Mercury Racing has entered a two-year sponsorship deal with the USA based Formula One Powerboat Championship series.
The agreement is for the 2022 and 2023 racing seasons and names Mercury Racing as the Official Marine Engine and Drive Sponsor. For the next two seasons a Mercury Racing 360 APX outboard will also provide the power for the Formula One Race Ride Experience, a two-seater raceboat available for media and VIP demonstration laps at each race venue.
Mercury Racing General Manager Stuart Halley said
Mercury Racing is excited to be partnering with the Formula One Powerboat Championship Series. Our support of the premier in-shore circuit-racing series in North America reflects a renewed focus on outboard circuit racing powered by the Mercury Racing Apex Series competition outboard motors. Mercury Racing also appreciates that Formula One and the powerboat racing community is embracing a shift to more sustainable and modern engines.
The five event 2022 Formula One Powerboat Championship Series begins April 29-May 1 on the Neches River at the Port Neches Riverfest on the Texas Gulf Coast. The season continues with events in Pittsburgh, Pa. (July 28-31), OPC Nationals at Springfield, Ohio (Aug. 26-28), Highlands, Texas (Sept. 30-Oct. 2) and the Havasu Classic Championships at Lake Havasu, Ariz. (Oct. 14-16). Mercury Racing will have a presence throughout each race weekend.
Tim Seebold, Managing Director of the Formula One Powerboat Championship said
Mercury Racing outboards have powered the top classes on the Formula One series throughout North America and throughout the world with the F1H2O series. We welcome its rededication to outboard competition with both this sponsorship package and the development of the Apex Series, a new generation of competition outboard power.
Each event will feature multiple boat classes, including the top Formula One tunnel boat class. The new Mercury Racing 200 APX competition outboard is eligible for Formula One in 2022. Several top teams are expected to race with the 200 APX motor, a 3.4-liter V6 four-stroke model. Rated at more than 200 horsepower, the 200 APX outboard offers racers an exceptionally durable powerhead and the latest in four-stroke engine technology, while reducing exhaust emissions by 90 percent compared to the Mercury Racing 200 SX two-stroke outboard currently in use in these classes, which is no longer in production.
The power behind offering guests a thrilling ride in the Formula One Race Ride Experience two-seat boat will come from a Mercury Racing 360 APX, the new 4.6-liter V8 competition outboard.
At most venues, those rides will be available for fans purchasing a VIP ticket package. The boat will be equipped with video cameras to capture each guest experience. The Ride Experience boat will also be used as a pace boat during competition.
For more information on Formula One Powerboat Racing Championship events, go to F1PowerboatChampionship.com
