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POWERBOAT NATIONALS WILL HOST THE APX200 SERIES WITH THE MERCURY RACING APX 200 COMPETITION OUTBOARD  03-1-2023
 
For 2023, Powerboat Nationals will conduct a Tunnel Boat Series of races, in the United States that will only allow the Mercury Racing 200 APX competition outboard motor to compete in them. Up to this point, the Powerboat Nationals "Grand Prix" style of events hosted in the U.S.A., have only allowed the carbureted 2 stoke Mercury V6 motor. "The 2 stoke motor is on it's way out and the new style of Mercury 4 stoke motors is on it's way in and we need to embrace it" states Managing Director, Dan Bunting of Powerboat Nationals "We have gone too long with unreliable and outdated technology, now is time for the future of boat racing with the new Mercury APX200" Bunting, continued by saying "We look forward to the Mercury 4 Stroke APX60 Series class in 2024!"

MERCURY RACING APX 200 COMPETITION OUTBOARD POWERS F2 BRITISH CHAMPION   10-21-2022
 
A Mercury Racing 200 APX competition outboard powered Ben Jelf to the 2022 Circuit Powerboat Association F2 British Championship on Oct. 9 at Stewartby Lake in the Forest Of Marston Vale in Bedfordshire. It marks the first circuit racing title won with low-emissions four-stroke Mercury Racing APX power.
“We sat down at the beginning of the season and took a bit of a gamble on the new Mercury 200 APX engine,” said Jelf. “It's not been raced here in the UK or even Europe so we knew there would be a lot of work to get the best from it. The development is still ongoing but to have secured the British Championship in its first season and for me to get the title in my first F2 season is a fantastic achievement for the whole team.”
The championship marked a successful inaugural F2 British Championship campaign for Jelf, who has previously won 15th British Powerboat Racing Championship titles in other classes. The 22-year-old Jelf began racing at 9 years old with a title in the premier F2 Championship in his sights – and in his DNA. His father, Colin Jelf, is a three-time World Champion in the class, and his uncle Owen Jelf is also competing on the international circuit.
The 3.4-liter Mercury Racing 200 APX outboard was designed to replace the Mercury Racing 200XS OptiMax and older two-stroke V6 outboards and is the first V6 four-stroke competition outboard produced by Mercury Racing. The 200 APX weighs only 30 pounds more than the two-stroke motors, and offers a huge advantage in reduced exhaust emissions, maintenance, and tuning costs.
The Jelf team decided to race the 200 APX and develop the boat and setup for Ben as he embarked on his F2 Racing career. Jelf took first and third place in the first two rounds of the championship to lead the standings heading into the final weekend. Following four races over the course of the weekend, each a fierce battle with Steve Hoult, Jelf finished second at the event but scored enough points to win the season title.

MERCURY RACING INTRODUCES 200 APX COMPETITION OUTBOARD   03-07-2022
 
Mercury Racing expands its Apex Series of competition outboards with the introduction of the Mercury Racing 200 APX, a V6 four-stroke model designed for UIM F2 and APBA OPC tunnel boat racing. Rated at more than 200 horsepower, the 200 APX outboard offers racers a very durable powerhead and the latest in four-stroke engine technology, while reducing exhaust emissions by 90 percent compared to the Mercury Racing 200 XS two-stroke outboard currently in use in these classes, which is no longer in production. The Mercury Racing 200 APX will be available in May, 2021, only to qualified racing teams. 

 

“The new 200 APX is designed to deliver outstanding performance while reducing the cost of maintenance and fuel for F2 and OPC race teams, many of which are amateurs,” said Stuart Halley, Mercury Racing general manager. “Mercury Racing is also striving to produce high-performance and competition engines that keep emissions to a minimum, and the 200 APX helps push that effort forward.”

 

On both the UIM F2 and APBA OPC circuits, racers compete carbon fiber tunnel boats about 16 feet (4.8 meters) long and weighing as little as 1,130 pounds (513 kg) including the engine and driver. The F2 boats raced in Europe are capable of a top speed approaching 120 mph (190 kph), and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 5 seconds. Up to 20 boats tear around a two-pin course together, dodging spray and wakes in a thrilling show for fans viewing in person and remotely.

