Engine Manf. @ Jasper

[Ally 1988]

i dont understand why they did not come to represent there engines. A few boat guys came with some very nice toys how come the Engine guys didnt bring out there new toys. The last time I saw the Mercury truck and I say I saw was In Palatka Fla. in 2001 Where they had a line outside that seemed like a mile long. Selling all kinds of things. Whats up with this.:confused:

[H2Onut]

I made the same comment, No Mercury truck at the World Finals, the smells BAD.............

No OMC truck......

FREAKIN POLITICS, that smells even worse WTF ????????

[Steve Zuckerman]

Guys:
When ODBA was affiliated with APBA, the Mercury truck did regularly show up at Jasper, and did lots of business. I don't
recall the exact reason (insurance $$?) why we parted ways with
APBA, but we did.
Mercury does not show up at non-APBA sanctioned racing events,
to my knowledge. Politics as usual. It's their loss. They should
have been there. They sure missed one hell of an event!
Best Regards,
Steve
;)

[BarryStrawn]

Mercury didn't show at Palatka this spring either and that was APBA sanctioned.

[mr fun]

even the guy in the trailer at palatka 2001 mentioned this. the 2002 palatka deal was the same weekend in daytona for offshore. as capt. owell says "OWELL" fun out. :rolleyes:

[Balzy]

BUDGETS

[Instigator]

Good question to start with Gary, I never even thought about while there.
It's as big of a slap in the face to all the racers that work their asses off, spend every dime they have and end up with no support at an event like this??
I heard about a year ago that Merc Hi Po had their budget cut by 70%!! OUCH!
I also never thought of Steves comment about it being non-APBA??
As I recall it was the cost of Insurance through APBA that was the starw that broke the cammels back with the ODBA's assoc with them.
I know that I put into my budget proposal to the city of Carrollton for Rumble funds to pay for advertising in the APBA news letter/magazine the Propeller.
I was shocked/pissed when the APBA told me thanx but no freakin thanx??
They said it was a conflict of interest! I said, well I wont tell you every thing I said.
I did tell them that I was a racing member for nine years and have been an associatte member for the last seven teen.
They went on to tell me that since I did'nt have my event insurance through them (??????) that they were'nt interested????
They did say that they would be more than willing to sell me event coverage if I needed it thiough?? (guess every one sells insurance now)
An APBA contact told me to contact the head of the OPC division ( that was the division I was trying to bring to the Rumble) and that he could/would put it in his monthly collum.
I e-mailed him and called him at home (this contact had just talked to him at home and got in trouble for telling me so) to let him know who I was an what we were doing.
I never got a call or an e??
I know times are lean for every body but in my book, if the sacntioning body (ODBA) can survive w/o the sponsorship/control of the manufacturers, they are way better off!
Seen corporate USA (engine manufac) screw up racing way too many times in my life!
Still sucks just the same!
Gary
P.S. Congrats to the ODBA for the fine job they did last weekend.
I raced for nine years and I don't think I ever went to a race with 140 boats, and for sure never one run that smooth.
Graet Job Guys!!
Gary

[Ally 1988]

That sucks you think the best way to turn around your business is to get out there and show what you got not many people can sit at home and find a job when you dont have one but if you get out and beat the bushes you might find one.
( No pun intended on that one Gary and yes congratulations on your new Job.) Im sure disapointed in that I really enjoyed seeing that truck 2 years ago in Palatka they looked like they sold every hat shirt they had hell mine are all worn out now I needed new ones. Im confused about why you would give up on your bread and butter and not mend fences with an association or event well judging buy the attendance and buy the number of particapants it was each manufactors loss.:(

[Hack02]

Jay Smith of Jay Smith racing engines was there, I introduced myself and he was very friendly and well spoken. Also the head honcho of Chrysler racing outboards, Mr. T Rex himself was there. Also one of the nicest people you could meet.

[XBuddawg]

if I am not mistaken, besides the money the Mercury truck makes from sellin' stuff, they want you to pay them to show up to the events. So, ya have to pay them for their support, and to let them sell stuff... but hey, they gotta make money huh?...hehe...

Later,
Buddy

[BK]

Im thinking Mercury went to 24Hours of Rouen -- and that is not APBA sanctioned.

Mercury doesn't come to Formula One races anymore either, and those *are* APBA sanctioned.

