Vale Scott Browne

Scott Browne competing at the 2012 Southern 80 © Mercury Marine

Scott Browne © Mercury Marine

It's with true sadness and deep regret that we mark the sudden and unexpected death of our colleague Scott Browne.

As Mercury's Regional Service Manager (Victoria & Tasmania) and Service Manager Racing (Australia, New Zealand, Pacific) he was known to many in the Mercury team, both in Australia and New Zealand.

And given the man he was - energetic, knowledgeable, passionate - he had a positive effect on each and every one of us.

Of course, he left an even greater impact on Australia's ski racing fraternity. As a skier, a mechanic, a driver, a record holder, a winner and fervent supporter, his death has left a hole which can't be filled.

When Scott joined Mercury Marine he brought with him two great loves - spending time on the water and working with engines.

It's what made him so good at his job. He had the knowledge to answer questions and the passion to ask them. He'd solve a problem and then just have a chat about... whatever.

An expert mechanic, fully trained on race engines and with plenty of experience working in a dealership, Scott knew the business from all sides.

His racing career started way back in 1994 with his two brothers Paul and Craig.

His achievements are too many to list, but some of the highlights will clearly show the legacy he leaves.

With a six-litre engine Scott built, the trio's first race was the Robinvale 80 in 1994. Their boat The Sting caught fire after five minutes but the three persisted and with Scott doubling as team mechanic and number one skier they ended up holding all three Victorian river records in their class.

Indeed, the record they set at the 2001 Mildura 100 race stood for the next 10 years.

Scott's next boat Quicksilver wasn't just quick, it was revolutionary. The 1850 Bullet was powered by a triple rotor 20B rotary engine fitted with a turbo charger which sparked more than one heated debate as it regularly hit speeds of 160 km/h.

As a skier, Scott won the Southern 80 in 2001 and 2002, collected victories at the Mildura 100 in 2002 and 2003, and went on to win at Robinvale in 2004.

Hanging up the skis, Scott continued to build boats and drive them - among the high points were titles at Murray Bridge in 2008 and Robinvale in 2012.

But Scott's involvement and enthusiasm went well beyond pure racing.

He once skied behind a 29ft Scarab to Port Phillip heads... from Tasmania.

He claimed a silver medal at the Catalina ski race off Longbeach, California.

He generously donated his Haines Hunter when he heard Mercury wanted to form an all-female ski race team.

Scott was an amazing family man, friend and colleague, who passed away following his passions.

He will be sadly missed by all of us who knew him at Mercury, and our most heartfelt sympathy goes to his family.