 

The 200 APX is the first V6 four-stroke outboard produced by Mercury Racing. The powerhead is based on the Mercury Marine 3.4-liter double overhead cam/four-valve powerhead with a 64 degree cylinder angle. To prepare the engine for competition, Mercury Racing raises the compression ratio from 10:1 to 11:1, increases peak RPM from 5800 to 6800, and fits a lightweight carbon fiber cowl that incorporates forced cold air induction. A lightweight flywheel allows the engine to rev more quickly than the stock motor. The engine requires 91-octane (98 RON w/ E10 max) pump gasoline fuel. The 200 APX retains a digital throttle control, and is equipped with a 24-volt starting system.

 

The 200 APX uses the same robust 12-inch midsection as the Mercury Racing 360 APX V8 competition outboard, with a structural wet sump driveshaft housing and integrated power trim and lift with remote pumps. To increase propeller speed to match that of the 8000-RPM two-stroke racing outboard presently used in F2 and OPC, an overdrive spur gearset increases the input shaft speed to the gearcase, and produces the desired left-hand propeller rotation.

 

“The 200 APX produces about 20 percent more torque than the two-stroke motor, but at a lower RPM,” said Mercury Racing Director of Engineering Jeff Broman. “With the overdrive gearset we can swap some of that torque to increase propeller RPM, which allows most teams the opportunity to use the same propellers they have been fitting to the two-stroke motor, a big cost savings for the race teams.”

 

An evolved version of the Mercury Racing Super Speed Master (IV SSM) outboard gearcase is direct-drive with no neutral or reverse shifting. Above-water exhaust offers unrestricted flow and produces an exciting tone for racing fans. The motor is equipped with integrated, light-weight steering arms for tunnel boat cable steering. The top cowl features robust latching and sealing systems, while the carbon fiber driveshaft cover has quick-release fasteners to ease access to the midsection.

 

Mercury Racing 10W-30 MRX engine oil, a new high-performance full-synthetic lubricant, was engineered alongside the Mercury Racing 200 APX outboard and specifically formulated to withstand the extreme heat and stress the engine will encounter during tunnel boat competition.

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MERCURY RACING 200 APX OUTBOARD APPROVED FOR OPC FORMULA F200 CLASS RACING   07-01-2022
 

American outboard circuit racing took a step towards the future with the recent approval and homologation by the American Power Boat Association of Mercury Racing Apex Series four-stroke outboards for Outboard Performance Class (OPC) competition. For the 2022 racing season, the Mercury Racing 200 APX motor has been approved for the OPC Formula 200 tunnel boat class, and the Mercury Racing 360 APX is approved for the OPC Mod U class. The announcement was made by Sherron Winer, OPC Category Chair, following the January 28 APBA annual meeting. 

“Mercury Racing is excited to bring a new level of technology and sustainability to OPC racing,” said Stuart Halley, Mercury Racing general manager. “These outboards will offer fans a thrilling show and racers outstanding performance with a significant reduction in tuning and maintenance expense, all with a reduction in exhaust emissions that benefits everyone.” 

The APBA is the United States sanctioning authority for the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the world governing body for powerboat racing. The Mercury Racing 200 APX and 360 APX outboards are also approved for competition outside the United States in the UIM F2 and F1 classes respectively. 

The Mercury Racing 200 APX outboard was designed to replace the Mercury Racing 200XS OptiMax and older two-stroke V6 outboards currently raced in the OPC Formula 200 class and is the first V6 four-stroke competition outboard produced by Mercury Racing. The two-stroke outboard models are no longer in production. 

“The two-stroke outboards will remain eligible for Formula 200,” said Winer. “Racers are often resistant to change, and we anticipate there will be a gradual transition to the new four-stroke outboards. The truth is that the two-stroke outboards have almost become vintage equipment, and it’s time to make a move towards a sustainable future. We are delighted that Mercury Racing is offering our racers this new outboard technology.” 

A Mercury Marine 3.4-liter double overhead cam/four-valve powerhead with a 64 degree cylinder angle is the foundation of the Mercury Racing 200 APX outboard. The 360 APX outboard is based on a modified version of the Mercury Racing 300R 4.6-liter V8 powerhead. To prepare these engines for competition, Mercury Racing raises the compression ratio from 10:1 to 11:1, increases peak RPM, and fits a lightweight carbon fiber cowl that incorporates forced cold air induction. A robust 12-inch midsection features a structural wet sump driveshaft housing and integrated power trim and lift with remote pumps. To increase propeller speed to match that of two-stroke racing outboards an overdrive spur gearset increases the input shaft speed to the gearcase, and produces the desired left-hand propeller rotation. The engines do not require expensive high-octane racing fuel; both make full power on 91-octane (98 RON w/ E10 max) pump gasoline. 