So I don't think the sanctioning body is what matters. It's more about who sells what, and if the business garnered will pay for the expense of a 4-day trip: (employee salaries x 3, truck expenses, fuel, hotels, meals, etc).

APBA sometimes has 8 separate races across the country per weekend, but you won't see the Mercury truck at any of them. There's only two series that they sponsors for this year; The Champboat Series and the Offshore circuit. And that's where you will find the truck.

Also -- regarding advertising in the Propeller Magazine; Gary -- don't be miffed by what Propeller Mag told you. Propeller is actually a membership newsletter -- the advertising rates are WAY Below the rates of any other boating magazines. In fact, the rates are DIRT CHEAP --- for a reason. That's because the magazine is really an APBA member benefit - partly paid for by memberships themselves - and since APBA is a member-based organization, they want it that way.

If they opened the mag up to outsiders or non-APBA related goods, they'd be innundated with THOUSANDS of requests -- because the rates are well below what they'd have to pay anywhere else.

As an APBA member, I once wanted to advertise my portrait painting business, and was turned down -- until I offered to do only portraits of race boats ;) They said "Sure!"....and I sure sold a lot of them!

And remember --- it's a member owned mag/newsletter that is in existence solely to promote APBA events, so of course the APBA members themselves want to see advertisements to their own shows only - and that's why they asked if you wanted the "Rumble" to be an APBA insured event, so it could fall under "sanctioned" and therefore be eligible for the APBA benefits. (such as Propeller Mag promotions)

I remember paying $1000 per month for a 1/2 page black & white advert. in a major boating mag several years ago. Propeller ad rates are a fraction of that; an incredible vaule for APBA members, clubs and businesses. So don't think that they are dissin' you over the Rumble thing...... it's their duty to reserve the mag space for APBA-type stuff only. Boy, It could really turn into a mess if they didn't. :D

[rob vaughn]

Ya,this sounds like the people that call the shots for Mercury must double for upper management at sylvania.....The most common place to show off and sell there product (to the average racer) would be at a more down to earth racing division. But instead, they go to the million dollar + budget races......
Now by no means is this saying that Jasper is not a high dollar race, I simply mean that this is a mistake not to come and show off there stuff.......
No common sense,I also think these races would go over great on TV instead of those TOP FUEL and ALCOHOL HYDROS that we see all the time,show the average guy racing his PRIDE AND JOY!!!!!

[BarryStrawn]

Mercury pays to sponsor both the ChampBoat Series and APBA Offshore so there should be little mystery why they would show up at those events.

ODBA turned down the Mercury money for 2002. APBA Drag seemed to self destruct in 2001 and then adopted ODBA class rules for 2002. Why would Mercury support either?

Looks like if you want the big black truck to show up you need to be a good partner and run Mercury decals (and engines) on all the boats.

[Rocket]

Mercury dosen't care about the little guy! Only Mercury! I bet when the OMC guys get thier **** together that, they will be at all our ODBA events trying to get us to switch! We just might! We use who we choose!

Mercury cut thier budget in 2001 and would not support ODBA, The ODBA board decided that a $25,000.00 membership to APBA, we could all live without! Even with 140 boats at Jasper divide that up its $179.00 each just to put APBA on our boats & see the Mercury truck! Big deal!

I'll keep my money for those big $$$$$$$$ donations to Mercury, in parts!

My two cents!:mad:

[ChrisXS2003]

Didn't the ODBA deny a "sponsorship" offer from MHP before this season began? The amount MHP offered was LOW (because of the budget cuts) and the ODBA organizers rejected the offer because somehow it ended up costing the association more to have them sponsor.

Sam Baker lobbied to get MHP to help, and when they did, the wheels at the ODBA refused it. Seems like it pissed off the people at Mercury...

All from memory and I've slept since then, but that's what I remember happening last spring.

Sam Baker might have the facts on this

Chris

PS
The truck was at the event last year

[H2Onut]

It's still piss poor that NO manufacture was there. I mean the FINALS...gezzz la frickin weez. No Excuse..it's plain Bull Dung HEll every hat and t-shirt and jacket and prop cover and key chain is a profit.

Someone at Mercury or OMC has to read these boards.

