Harold Martin IHRA Pre Race Fact Sheet - San Antonio
Edition
Team ACDelco
IHRA Pre-Race Fact Sheet
Harold Martin, Owner/Driver
ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac Grand Am
Event: Fourth Annual Amalie Oil Texas Nationals, the opening event in
the 12-race,
2005 IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series.
Location: San Antonio Raceway
San Antonio, TX
Dates: April 1-2, 2005
1. 2004 - A Statement Race in San Antonio
One year ago, Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pontiac Grand Am Racing team
opened their 2004 Hooters Drag Racing campaign in dramatic fashion.
During Friday's qualifying sessions at San Antonio Raceway, a highly
unusual mechanical failure shot Martin's race car into the wall, causing
considerable damage and threatening their chances of competing in final
eliminations.
However, showing the resolve and determination that would be their
hallmark throughout the season, Martin and his crew worked through the
night to complete the repairs in time for Saturday's qualifying
attempts, earning a second-place starting position for the Amalie Oil
Texas Nationals with an impressive 6.218-second, 226.47 mph run.
The team's tireless efforts earned their final reward on Sunday, when
Martin powered his way to a runner-up finish, providing the springboard
for a career year. This weekend, Martin returns to the Lone Star State
ready to take a more conventional route to improve on that showing and
open the year with a win.
"Last year's performance in San Antonio was truly a reflection of this
ACDelco Racing team's resiliency and overall commitment to provide
persistence over resistance," said Martin. "We came into the season
with a lot of preparation, and felt that we had the right set-up.
Unfortunately, we had a brand-new axle stud fail, which led to a wheel
coming off. This had the potential to upset our ability to compete not
only at that event, but also throughout the entire year.
"We knew we were in trouble, but our determination never wavered. We
simply rolled up our sleeves and got to work. Being able to advance to
the final round under those circumstances showed that we would be a
force to contend with. This year, we look to take the final step into
the winner's circle, albeit with a little less drama."
2. ACDelco Crew Prepares for a Title Fight in 2005
Martin enters the 2005 season off a career year, which saw the talented
Michigan native score his first Pro Modified national event win,
establish new career bests in elapsed time and top speed, and finish a
career-best third in the championship standings. Realizing the
challenges that come with being established as one of the favorites for
this year's title, the entire Martin organization spent long hours
preparing for the road ahead.
"Being a serious contender for the championship brings a tremendous
amount of excitement, confidence and enthusiasm to the entire team,"
stated Martin. "At the same time, you accept that it makes you a
target, someone that every competitor will take very seriously, raising
their game to the highest level when they race you. This raises the bar
of our own expectancy, knowing that we will have to be at our best at
all times.
"The time away from the races has been a great example of our commitment
to expand our motorsports involvement. We spent an extensive amount of
time working with a number of NASCAR engine development teams as well as
teams in other motorsports, helping them to further their own programs,
attending a few of their races. It's been quite enlightening, although
very taxing, but we have been able to make some tangible gains.
"We've also acquired a brand new Grand Am, which we have tested
thoroughly under different conditions, as well as on racetracks where we
felt we could improve on our performance with the previous car. The
results of those tests have us both pumped and excited. For example,
just a few days ago, we ran a 6.150 at Rockingham, which was the
quickest of the Pro Mods there. We're ready to get the season started."
3. The EFI Wizard is also a Mentor
However, before Martin even takes to the track, he will have completed
another important assignment, speaking before a group of students
involved in ACDelco's Technical Service Educational Program (TSEP) at
St. Phillip's College in San Antonio. Throughout his career, Martin has
worked very hard to help others pursue their dreams, taking advantage of
every opportunity to speak to the next generation and encourage them to
never give up.
"To this point in the year, we have already had the opportunity to speak
in front of over 8,000 students at various venues," detailed Martin.
"This weekend, I'll have the great pleasure of returning to San Antonio,
not only to race, but to speak before a group of students at St.
Phillip's College. I look forward to pumping these young people up and
creating our successors. It promises to be a great start to a very
successful weekend in Texas for the entire ACDelco Grand Am Racing
team."
Harold Martin Fast Facts:
* Career best elapsed time: 6.183 seconds, Indianapolis, IN 9/04
* Career best top speed: 230.13 mph, Indianapolis, IN 9/04
* Won his first IHRA Pro Modified national event on July 4, 2004
at the Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
* Finished a career-best third in the 2004 Hooters Drag Racing
Series Pro Modified Championship Standings
* Nicknamed the "EFI Wizard" for his expertise 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:
Friday, April 1 - Two qualifying sessions at 1:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 2 - One qualifying sessions at 11:00 a.m., followed by
final eliminations starting at 4:00 p.m.
