Real World: Tales Of The EFI Wizard
10/18/2007
IHRA Pro Modified Racer is committed to future techs
While he’s meticulously tending to his 2,500 horsepower, 230-mph, nitrous-oxide-powered hot rod, Harold Martin is demonstrating a commitment to winning both on and off the track as he expands his focus to the future: today’s youth.
“Every day, while we are focused on the goals in front of us, you have to look ahead and think of our successors,” says Martin. “Clearly, it is exciting to not only to win races, but to also go and speak to some students who could fit the mold of the next generation of automotive technicians, engineers and even motorsports participants.”
Martin, driver of the ACDelco Pro Modified Pontiac, is a second-generation racer. An engineer, team owner, driver, president, and CEO, Martin remains modest, though, saying he is most proud of serving as a role model and mentor.
Martin frequently visits schools, vocational institutions, and corporations, taking time both on- and off-season to share his inspirational message with students and executives alike.
“I believe in helping others realize their dreams,” says Martin, “and I think that anyone who follows the automotive technology field can be very proud of a wellrespected and lucrative career. I welcome the opportunity to assist young people in pursuing their dreams.”
THE EARLY YEARS
Martin was raised in Michigan, and still spends time visiting his father’s farm in Selma, AL. He grew up watching and learning from his father, Huston, an accomplished racer in his own right. He describes his dad as a “weekend warrior” who “always raced Chevys.”
Martin credits much of his success to his upbringing as a child in inner-city Detroit.
“It takes a surrounding staff and a surrounding community to make you ultimately the person that you are. And that's why I find it so special to have the opportunity to come back into the city of Detroit and do things within the public school systems and do things within communities at large.”
Huston also played a very influential role in Harold’s life; from him, Harold developed a love of – and a passion for – autos and racing.
“At the grassroots level, I had my dad who showed me the path of hard work and perseverance, and the credibility of the person, and I built on that.”
As a young child, Martin dreamt of making a significant contribution in whatever he was involved in, never losing sight of achieving his ultimate goal: making motorsports history. At the time, though, he felt the opportunity just wasn’t there. So, Martin focused on school and converting theoretical knowledge into real world applications.
Simply put, Martin says, “My foundation was having a good education. I kept encouraging myself to never stop learning – keep applying the knowledge in an historical fashion.”
TRANSFORMATION TO THE ‘EFI WIZARD’
Martin began his career at General Motors immediately after graduation, working as an engineer on emissions development. He later turned to electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems and played a major role in their development. Martin’s efforts resulted in 10 worldwide patents that are used in both racing and street legal automobiles; they also led to the development of the first OEM automotive digital computer control system. He later designed the first EFI engine in the Pro Modified class, utilizing many of the unique ideas he developed and expanded in his GM career.
Building on this knowledge, Martin has become well-respected within both the automotive and motorsports industries and has been a keynote speaker at numerous engineering and motorsports conferences. Martin even earned his nickname – the “EFI Wizard” – from sharing his expertise with industry leaders.
“I worked along side some of the most talented engineers in the world – I learned a lot and contributed as well,” says Martin of his GM experience. Despite his successes, Martin felt other opportunities were still waiting.
“I came to a crossroad where I felt it was time to pursue the next path in the journey, and that would be motorsports. I knew it would be as equally challenging out here as it was to be a significant entity within General Motors. I knew the path hadn’t been carved, ridden, or traveled too far – that there would be many bumpy and draining roads we would have to cross. But it’s been one outstanding journey.”
MARTIN MOTORSPORTS, INC.
When he first entered the world of motorsports, Martin found it difficult to procure the necessary equipment to win because he was an unproven driver and team owner.
So, in 1996, he founded his own company, Martin Motorsports, Inc., an endeavor that Martin is quick to point out did not come easy.
“First off, we were not without struggle; and still today we are carefully watching the penny. I could not be where I am today without the sponsorship alliances that we have. I owe a major thank you to General Motors and ACDelco for those alliances. But I will be quick to tell you that this journey isn’t something that just started for us. My dad did this as a hobby and we had many years of family sacrifice to allow his hobby to take place. It’s been a long time coming.”
Martin Motorsports, Inc. has three divisions: Martin Technologies, an engineering service company that does design, development and testing for GM and automotive suppliers; Martin Motorsports, which handles engine and race car services for racing teams across the country; and Harold Martin Racing, which has an exclusive set of employees who are responsible for the entire race program. It is Harold Martin Racing that designed the first-ever EFI engine for the Pro Mod racing class.
