IHRA Harold Martin Pre Race: Martin Ready to Wrap Up 2005
with Rockingham 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: 10th Annual IHRA World Finals,
the final event of the 12-race, 2005 IHRA Hooters Drag Racing Series.
Location: Rockingham Dragway
Rockingham, North Carolina
Dates: October 7-9, 2005
1. Harold Martin Ready to Wrap Up 2005 with Rockingham Win
ACDelco Pro Mod Pontiac pilot Harold Martin has had his share of
successes throughout the 2005 Hooters Drag Racing season. In July, he
recorded the first No. 1 qualifying position f his IHRA Pro Mod career
with a track-record 6.197-second pass at the Motor City Nationals in
Milan, MI. Martin used that stellar starting point at Milan Dragway to
power to the sixth final round of his career, just missing his second
career Pro Mod national event win. In addition, he is poised to score
his fourth consecutive Top Ten finish in the championship standings.
However, as the "EFI Wizard" is quick to point out as he arrives in the
Tar Heel state for this weekend's IHRA World Finals, there are still
opportunities to be maximized and work to be done. Therefore, any
discussion of prior accomplishments will have to wait, for just as it
has been for the prior eleven races, the team's focus will remain
squarely on the task ahead, as they look to put an exclamation point on
their season with a win.
"The ACDelco Pontiac Racing team will take a lot of highlights out of
2005," stated Martin. "We've run our career best time in the IHRA, as
well as winning our first Hooters Drag Racing Series pole. In addition,
we've developed some new technology that, even though it took us a
little time to really capture its direction on how to optimize it, we
sit well positioned and experienced for the future.
"We may not have had the season that we had set our goals towards
having, but we've learned a lot, and are really looking forward to
capitalizing on it. It has always been an integral part of our
management strategy that, in order to advance, we need to take risks and
work on new technology, which is what we have done throughout the
season. We have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge, which has us
ready to go forward and have great things happen.
"On that note, we can accomplish a tremendous amount with this last
race, and there would be nothing more special than to realizing a little
of that potential for the future with a win in Rockingham this weekend."
2. Armed with prior successes, Martin stands ready to tame The Rock
Located in the Sand Hills region of North Carolina, Rockingham Dragway
is one of the stalwarts of the Hooters Drag Racing Series. The only
facility to host two national events during the IHRA season, this
venerable speedplant has witnessed its share of drag racing history over
the years, making it a favorite among competitors and fans alike. In
addition, a win at "The Rock" has the added benefit of giving the team
momentum heading into the 2006 season.
Having scored a runner-up finish at this event in 2003, Martin has had a
North Carolina "Ironman" trophy in his sights on several occasions.
This year, he looks to complete the picture and take it home to the
team's Michigan headquarters.
"The off-season can be an extremely long time, and momentum is a large
variable that you want to carry in to it with both you and your team,"
said Martin. "We know the Rockingham racing surface well, including how
the weather influences it, and have been able to run extremely well
there. We have run as low as 6.15, as well as making numerous passes in
the 6.18 - 6.19 range, so we know we can perform well on that track.
"Therefore, the entire ACDelco Pontiac Racing team is really pumped and
looking forward to getting to 'The Rock.' Hopefully, we will have a
little racing luck on our side, and we can fully capitalize on our
performance potential with a win."
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
* Scored the first IHRA No. 1 qualifying position of his career on
July 16, 2005 with his 6.197-second pass at the Dukes of Hazzard Motor
City Nationals in Milan, MI.
* Reached the sixth final round of his career at the Dukes of
Hazzard Motor City Nationals in Milan, MI.
* 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, October 7 - One qualifying session at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 8 - Two qualifying sessions at 3:00 & 7:00
p.m.
Sunday, October 9 - First round of eliminations starts at
11:00 a.m.
TV Schedule:
Saturday, February 4, 2006 - 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Speed
Channel
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