IHRA Harold Martin Saturday Update: Martin Will Roll Off 14th at "The Rock"

Team ACDelco

IHRA Qualifying Wrap Sheet

Harold Martin, Owner/Driver

ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac Grand Am


 

Event:  Tenth Annual Udderly Smooth World Finals.

Location:  Rockingham Dragway

       Rockingham, NC

Dates:  October 29, 2005

 

Martin Will Roll Off 14th at "The Rock"

 

Racers returning to Rockingham Dragway for the rescheduled Udderly
Smooth World Finals encountered weather conditions that severely tested
those tuning the 230-mph Pro Mods.  Although the unseasonably cool
temperatures were ideal for making horsepower, the resulting reduction
in track temperature put traction at a premium.  Further adding to the
challenge was the fact that the atmospheric conditions were different
for each of the three qualifying sessions.

 

Fortunately, Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pontiac Racing team were
among those who were able to solve the high-speed puzzle.  On his second
attempt on Saturday afternoon, Martin posted a solid 6.215 second
elapsed time with a top speed of 225.15 mph, earning the fourteenth
starting position for Sunday's final eliminations.

 

"Qualifying under these conditions put us in somewhat of a quandary.  We
just didn't know how long of a delay we would have in the staging lanes,
so we weren't sure whether we should leave the trailer loaded for bear
or with a set-up designed to get a data point on how to go down a tricky
racetrack.  

 

"Tonight the track was actually very good and could have taken a lot
more of our ACDelco Pontiac's horsepower, but our set-up was way too
soft.  As a result, we had excessive clutch slippage from one end to the
other.  

 

"However, the good news is that this ACDelco team is in the show.
Ironically, the conditions are forecast to be completely different for
eliminations with warmer temperatures.  Therefore, we will go back look
at our notes to be ready for whatever tomorrow brings, get our bullets
freshened up, and come out ready to have some fun."