IHRA Harold Martin Pre Race: Martin is Ready to Turn the
Corner in Grand Bend
Team ACDelco
IHRA Race Preview
Harold Martin, Owner/Driver
ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac
Event: IHRA Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol
Location: Grand Bend Motorplex
Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada
Dates: June 2-4, 2006
Harold Martin is Ready to Turn the Corner in Grand Bend
After a five-week layoff, the eMax Drag Racing Series returns to action
this weekend with the Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ontario.
However, even though there have been no International Hot Rod
Association (IHRA) national events since the Rockingham, NC race in late
April, Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac Racing team
have had little spare time.
A quick review of their schedule for the last month includes extensive
research and development work at their headquarters in New Hudson, MI
combined with on-track test sessions, as well as several sponsor
appearances, including the ACDelco High School Nationals in Norwalk,
Ohio. Confident that he and his Martin Motorsports crew have advanced
their program during this time, the "EFI Wizard" is cautiously
optimistic heading into the first Canadian race of the 2006 IHRA season.
"At no point in the last few weeks was there any time that we felt we
had a layoff," stated Martin. "From doing events on behalf of ACDelco
to working on our program at the shop and testing, this entire ACDelco
Pontiac crew has been extremely active. Although we believe we have a
good race car, we are constantly looking to elevate our performance
level. For example, we've been working on a new engine program that has
taken some time to complete, and we are now about 15 to 20 days away
from putting it on the dyno.
"With the toughness of the competition, you have to be aggressive and
bring your 'A' game on every run. You don't have to rotate the earth,
but you also can't leave a lot in the trailer. This is compounded even
further by the variables outside of your control, such as the weather or
the condition of the racing surface.
"It comes down to making sure you have done every single thing possible
to make your race program the best that it can be for the opportunity
available. Therefore, we have been working extremely hard to make our
program even better, getting ourselves prepared for whatever occurs."
The Martin crew's confidence is boosted even further by this event's
location. Over the course of the last few seasons, the Michigan racer
has excelled at races held north of the border, including his first IHRA
national event win in Edmonton and a final round appearance at the 2004
Grand Bend race. It is a trend he looks to continue this weekend.
"We've had a great history on the Canadian swing, and the entire crew
looks forward to racing there," said Martin. "Hopefully, it will be the
rub of fortune going our way that we can build on. We've worked hard
enough on every aspect of our racing for the timing to be right, and it
would be wonderful to have this weekend be the start of our turning the
corner.
"The Grand Bend race environment has been a good one for us. We know
the racing surface very well, with its location right off the lake
providing a good atmosphere. We've got some good notes from our
previous successes there, and know how to set up our car to best
maximize its performance for the conditions. It's something we look to
capitalize on this weekend.
"Looking at the forecast, it appears it will remain cool with the
possibility of rain, which could potentially reduce the number of
qualifying sessions we will have. It may not be the perfect scenario,
but there is no quit in this ACDelco Pontiac race team. We'll go there
with the very best we have available and make an aggressive effort,
doing whatever we can to win."
Notes on Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pontiac Racing Team entering
the Canadian Nationals:
Martin has been solid in Grand Bend: In the last three years, Harold
has two top four starts at the Grand Bend Motorplex, and a runner-up
finish at the 2004 event.
One Year Ago: Harold qualified fourth at the Canadian Nationals with a
6.267-second elapsed time and 225.60 mph top speed, and advanced to the
quarter-finals.
Event Schedule:
Qualifying:
Friday, June 2: One round
at 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 3: Two rounds at 3:00 &
7:00 p.m.
Final Eliminations:
Sunday, June 4: First round
of eliminations at 11:00 a.m.
Pre-race ceremonies start at 12:15 p.m.
Quarter-finals at 12:30 p.m.
Semi-finals at 2:30 p.m.
Championship round at 4:30 p.m.
Television Schedule:
Saturday, June 24: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. (pee
Channel)