Get your heads out of ya * and start promoting the sport. Alot of people buy outboards and if they had reason to come see a race they would be hooked ~

[Steve Zuckerman]

Barry:
When Mercury showed up at Jasper there were more OMCs than there are now. I guess spare parts were actually available for them back in those days. That has nothing to do with it. They showed at Rouen and an OMC (woops) Bombardier won the race, so obviously there were some whiteys there too.
There are also rice burners at the Champ races (Anderson Racing,
etc), and they show up there.
Not taking up for Mercury, they don't need my help, nor do they
seem to respect the people who make them look good and pay their bills. Just setting the record straight and exploding another OMC myth.
Regards,
Steve;)

[BarryStrawn]

Steve - Didn't mean to be pissing on Mercury although I certainly have in the past. An earlier post identified ChampBoats and APBA Offshore as series where the truck always provides support. I just offered some additional facts. I think it's a good business model for them to sponsor and support a series. Someone needs to do it.

And it was a privately entered OMC that Rouen'd Mercury's plans in France. Don't think Bombardier had anything to do with it.

[Gordie Miller]

I've raced boats now for 25 years, and sell a lot of stuff to my fellow racers and buddies. I make a few bucks here and there, but, by and large, boat racers are REAL stingy. All you have to do is read this board for a few days and you'll understand why the Mercury truck can't afford to come to these races. On this board, I watch people post wanted ads, then a few guys will say, I got that, call me. People rarely call, you have to call them, then listen to all their sob stories about how you should GIVE them what they need and pay the shipping to them to boot. It's purely a matter of economics, most boat racers and S & F members would rather do the work themselves with old parts they can get for free rather than buy new or hire it out. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but if you guys want support from a business or corporation, you have to allow/enable them to make money. Plain and simple, NO PROFIT, NO BUSINESS, NO BUSINESS, NO JOBS OR PARTS. Mercury is the only manufacturer left that has anything resembling an outboard race program, in large part due to the fact we'd rather spend 500 hours piecing together old junk to race, rather than buy new at a price that allows the manufacturers to make $ on race engines. And yes, I do have first hand know;edge to back this up. Go ahead let the slamming begin. I got big shoulders, I can take it.

[us1ss]

One of the last offshore races we went to back in 1995 was the worlds in Key West. Mercury had 2 big trucks a small truck and a Ryder rental at that race they sold 3 trucks full of powerheads, gearcases, drives, props, and hardware. They also sold all the hats, shirts etc.. that they had. At Jasper last year they sold alot of hats, shirts etc... how many powerheads, gearcases, and props? Probably a few props, a gearcase and maybe but unlikely a powerhead. It's like Gordie says, it is all economics.

[Instigator]

If you look at Offshore compared to us, we're nothing!!
With the guys buying million dollar boats for freakin poker runs???
Whats all that about?? (grow some stones and race the damn thing!!)
If you look at the money at an Offshore race, in the rigs, and in the specator fleet, it's probably 100 times what we represent to them.
Rob King and I had this disscussion at Japser. It would be very difficult to build a factory race motor, or program at a corporate level and be able to justify it to the bean counters!
Probably more like impossible.
My opinion is that they (Merc and OMC) should (I would) try to write it off as marketting and R/D (they probably already do) vs profit generating.
This is what I expect Bombardier to do. We are a tiny, tiny market to them.
They would never recoupe the intial R/D investement on a new race motor/program.
But, if they wanted some free (??) press on them being back in the game, that would be a good way to do it.
I believe that a large part of the reason that Mercury is still in the game is because of the lagacy that Karl Keikhafer (sp?) left behind.
Take no prisoners period!!
And what better way to prove a product than through the abuse of racing/Hi Po!
I contacted key people at Merc and Bombardier about attending the Rumble this year.
Never heard from either one.
I know we were tiny the year before and we had no history to show them.
But what I told them was, I know you go to the races to support the racers, and I know a lot of that stuff is disounted/given away in sponsorship. What I was suggestinig was that they court a different market entirely.
How about a guy with a 65 MPH Checkmate that wants to see 70??
Most of these guys have never seen the inside of a race truck.
Hell my Visa would burst into flames just walking by one!
(maybe next year???)
Or, how about a tech seminar (we talked about one for last year) on icreasing performance??
I sure as hell would pay to go.
It's a tuff game now matter how you cut the cards.

Gary

[KaptainKirk]

hit it right on the head......there are A LOT of tire kickers out there !!
K.K.

