IHRA Harold Martin Edmonton Pre Race: Martin is Prepared and Excited to Return to Edmonton

Contact: Jon G. Knapp

 
TMG Sports Marketing 

 
Phone: (704) 662-3121

 
jgknapp@tmgsports.net

Team ACDelco

IHRA Race Preview

Harold Martin, Owner/Driver

ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac


 

Event:   IHRA Cars RV & Marine & Motorsports Rocky Mountain Nationals

Location:  Castrol Raceway

       Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Dates:  June 23-25, 2006

 

Harold Martin is Prepared and Excited to Return to Edmonton

 

Throughout the course of their careers, race car drivers compete on
numerous tracks across the country, the continent, and sometimes even
the world.  During that time, they will develop an affinity for a select
few facilities.  This choice may be made based on such factors as its
proximity to their home town or record of past success.

 

The newly-renamed Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta is such a place
for Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac Racing team.
Even though it has only been a part of the IHRA's eMax Drag Racing
Series for three years, the western Canadian quarter-mile has earned a
permanent place in the Martin Motorsports crew collective hearts as, in
2004, it was the site of their first IHRA national event win.  

 

"Edmonton has some great memories for the ACDelco Racing team," said
Martin.  "Obviously, the big win is something that we'll carry forever,
as well as the track record that we set there in 2004.   From an
engineering standpoint, it's a great pleasure to have gone there
initially five or six years ago without a set-up to then find the right
combination and perform historically as well as we have over the years
there.   The atmosphere is a very challenging one for finding the proper
set-up, but we have good notes based on our previous successes there,
which we hope to use to our benefit once again this weekend."

 

As they return to the Alberta province for this year's edition of the
Cars RV & Marine &  Motorsports Rocky Mountain Nationals, Martin and his
Michigan-based team will look to duplicate that performance from two
years ago.  However, they realize that in order to put themselves in
contention for that second Edmonton win, they must cover every detail in
getting ready for the event and prepare for every consequence that will
develop throughout the course of the event.  It is a challenge the "EFI
Wizard" is confident they are ready to take on this weekend.

 

"As we look forward to the race, we see a three-step strategy," detailed
Martin.  "The first step is to implement the set-up that has
historically worked best for us in that atmosphere.  The second is to
adjust to whatever changes have been made since the last time we were
successful there, while the third and final element is to protect
against and remove any of the gremlins that have plagued us this year.  

 

"Much like the last race in Grand Bend, our ACDelco Pontiac crew will
head to Edmonton having tested extensively, hoping to have eliminated
any problems we have encountered in the past, and are now just hoping to
have a little racing luck go our way."

 

Finally, Martin has another incentive for winning this weekend, as it
would offer the perfect opportunity to recognize the one person who has
been the driving force in his life both on and off the track - his
father, Huston, a well-respected and accomplished racer in his own
right.  After all, an IHRA "Iron Man" would be the perfect, although
slightly belated, Father's Day gift.

 

"There would be nothing more special than to win one for my father,"
stated Martin.  "If there is one person that truly appreciates the
challenges of racing and our program, it is my dad.  He understands how
difficult this is, and through it all, his support has never wavered.  I
look up during the late hours in the shop, and I see him cheering me on
as we burn the midnight oil.  There would be nothing better this
weekend, one week after Father's Day, than to reward him, as well as all
the other dads who are supporting us in our racing efforts."

 

Notes on Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pontiac Racing Team entering

the Cars RV & Marine & Motorsports Rocky Mountain Nationals:

 

Edmonton has been Martin's Kind of Place:  In the last three years,
Harold has two top six starts at Castrol Raceway, a win in 2004 and a
semifinal finish at the inaugural race.

 

One Year Ago:  Harold qualified sixth at the Cars RV & Marine &
Motorsports Rocky Mountain Nationals with a 6.255-second elapsed time
and 226.51 mph top speed, but was upset in the first round.

 

Event Schedule: 

 

            Qualifying:

                        Friday, June 23:          Two rounds at 4:00 &
7:30 p.m.

                        Saturday, June 24:      Two rounds at 4:00 &
7:30 p.m.

 

            Final Eliminations:

                        Sunday, June 25:                    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, July 8:                     4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
(Speed Channel)

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