ACDelco Drag Racer Harold Martin Conducts Clinic At Black Sunday

ST. LOUIS, MO September 17, 2004; Pro Modified drag racer Harold Martin will conduct a motorsports clinic at the United Black Drag Racers Association Black Sunday event to be held at the Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Ill, Sept. 17-19. A respected automotive engineer and International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) competitor, Martin recently became the first African-American to claim a drag racing win in an IHRA professional category at the Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ACDelco sponsors Martin and his ACDelco Racing team, with additional support from GM Racing.

The clinic will provide advice to individuals looking to enter into motorsports, define a few key elements to obtaining corporate sponsors and demonstrate what Harold Martin and his ACDelco Racing team does to his car to prepare for a race. In addition to giving a clinic, he will sign autographs, hand out ACDelco racing merchandise and personally tune five cars of racers attending the event.

This event, open to racers of all nationalities, is attended by individuals representing states all over the country, including, California, Hawaii, New York, Michigan and Illinois.

"The people who attend this event are 'real car guys with unique lifestyles reflected in the type of products they put on their vehicle," said Scott Mackie, executive director - ACDelco. "Because motorsports has such appeal to all markets, and ACDelco provides premium parts for all makes and models, this is a great association for our brand, and for our customers. We are proud to support Harold Martin in the clinic and on the track."

Although he will not compete at Black Sunday, Martin will bring his full race day set up to St. Louis, including his ACDelco Pro Modified Grand Am and transporter.

On his way to a permanent place in IHRA history at Edmonton's Budweiser Motorsports Park, Martin powered his Pontiac Grand Am past defending Pro Mod champion Mitch Stott in the second round with a track-record elapsed time of 6.223 seconds and a speed of 225.33 mph. In the final round showdown against No. 1 qualifier Rick DiStefano, Martin overcame severe tire shake to power himself to a 6.818-seconds ET and a 214.18 mph win.

"It's a great feeling to get that first win," Martin said. "I wasn't told until after the event was finished that I was the first African-American to win an international drag racing event, so that made our first victory even more special. Having the power of ACDelco behind me helps give me confidence that I can keep on winning."

Martin brings more to motorsports than a hot shoe on the accelerator. Prior to his quarter-mile triumph in Edmonton, Martin scored another motorsport first by introducing electronic fuel ignition to Pro Modified drag racing.

A former General Motors automotive development engineer for more than 10 years, Martin holds 10 worldwide automotive patents. He also has executed several powertrain programs that led to the development of the first automotive computer control system.

When he entered the world of motorsports as a contender, Martin said that it was difficult for an unproven driver and team owner to procure the necessary equipment. So he formed Martin Motorsports. "We knew we couldn't get the engines we needed to be competitive because we were unproven, so we took it upon ourselves to build our own," he explained.

"Ever since I was a young man, I set high goals for myself," Martin said. "I always aimed to achieve tangible results whether it was developing systems for cars on the road or on the racetrack - a key reason why I sought ACDelco as a sponsor. It's pretty exciting to have played a part in these historic accomplishments. My track records may be beaten some day, but the fact that I am the first African-American to win a major drag racing event is history that can never be changed."