Records tumble as temperatures sizzle at the Southern 80

by Matthew Ng on 17 Feb 2009
Evinrude E-TEC have picked up where they left off at the end of the 2008, dominating the SMOC and MOC divisions at the 2009 Southern 80. Grabbing a double podium finish and setting new race records in SMOC and MOC classes, Evinrude proved once again they are on top of the Australian racing circuit.

Team Evinrude Racing, driven by Tony Rowe and skied by Troy Arlow and Gary Croft, finished first in the SMOC Expert class with a time of 40 minutes 46 seconds. Powered by the class leading Evinrude E-TEC 250HO Tony Row said after the race, 'The torque of of the big block Evinrude allows higher corner speeds, and in a race with 126 bends was the reason we won. Its one of the most challenging races on the calendar, so we are extremely happy to come out on top with a win.'

Last year's winner, Stalker Evinrude (1st) again led a double podium finish, along with Team Evinrude (2nd) in the SMOC Social class, breaking the existing race record. Driven by Brad Groves, and skied by Michael Merchant and William Groves, Stalker Evinrude finished with a time of 39 minutes and 46 seconds. Following in second was Team Evinrude (42 minutes and 31 seconds) driven by David Armstrong with skiers Reece Middlemiss and BRP's Paul Armstrong doing the job out back.

In the MOC Social class, Evinrude powered Barely Legal also finished with line honours and broke the existing race record with a time of 38 minutes and 49 seconds. A congratulations should also go out to six year old, Dani Altham, who for the second year in a row has been the youngest ski racing competitor. She competed in the Under 10's Tadpole division behind Tony Rowe's Evinrude Racing.

Finally our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and victims of the Victorian bushfires over the weekend of the 2009 Southern 80 which saw temperatures reach in excess of 50 degrees. The decision was made on Sunday at 1.15pm to cancel competition which saw many of the classes unable to race due to emergency workers and paramedics being called to help with the worst bushfires in Australia's history.

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP), a privately-held company, is a world leader in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of motorized recreational vehicles. Its portfolio of brands and products includes: Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft and sport boats, Evinrude and Johnson outboard engines, direct injection technologies such as Evinrude E-TEC, Can-Am all-terrain vehicles and roadsters, and Rotax engines and karts.

Ski-Doo, Lynx, Sea-Doo, Evinrude, Johnson, Can-Am, Rotax, E-TEC, RXPx, GTI and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affiliates.

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