IHRA Harold Martin Cayuga Pre Race: Martin Determined to
Start Second Half Charge in Toronto
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 Canadian Nationals
Location: Toronto Motorsports Park
Cayuga, Ontario, Canada
Dates: July 21-23, 2006
Martin Determined to Start Second Half Charge in Toronto
The 2006 eMax Drag Racing season will reach its midpoint this weekend
during the IHRA Canadian Nationals in Cayuga, Ontario, Canada. After
battling a series of misfortunes in the first few races, Harold Martin
and his ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac Racing team are determined to use
this third and final Canadian event of the year as a launching pad for
an outstanding second half. Having resolved to do whatever is necessary
to regain the winning form for which they are known, Martin and his crew
have worked non-stop since the last event to ensure everything is in
perfect working order before heading north of the border.
"Heading into this weekend, I have to give my entire ACDelco Pro Mod
Pontiac Racing team an 'A' for effort," stated Martin. "In the past
few weeks, we have had nothing short of eighteen-hour days working at
the racetrack and at our shop, because we were determined find anything
we could to return us back to the level of performance we know we are
capable of.
"For example, on Thursday morning when we were supposed to be departing
for Cayuga, the car was still disassembled and there was a list of
things we wanted to do to it. However, the end result of this
tremendous effort is that we are going to have a race car with a set-up
that is very different from anything we've raced to date.
"We have seen the numbers we need in testing, so it is not a matter of
reaching a new level of performance. Rather, we must get our car to
repeat these high levels of performance on a consistent basis. We
believe we have found problems that we have addressed, so we anticipate
turning things around this weekend."
With another tough Pro Modified field expected this weekend, Martin
knows he will need every advantage he can get in order to succeed.
Fortunately, he will arrive at Toronto Motorsports Park armed with a
talented, close-knit and hard-working crew, a fast race car and a solid
book of knowledge on adapting to the conditions on the Cayuga
quarter-mile. Although this weekend's results will provide the ultimate
confirmation, with all the pieces at his disposal, the man known as the
"EFI Wizard" is confident of putting together a strong showing.
"We look forward to racing at Toronto Motorsports Park, starting with
ACDelco's history there, and continuing with the many fans who will come
out and support us this weekend," said Martin. "The facility is a good
one, and we have some very good notes on the racing surface. If our
race program is able to deliver the consistency that we have been
looking for, we are confident that the Canadian Nationals will be a
great turning point for our ACDelco Pro Mod Pontiac's season."
Notes on Harold Martin and the ACDelco Pontiac Racing Team entering
The IHRA Canadian Nationals:
Martin Has Been a Solid Performer in Cayuga: In this event's first four
years, Harold has two starts in the top half of the field, and three
quarter-final finishes.
One Year Ago: Harold captured the ninth starting spot with a
6.263-second, 224.28 mph pass, and advanced to the quarterfinals
Event Schedule:
Qualifying:
Friday, July 21:
One round at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 22: Two rounds
at 3:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Final Eliminations:
Sunday, July 23: 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, August 19: 5:00 - 6:00
p.m. (Speed Channel)
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