“Ultimately the performance of the 200 APX outboard will be proven on the course,” said APBA President Chris Fairchild, a multi-time tunnel boat champion who served as a consultant and test driver to Mercury Racing during development of the Apex Series outboards. “Our current Formula 200 champ, R.J. West, has conducted back-to-back testing of his current two-stroke rig and the 200 APX and I think he came away impressed. The racers will need some seat time to adjust to the torque curve of the four-stroke engine, but these new outboards offer so many advantages I think most teams will be ready to make the change. The 200 APX weighs only 30 pounds more than the two-stroke motors, and offers a huge advantage in reduced maintenance and tuning costs. Most teams are frequently replacing two-stroke pistons and reed valves and it’s become hard to find parts for the older carbureted motors. We put more than 60 hours of high-speed testing on the Apex motor and its last lap was faster than the first. Most teams are going to race a 200 APX for an entire season and will only need to change the oil.” 

Mercury Racing 200 APX and 360 APX outboards are available for order now by qualified racing teams.

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MERCURY RACING INTRODUCES APX 200 COMPETITION OUTBOARD   03-07-2022
 
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (April 19, 2021) –Mercury Racing expands its Apex Series of competition outboards with the introduction of the Mercury Racing 200 APX, a V6 four-stroke model designed for UIM F2 and APBA OPC tunnel boat racing. Rated at more than 200 horsepower, the 200 APX outboard offers racers a very durable powerhead and the latest in four-stroke engine technology, while reducing exhaust emissions by 90 percent compared to the Mercury Racing 200 XS two-stroke outboard currently in use in these classes, which is no longer in production. The Mercury Racing 200 APX will be available in May, 2021, only to qualified racing teams.
“The new 200 APX is designed to deliver outstanding performance while reducing the cost of maintenance and fuel for race teams” said Stuart Halley, Mercury Racing general manager. “Mercury Racing is also striving to produce high-performance and competition engines that keep emissions to a minimum, and the 200 APX helps push that effort forward.
”On both the UIM F2 and APBA OPC circuits, racers compete using carbon fiber tunnel boats about 16 feet (4.8 meters) long and weighing just over 1100 pounds (510kg) including the engine and driver. The F2 boats raced in Europe are capable of a top speed approaching 120 mph (190 kph) and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 5 seconds. Up to 20 boats tear around a course together, dodging spray and wakes in a thrilling show for fans viewing in person and remotely.
The 200 APX is the first V6 four-stroke outboard produced by Mercury Racing. The powerhead is based on the Mercury Marine 3.4-liter double overhead cam/four-valve powerhead with a 64-degreecylinderangle. To prepare the engine for competition, Mercury Racing raises the compression ratio from 10:1 to 11:1, increases peak RPM from 5800 to 6800, and fits a lightweight carbon fiber cowl that incorporates forced cold air induction. A lightweight flywheel allows the engine to rev more quickly than the stock motor. The engine requires readily available91-octane (98 RON w/ E10 max) pump gasoline fuel. The 200 APX retains a digital throttle control and is equipped with a 24-volt starting system.
The 200 APX uses the same robust 12-inch midsection as the Mercury Racing 360 APX V8 competition outboard, with a structural wet sump driveshaft housing and integrated power trim and lift with remote pumps. To increase propeller speed to match that of the 8000-RPM two-stroke racing outboard presently used in F2 and OPC, an overdrive spur gearset increases the input shaft speed to the gearcase and produces the desired left-hand propeller rotation. “The 200 APX produces about 20 percent more torque than the two-stroke motor, but at a lower RPM,” said Mercury Racing Director of Engineering Jeff Broman. “With the overdrive gearset we can swap some of that torque to increase propeller RPM, which allows most teams the opportunity to use the same propellers they have been fitting to the two-stroke motor, a big cost savings for the race teams.
”An evolved version of the Mercury Racing Super Speed Master (IV SSM) outboard gearcase is direct-drive with no neutral or reverse shifting. Above-water exhaust offers unrestricted flow and produces an exciting tone for racing fans. The motor is equipped with integrated, light-weight steering arms for tunnel boat cable steering. The top cowl features robust latching and sealing systems, while the carbon fiber driveshaft cover has quick-release fasteners to ease access to the midsection.
Mercury Racing 10W-30 MRX engine oil, a new high-performance full-synthetic lubricant, was engineered alongside the Mercury Racing 200 APX outboard and specifically formulated to withstand the extreme heat and stress the engine will encounter during tunnel boat competition.
The Mercury Racing 200 APX will be available in May 2021, only to qualified racing teams.
 

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