[H2Onut]

There are tire kickers everywhere, I guess I may be off base here, I am not asking for a mobile machine shop, How about a van full of t shirts and cuzzi's and the lil affordable **** we can all take home as a momento. Mercury doesnt have a VAN ? or a Local dealer to send out there? Economics BS! read the report outboard sales were up 3% last year!!! I thought up was good ?

If the economy is so bad why the new 200x 250x motors if performance outboards are dead ? Looks like crooked economics to me O-O If a company wasn't makin cash on a product, they would stop production of it of phase it out, I dont see that either.

Hell I can go to a local train show and see a lionel rep, Are they that rich ? flip know, just invloved with the product they are trying to sell. I am not pissing at anyone here. It is just plain crappy to have the largest turn out in 10 years at an event and no factory representation present be it white, black, japanese or whatever.

Plenty of aftermarket vendors made the trip with there goods.

[Instigator]

Remind me to never piss you off :D

[Nosubforcid]

My predictions for Bombardier:
Bombardier has used versions of the contingency model successfully for years in snowmobiles and watercraft I wouldn't expect them to deviate from it in the beginning at least. If they decide to target our market it will not be a halfway effort expect to see factory trucks, engineers, and technicians at every race. They are not used to being the also ran brand in any kind of racing, expect them to do whatever it takes to be competitive. They will be very skeptical of the current ODBA system where individual racers some with naturally close ties to Mercury marine are also the officers and rulemakers in the club. Expect them to test the waters to see if rulechanges follow on the heels of any challenge to Mercury's current dominance. There are many venues for them to consider supporting right now Offshore, PROP, UIM F1, Drag, etc. Nothing will bring the Mercury truck and renewed factory interest like a challenge from Bombardier. If they show Mercury will show.

Expect any Evinrude/Johnson factory support for individual racers to resemble this model.

Grant, Florida, March 1, 2002 – Bombardier steps up the support for Sea-Doo mounted watercraft closed-course racers for the tenth year with the all new 2002 Sea-Doo Bounty Racing open sponsorship program. The Sea-Doo Bounty is a racing contingency program that rewards Sea-Doo watercraft mounted racers that demonstrate superior results in IJSBA sanctioned races in the United States and CJSBA sanctioned races in Canada. The program is designed to encourage amateur watercraft racers to compete at the grass-roots level and reward them with cash prizes.

“The 2002 Sea-Doo Bounty Racing contingency program is designed to give ALL racers competing aboard Sea-Doo watercraft an equal opportunity to collect additional prize monies from Bombardier.” explains Tim McKercher of Sea-Doo Racing. “With the Sea-Doo Bounty, every racer on a Sea-Doo watercraft has a shot at winning extra money, or our bounty. It’s similar to an open sponsorship. Rather than helping out a hand-full of racers through a direct sponsorship and leaving the rest out in the cold, Bombardier is providing every racer the opportunity to be supported. ”


The 2002 Sea-Doo Bounty Racing program continues the Bombardier tradition of supporting the watercraft racing community. First introduced in 1992, Sea-Doo racing support programs have rewarded hundreds of Sea-Doo watercraft mounted racers millions of dollars over the past 10 years. In 2002, the company’s position is no different. Bombardier is supporting race promoters and event producers across the country with sponsorship funds that allow them to produce top-notch racing events, and more of them.


Bombardier’s sponsorship of the race promoters allows these promoters to produce more events. The 2002 Sea-Doo Bounty Racing program also helps amateur racers chase their racing dreams. “99.9% of watercraft racers have normal lives, with normal jobs, and race purely for the exhilaration of competition, not trying to make a living from it.” Says McKercher. “If a Sea-Doo watercraft racer can leave a race weekend with $100, $200, or $300 of Sea-Doo Bounty contingency monies, that’s huge. If we (Bombardier) can help the racers offset some of their costs and maybe make a profit from doing what they love, then that is a great way to reward our owners for choosing to race on Sea-Doo watercraft.”

The 2002 Sea-Doo Bounty Racing program pays novice, expert, pro/am, and pro class watercraft racers in several different program structures. The contingency payout is divided into three time periods. The first payout will include events that take place from early spring to mid-summer, the second includes races from mid-summer to early fall, and the third including the Skat Trak World Championships taking place in mid-October in Lake Havasu, AZ.


