IHRA Pre Race: Harold Martin Looks to Reward Sponsor with
ACDelco Canadian Nationals Win
Contact: Jon G. Knapp
TMG Sports Marketing
Phone: (704) 662-3121
jgknapp@tmgsports.net
Team ACDelco
IHRA Pre-Race Fact Sheet
Harold Martin
Owner/Driver
ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac Grand Am
Event: Third Annual IHRA ACDelco Canadian Nationals, the seventh event of the 12-race,
2004 IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series.
Location: Toronto Motorsports Park
Cayuga, Ontario, Canada
Dates: July 30 - August 1, 2004
Harold Martin Looks to Reward Sponsor with ACDelco Canadian Nationals Win
This weekend's ACDelco Canadian Nationals mark the beginning of the second half of the 2004 Hooters Drag Racing season, and, for the first time in his career, Harold Martin will arrive at Toronto Motorsports Park as the leader in the IHRA Pro Modified championship standings.
In the first six races, Martin and his talented ACDelco Pontiac Grand Am Racing crew have been the model of consistency, qualifying near the top of the field and in contention for the win at almost every event. With two career-best top speeds, three final rounds, and one very emotional victory in Edmonton, Alberta, Martin has already achieved many of the goals set at the start of the year.
However, even with this tremendous success, Martin will be the first to admit that his team's work has just begun. This weekend, they will look to add another line to their growing list of achievements by reaching the winner's circle at their sponsor's race.
"We're pumped and excited to have the opportunity to score a big win for ACDelco at their race," said Martin. "We have the momentum to potentially do that, coming off a great first half of the season, as well as our track record in the Canadian races.
"This will be the ACDelco Pro Mod Grand Am's third event in Canada this year, and we've had final round appearances and one win in the first two. We're looking to continue that positive trend this weekend. In fact, our success has me checking my roots for some evidence of Canadian citizenship."
Martin's confidence is further buoyed by the tremendous effort put forth by his team. Reflecting Martin's guidance, Crew Chief Butch Peterson and the rest of the ACDelco team have never wavered, responding to every challenge since the season-opening event in San Antonio, TX, a performance that has established them as the team to beat.
"We're very pleased with our ACDelco team's performance," said Martin. "You set your goals high, and see indications from areas such as your engine development program on the dyno and during testing at the race track, but what you do at a race event is what really matters. It's a great feeling when you have those efforts come forward to where you are leading the points as we are.
"It's also a tremendous feeling to come to your sponsor's race in the points lead. This is the first time we have been able to do that, and as great as it is to be showcased at your sponsor's race, it is even better to be featured as the points leader at the ACDelco Canadian Nationals."
Another source of pride in Martin's success comes from the use of his own revolutionary EFI system in his race car, which is rapidly being acknowledged as the technology of the future.
"Our phone has been ringing hard with racers from many series looking for synergistic ways to benefit from our accomplishments, which is pleasing, but becomes a bit of a juggling act," stated Martin. "With the success that we have had, our greatest challenge is to remain focused and continue this journey, while balancing a core business that does sell customer services. However, we have no immediate plans to sell our current technology to a competitive base. It is a great feeling to have our efforts recognized."
A key component in Martin's performance in 2004 has been the ACDelco crew's ability to match their race car's performance to the racing surface. That challenge will arise again this weekend as the Pro Mods take to the Toronto Motorsports Park track.
"I haven't seen or heard very much about the Cayuga track since we raced there a year ago," said Martin. "Back then, there were issues in both lanes at the 900 to 1000-foot mark that created unusual driving challenges.
"However, we return better prepared, with a more refined race car, which should hopefully minimize the impact of any such problems on the racing surface. Additionally, we've been told that the track will have a much smoother terrain consistent with the other IHRA tracks we race on. In any case, the ACDelco crew will be ready to race the race track, something we've done quite well throughout the season."
Finally, Martin looks forward to hopefully ending the weekend with the ACDelco Pontiac Grand Am in the winner's circle, which will allow him to celebrate with those who support his efforts, including one important person who has a long history at the venerable Canadian quarter-mile.
"It would be great feeling to win the ACDelco Canadian Nationals," declared Martin. "Not only would it be another great piece to put in our history book, having won our sponsor's race, but it would be an important accomplishment to share with my good friend and General Manager for ACDelco, Scott Mackie, who is a native of the Toronto area. To win on his home track would be tremendous, and we will do everything we can to accomplish it."
Harold Martin Fast Facts:
* Career best elapsed time: 6.190 seconds, Rockingham, NC 10/03
* Career best top speed: 227.15 mph, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 7/04
* Won his first IHRA Pro Modified national event on July 4, 2004 at the Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
* Currently leads in the Hooters Drag Racing Series Pro Modified Championship Standings
* Harold finished fifth in the 2003 IHRA Championship Standings, his first career Top Five finish
* Nicknamed the "EFI Wizard" for his expertise in with electronic fuel injection, including the revolutionary system in his ACDelco Pro Mod Grand Am, which he designed.
* Former GM engineer and holder of 10 worldwide patents
Event Schedule:
Qualifying - Friday, July 30 - Single session at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 31 - Two sessions at 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.
Final Eliminations - Sunday, August 1 - First Round at 11:00 a.m.
TV Schedule:
Saturday, September 4 - 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - pee Channel # # #