THE PROS WHO KNOW
After several years on the sidelines and with Martin Technologies firmly established, Martin re-entered racing in 1997 with his inaugural IHRA Pro Mod effort. Martin’s signature has always been the EFI combination he runs, a combination which has yielded him much success.
Martin attributes this success to having a supportive family and says his greatest reward has been “putting flowers on the living.” Of all his accomplishments – including education, career, business and racing – Martin says the greatest of all is “being able to achieve all I’ve been able to while my parents are both living.” Martin’s father, age 71, and mother, age 69, are both alive and occasionally attend Harold’s races.
Martin pays special attention to balancing his career with family, spending as much time and energy on being a leader and father as he does building his business and racing career.
“I want my son to be a very successful person. I want him to know the benefits and rewards of working hard, and having passion, a good education and integrity.”
This is the same advice Martin gives youth, whether he is presenting a formal speech at a school function, conducting a motorsports clinic, or even personally tuning a car of a racer attending an event: “It’s each and every one of you that has the ability to take your own prospective careers to whatever level that you choose. Nothing can stop you other than you.” Martin’s other synergistic message he shares when speaking is the importance of safety. He exercises the same level of caution whether he is driving a race car at 230-mph at the track or traveling down a local road at 30-mph: “Seat belts save lives.”
In 2007, ACDelco – Martin’s sponsor for more than 10 years – is capitalizing on Martin’s expertise to further encourage young women and men to consider automotive careers. At select visits to schools on the IHRA and ADRL circuits, including locations in Selma,; Orlando, FL; Valdosta, GA; Detroit; Kansas City, MO; Newark, NJ; Norwalk, OH; Tulsa, OK; and Houston, San Antonio, and Victoria, TX, and at other appearances, Martin is promoting the ACDelco – Harold Martin “Pros Who Know” scholarship program.
“I want young women and men to make a serious commitment to their careers. I want them to make a serious commitment to education. And I want them to realize that it's they who make that difference.”
To learn more about Harold Martin and for updates on his racing, visit acdelco.com/racing/harold-martin.
WORDS OF WISDOM FROM THE EFI WIZARD:
“Believe in yourself and pursue your dream with passion.”
“Don’t look back on your life and say ‘I wish … I would’ve, could’ve, should’ve.’”
“Don’t wait to line up all of those ducks. They don’t line up. Go out there and pursue them.”
“Pursue your dream with discipline and in stages. Don’t expect immediate success. It takes time to evolve and develop a successful program.”
“Earning a degree doesn’t mean you’re done learning. Always seek opportunities to educate yourself and to continue to improve.”
“God didn't put you on this earth to go out there and coexist. He put you on this earth to go out there and make a difference.”
“Young women should absolutely pursue career paths in this traditionally male-dominated field. Success – for women and men alike – is about surrounding yourself with the best individuals … skills aren’t limited by race or by gender.”
“Put flowers on the living.”
ACDelco – Harold Martin ‘Pros Who Know’ Scholarship
This annual program will award four $2,500 scholarships to high school students for their first-year expenses at an accredited vocational or trade school, college or university.
In addition, ACDelco is presenting $500 in ACDelco automotive parts to each winning student’s school, helping these institutions’ vocational programs.
The deadline to apply is October 15, 2007. Visit acdelco.com for more information.
Corporate Sponsorships: A Necessary Partnership
In the real world of automotive racing, having the support of sponsors is an important part of the business of racing.
The ACDelco / Harold Martin sponsorship spans nearly15 years. ACDelco's IHRA sponsorship of Harold Martin (as well as ACDelco's NHRA sponsorship of Kurt Johnson), allows ACDelco to provide weekly opportunities for the “Pros Who Know” to test their automotive aftermarket parts and products under extreme conditions on the track and to promote ACDelco's quality brand image.
In addition to racing for ACDelco, Harold Martin is a highly visible spokesperson for General Motors’ diversity programs. He takes a personal interest in many of those he meets and visits numerous schools and customers around the country to motivate individuals to pursue their dreams.
ACDelco's Honorary Pit Crew program with Harold Martin (and with Kurt Johnson) is a great way for Independent Service Centers that participate in ACDelco's Total Service Support (TSS) program to be rewarded for their participation with ACDelco and to have an "up close and personal" experience with the driver. At most races throughout the IHRA, ADRL and NHRA seasons, Harold Martin and Kurt Johnson (based on schedule / availability) host a few installers and their local sponsoring Warehouse Distributor to serve as the honorary pit crew. They receive team shirts and basically experience what goes into racing the driver's car. From unloading it off the trailer to having them watch it leave the starting line, attendees are treated like they are part of the crew for the day. They also see how the car uses a lot of the ACDelco parts they sell or use.