Racers collect contingency funds by mostly competing in the 1200 cc classes and finishing in the top two or three positions. In the 2002 Sea-Doo Bounty Racing program there is no limit to the contingency funds one racer can earn at any one event. The 2002 Sea-Doo Bounty Racing program is an open sponsorship to every Sea-Doo watercraft mounted racer competing in the qualifying classes.


“At the end of the 2002 Sea-Doo Bounty program we plan on singling out a select number of amateur Sea-Doo watercraft racers for a very special opportunity. That’s where the real bounty comes in!” says McKercher. “We will be on a season long search to find a number of the best amateur Sea-Doo watercraft racers in North America. You’ll just have to stay tuned to www.sea-doo.com to see what that opportunity is.“


Please see the tables and rules below for full details of the 2002 Sea-Doo Bounty Racing program.


Sea-Doo Bounty contingency redemption forms will be available to download directly from sea-doo.com in the Sea-Doo Today section in a printable format.



2002 Sea-Doo Challenge Contingency Payout


Level 1 Program – payout per event – includes: Skat Trak Mid-West Watercross Tour, Sea-Doo Hot Water Tour, Texas Championship Jet Sports Tour, Up-State Watercraft Productions Series

Finish Position
Novice Runabout 1200 Limited
Novice Runabout 1200 Superstock
Expert Runabout 1200 Limited
Expert Runabout 1200 Superstock
Pro-Am* Women Runabout 1200 Limited
Pro-Am Runabout 1200 Stock

1st
$75.00
$75.00
$150.00
$200.00
$75.00
$75.00

2nd
$50.00
$50.00
$125.00
$125.00
$50.00
$50.00

3rd
$25.00
$25.00
$100.00
$100.00
$25.00
$25.00



Level 2 Program– payout per event – All other IJSBA sanctioned closed-course events in the United States

Finish Position
Novice Runabout 1200 Limited
Novice Runabout 1200 Superstock
Expert Runabout 1200 Limited
Expert Runabout 1200 Superstock
Pro-Am Runabout 1200 Stock

1st
$50.00
$50.00
$100.00
$125.00
$75.00

2nd
$25.00
$25.00
$75.00
$75.00
$25.00

3rd
$50.00
$50.00




US Pro Tour – payout per event

Finish Position
Pro Runabout 1200 Superstock

1st
$2000.00

2nd $500.00



IJSBA National Championship in Nashville, TN August 12-18th, 2002

Special payouts for National Champions

Finish Position
Novice Runabout 1200 limited
Novice Runabout 1200 Superstock
Expert Runabout 1200 Limited
Expert Runabout 1200 Superstock
Pro-Am Women Runabout 1200
Pro-Am Runabout 1200 Stock
Pro 785 Runabout Superstock

Champ
$150.00
$150.00
$400.00
$500.00
$500.00
$400.00
$500.00

2nd
$100.00
$100.00
$150.00
$150.00
$150.00
$125.00

3rd
$50.00
$50.00
$100.00
$100.00
$100.00
$75.00



IJSBA World Championship In Lake Havasu, AZ October 7-13th, 2002 special payouts for World Champions

Finish Position
Novice Runabout 1200 limited
Novice Runabout 1200 Superstock
Expert Runabout 1200 Limited
Expert Runabout 1200 Superstock
Pro-Am Women Runabout 1200
Pro-Am Runabout 1200 Stock
Pro 785 Runabout Superstock
Pro 1200 Runabout Superstock

Champ
$150.00
$200.00
$400.00
$500.00
$500.00
$400.00
$600.00
$7500.00

2nd
$75.00
$75.00
$100.00
$125.00
$125.00
$125.00
$1000.00

3rd
$50.00
$50.00
$75.00
$75.00
$75.00
$75.00
$500.00



2002 Sea-Doo Challenge Eligibility Rules:



1. To be eligible for the Sea-Doo Challenge contingency, racer must compete on an IJSBA eligible Sea-Doo watercraft in the specified class(es) described in the rules and contingency tables with-in the United States. Race events offering the Sea-Doo Challenge are listed on the 2002 Sea-Doo Challenge Events page and will only include these events.

2. Contingency prizes will be paid to racers competing in the 1200 cc runabout classes aboard Sea-Doo watercraft. This is with the exception of the Pro and Pro/AM 785 Runabout Superstock winner at the National and World Championships.

