Mercury Racing's 60hp EFI FormulaRace outboard is featured in the UIM F-4S outboard racing series. Safety and environment sustainability are the main criteria for the series featuring strong, composite boats with reinforced cockpits and environmentally friendly engines. The international series features low-emissions four-stroke competition in Sweden, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Norway, Hungary, France, the Netherlands, China and other UIM nations, with approximately 60 boats registered worldwide.
About Mercury Racing
Based in Fond du Lac, Wis., Mercury Racing, a division of Mercury Marine, is a leading provider of high-performance marine propulsion systems for discriminating boaters worldwide, offering an exciting and fulfilling power boating experience on the water. Using leading-edge technology, Mercury Racing produces high-performance outboards, sterndrives, propellers, parts and accessories. Mercury Marine is a division of Brunswick Corp. (NYSE: BC), the world's largest manufacturer of recreational products, including pleasure boats, marine engines, fitness equipment, and bowling and billiards.
