Dec 18, 2006

Mercury and MotorGuide institute bonus and contingency programs
for Bassmaster Weekend Series

FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Mercury and MotorGuide will offer bonus and contingency programs in 2007 for anglers fishing the Bassmaster Weekend Series. The potential total prize money from Mercury and MotorGuide is more than $375,000.

 The Bassmaster Weekend Series is a professionally run grass-roots bass fishing circuit operated by American Bass Anglers. The 2007 schedule consists of 100 one-day tournaments, 25 division championships and a national championship. The national champion qualifies for the Bassmaster Classic, considered the “Super Bowl” of fishing.
      Mercury will award a $1,000 bonus to the winning boater in each Bassmaster Weekend Series Divisional Tournament and a bonus of $1,000 to each division champion, provided the winner’s boat is equipped with a 2005 or later model year Mercury outboard engine. The acceptable engine power range is 115-250 hp, excluding Mercury Racing and Mercruiser engines.
      MotorGuide will award a $500 bonus to the winning boater in each Bassmaster Weekend Series Divisional Tournament and a bonus of $500 in each division championship, provided the winner’s boat is equipped with a 2004 or later model year MotorGuide trolling motor that was purchased on or after July 1, 2004.
      In addition to the bonus program, Mercury and MotorGuide have established a contingency program for the national championship. The program will award bonuses to all qualifying participants who finish in the top 50 spots.
      To earn a Mercury National Championship contingency bonus, anglers must be the original registered Mercury owner/first purchaser, and must have purchased a 2005 or later model year Mercury outboard engine. The acceptable engine power range is 115-250 hp. Mercury Racing and MerCruiser engines are also excluded from this program.
      To earn a MotorGuide National Championship contingency bonus, MotorGuide owners must be the original registered owner/first purchaser and the winner’s boat must be equipped with a 2004 or later model year MotorGuide trolling motor that was purchased on or after July 1, 2004.
      “Mercury would like to recognize and acknowledge the grass-roots anglers,” said Michelle Kilburn, manager of Freshwater Tournaments and Events. “This is the first time we have offered such a program. We hope this helps provide evidence of Mercury's continued support for competitive angling, our loyal customers and help attract new customers.”
      The Mercury National Championship Contingency Program is equally open to boaters and non-boaters. The division bonus program is open to qualifying boaters only. Participants must provide proof of ownership to the tournament organizer on or before the tournament registration and must use their engines or trolling motors for the tournament. The 2007 tournament schedule is available at www.abaproam.com.
      Mercury Marine is the world’s leading manufacturer of recreational marine propulsion engines. A $2.3 billion division of Brunswick Corporation
(NYSE: BC), Mercury and its 6,400 employees worldwide provide engines, boats, services and parts for recreational, commercial and government marine applications. Mercury’s industry-leading brand portfolio includes Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Mercury and Teignbridge propellers; MotoTron electronic controls; Mercury inflatable boats; Mercury SmartCraft electronics; and Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils. In 2006, Mercury Marine’s OptiMax engine was ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Two-Stroke Outboard Engines" by J.D. Power and Associates, and Mercury MerCruiser engines were ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Sterndrive Engines." More information is available at www.mercurymarine.com.