3. Contingency prizes will be paid for closed course racing only. Slalom does not apply. In the World Finals contingency, only Overall Titles will be paid (which in some cases include slalom).

4. Racer must list Sea-Doo as the brand of watercraft raced and “Sea-Doo Racing” as a sponsor on entry.

5. The Sea-Doo logo must be clearly visible and legible on both sides of the watercraft. Sea-Doo logo must be a minimum of two-inch tall lettering.

6. Racer is eligible for as many contingency payments as earned during an event.

7. Racer must compete against a minimum of four finalists in the class to qualify for contingency.

8. To qualify for contingency payment, Bombardier must receive completed Sea-Doo Challenge Contingency Redemption Form from eligible racer within 10 days of race event.

9. Racers will receive one single compiled contingency payment for designated race events taking place between March 16, 2002 – June 23, 2002, and another single compiled contingency payment for designated race events taking place between June 28, 2002 – September 15, 2002. Racers will receive one single payment for contingencies earned at the Skat-Trak World Championships in mid-October, 2002.

10. Contingency payments will be issued to racers from Bombardier only after the IJSBA and Bombardier have verified official results.

[Balzy]

For the last 3 years we had the support of Mercury High Perf at the event I put on.

http://www.fortunecity.com/olympia/montana/513/209b65d0.jpg[/IMG]

We have taken the factory tour, had the truck and trailer there to buy merchandise off of at a great price (because the event was for charity, March of Dimes), and Dennis Cavanaugh made up probably 8K to 10 K of props for us to test for FREE !!!!!!!!!!!!! I know the event is in their back yard but they were and are there to support us on this event. The last two years we just about wiped out all the goods on the trailer with a pretty small crowd.

I won't mention names but Norscott (they are the people supply all the hats, T-shirts, acc, etc from) has a new sales representative for Mercury . He is also the same guy that supports Harley Davidson and helped start their owners group. (and done a damn good job of it) They sell a ton of stuff at their events. He was at the event this year and worked the trailer. He was overwhelmed with what we bought. He was very excited about it and is pushing Merc to get that trailer back on the road for more events.

Rick Mackie at Merc High Perf is also getting closer to putting the "MERC" Mercury Enthusiasts Rally Club together.

Gary, we talked a bunch about the Rumble on the River. He and I will be talking more this winter about ways to get more organized when it comes to putting on events all over the country. Brad Collins is also thinking about ways to get this more organized and I want to put Brad and this person together to discuss this more.

He realizes that the trailer is making NO $$$$ at all sitting in the parking lot in FonDuLac. I can't promise anything here because it's up to Merc on what happens next year but I can say that Norscott and Merc seemed pretty excited again this year after "Balz to the Wall" You never know, we may all see the trailer at a few more events next year.[IMG]

[H2Onut]

keep that cattle prod pushing them.....

[Raceman]

I guess I'm kind of an outsider lookin' in here, at least as far as politics go, but it looks to me like the ODBA is a pretty damn big outlet for Merc High Performance. I think there were a bunch of drag powerheads at Jasper. Just from sheer numbers, it seems like there were probably more there than say S3000's at your average PROP race. Admittedly I've never been to an offshore race, but it's hard to think that there are more high perf Merc outboards at the average offshore than at Jasper.

My guess is that Merc's abscense from Jasper has more to do with politics than lack of sales at the event itself. If not, they obviously fail to account for the benefits of the exposure of the truck at the event, even if not immediate that weekend. Again, as an outsider, it looks to me like they pulled the proverbial "I'll take my ball and go home if I can't make the rules" approach. I personally think they're charging every single penny the market will bear for the high perf stuff, and it would seem that more of an appreciative and supportive attitude would be in order.

This trend isn't actually new and it isn't unique to Merc, but it stinks just the same. I can remember spending my hard earned money in the 70's and early 80's to fly to/get a rental car in/get a hotel room in, a major race like St. Louis or Miami then find out that Merc or OMC or both were "boycotting" that year, acting like a bunch of spoiled brat kids over some petty politics. They both did it various years and it stunk then just like it stinks now.

[LaserModVee]

Originally posted by Raceman
Admittedly I've never been to an offshore race, but it's hard to think that there are more high perf Merc outboards at the average offshore than at Jasper.

