The UIM has ruled that the ECU units fitted to the Mercury Racing 250 APX engines of Tobias Munthe-Kaas and Ian Blacker do not comply with UIM Rule 506.11, in a Technical Decision issued as Race Bulletin No. 1 for the Grand Prix of Vila Velha de Ródão, dated 25 September 2026.
The bulletin states that following a technical review by UIM Officials, the ECU units currently fitted cannot be accepted for use during the event on 26 and 27 September. Both competitors and their teams are required to replace the units with equipment that complies with the applicable UIM Technical Regulations before taking part in any official practice session, qualifying session, or race.
The decision, issued by UIM Officials, states explicitly that it “applies solely to the compliance of the equipment and should not be interpreted as a finding of misconduct by the competitors or their teams,” and takes effect immediately.
It follows a technical protest lodged by Peter Morin’s team against Munthe-Kaas over ECU eligibility at Peso da Régua the previous weekend, a protest that was not upheld at the time, but which allowed Peter Morin to take part in Q3 pending the hearing. Munthe-Kaas went on to win that round, with Blacker finishing second, the first win and podium for the Mercury 250 APX in UIM F2 competition.
Both drivers are among six still mathematically able to win the 2026 title heading into the season finale.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