Raceman,
I went to my first APBA Offshore race this year at Cleveland, which had a great turnout overall in raceboats. Guess what, the Mercury Racing semi truck was there. Like you said though, the only class that runs outboards are; Super Cat Light Outboard Triple, Super Cat Light Outboard Twin, and the lower budget Outlaw Performance classes, (excluding PX). There were maybe six to eight boats there with Mercury outboards hanging off of them.

So no, if you are an outboard fan, don't expect to see a Jasper turnout at an offshore race.

In Mercury's defense, the truck had tons of spare parts, props, and tools that they were using to fix racer's boats with throughout the weekend.

It seems like they are after the big dollar poker run crowd to me.

[Ally 1988]

I got tons of answers on this one. I just hope the manf. get this involved I really was not looking to buy a new Mercury or Yamaha or Bombadier its just that if they could show up at these events in the future with nothing more than to sell there hats shirts decals or tags. But if they want to get more involved with lets say engine support even better. Hey if this event was the best In Jasper in a long time then maybe all events will grow and they will come aboard. Shame on me for only making one event this year But due to the nature of the economy of late it has slowed me down but there is always next year.
I just hope our sport grows even more next year I hope all agree no matter what the color of your mota is.:D

Yes Im sure all Large companies struggled economically as well before someone jumps on that one.:(

[H2Onut]

THIS BOARD had alot to do with the Japer turnout, Thak goodness someone is promoting the sport and I maght add

DOING A DAMN GOOD JOB OF IT !

Who knows maybe MERC and omc will throw some $$$ at this website. talk about hitting a target audience!!!!!!!!!

Same day some clown at Merc Corp HQ or OMC HQ will have this site on their PC some marketing guy or someone with half a brain in the upper management chain wil say "WHAT WEB SITE IS THAT"


DUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUuuu

Come out of the cave !!

[KaptainKirk]

Mercury has supported his event for two years runnin.
Last year my Dad and I helped empty that trailer.
By the way this trailer that Balzy speaks of is not a big one.
I remember at independence iowa seeing a full semi-tractor trailer rig.
Also at Bakers firewater Merc. put on a prop class if I remember??

As for the owners club Balz.....I won't hold my breath!!!
How long has it been since the first firewater and Merc. claimed and even had Baker hand out surveys for a owners club ??
I have a copy of that survey inda basement in some old boating box.
I wasn't at Jasper.....but gonna try next year.
But hell Norscott is based right outa the town I boat out of......they couldn't tow that smaller trailer thats at Balz to da walz to Jasper???
Maybe one of you Amigos borrow the trailer from merc. pull it to barrington Il. load it up and bring it with ya!
I'll help load it :):):):):):)
Oh and maybe somebody should tell Norscott to get on dis here site and read this........They could sell that clothing,coozie stuff all out at ALL events.
My 2 cents.......Balzy not slammin ya ya right Merc. has been real supportive of both Firewater and Balz to the Walz....But the owners group??? been hearing about that for years!!

:(K.K.:(

[KaptainKirk]

supposedly the guys at Merc. do check this site daily.
But have been instructed not ta log in.
conflict of interest ??? or some bull****.

[H2Onut]

HEY MERC GUYS ?

I NEED A BAD ASS MOTOR< YOU SEE I GIVE THE JOHNNYS HELL
ALL THE TIME..... V-8 BLAH BLAH BLAH

GO READ THE PROPHET REVOLUTIONS THREAD THAT WILL SHOW YA! "MERCURY ROCKS"

ALL THIS AND I GET NOTHING IN RETURN ???????????

I NEED A NEW DRAG MOTOR FOR XMAS< YOU CAN LIKE DROP IT AND PUT A SCRATCH ON IT SO ITS NOW DAMAGED GOODS.

I WONT TELL N O B O D Y HOW I GOT IT, OR HOW BOT A 150 I WILL GO GET A SS BOAT AND RUN IT

PS... SEND DECALS, HAT, AND ESPECIALLY ONE OF THOSE TOO COOL FOR WORDS KEY FLOATS THAT LOOK LIKE A MERC OUTBOARD.

REMEMBER H 2 O N U T ........... Son of Mercury

JUST SEND ME AN EMAIL OR PM AND I WILL GIVE THE ADDRESS TO YOU OR I CAN COME GET IT IF NEED BE. WHATEVER IS EASIEST .


THANKS !!!!!!!!!!:D

[KaptainKirk]

LMAO