HM:

There are three divisions within the company.  There is Martin Technologies, which is an engineering service company that does work for General Motors and automotive suppliers.  We do design and development and testing for them.  Martin Motorsports is a company that does engine and race car services for racing teams around the country.  We design engines. We build them and test them; and we do the same for cars.  Then there’s Harold Martin Racing that has an exclusive set of employees responsible for the entire race program.  We designed the first ever electronic fuel-injected engine for this class (of race cars).  We designed it from a clean sheet of paper.  It’s another strong historical moment that’s unfolding. 

What’s really exciting is our recent accomplishments come from the design and development we’ve done and continue to do.  While we had the option of purchasing a competitive engine from other suppliers, we felt that ultimately, we wouldn’t control our own destiny if we didn’t have the in-house ability to do that for ourselves and to assure that we would be forward in design.

How large is your organization?

HM:

We have 25 people.

dib:

I’m interested in your transition from being a GM auto development engineer to now being both an entrepreneur and a top-tier auto racer.

HM:

Each position sums up to living a dream.  As a young kid, these were the dreams I had.  I was a car person that loved being around cars.  I initially wanted to jump into racing, but the opportunity wasn’t there, so I went the other path of strengthening my foundation by getting a good education.  Then I had the opportunity to work for a great company like General Motors where I worked along side some of the most talented engineers in the world – I learned a lot and contributed as well.  I came to a crossroad where I felt it was time to pursue the next path in the journey, and that would be motor sports.  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.

dib:

How do you manage the demands that come with being a top-tier racer and a business owner?

HM:

It’s tough, but there are core synergies because they are related.  They promote similar thinking in terms of success.  Both require extensive discipline, planning and surrounding yourself with good people - and putting processes in place that you can build upon.  It’s no secret that it is a little different to build a 2,000+ horsepower (hp) engine than a 200 hp engine. On the other hand, many of the applications that we develop in our engine program are parts that AC Delco sells.  That is a great linkage because not only do we get to be a marketing icon for AC Delco, but we get to test the outer limits of their parts.  Our journey and success has given us a lot of credibility, especially among folks who appreciate the fact that I have gone from being a former GM engineer involved on the design and development side to an entrepreneur and racer.  I meet a lot of AC Delco customers, installers, etc. who have a variety of questions or are simply amazed that they use the same AC Delco parts that I put in my champion race program. 

dib:

What would you say to those who have dreams and haven’t pursued them yet?

HM:

I’d say believe in yourself and pursue your dream with a passion.  Don’t look back on your life and say ‘I wish I would have, could have, should have.’ Additionally, don’t wait to line up all of those ducks.  They don’t line up.  Go out there and pursue it.  Pursue your dream with discipline and in stages.  Don’t expect immediate success.  It takes time to evolve and develop a successful program. 

I believe there are many folks that have great ideas that need to be fostered.  I think that if they would only believe in themselves and surround themselves with a mentoring group that could support and foster those ideas, that they too would realize their dreams.

dib:

Did you have a mentoring team, or a role model who helped motivate you along your journey?

HM:

At the business level, no, I did not.  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.  But in terms of the roads that we’re traveling out here, particularly in this unchartered motorsports territory, it’s been difficult to find mentorship.

When I looked at other people like Roger Penske and Jack Roush and saw their various levels of success, I thought it was achievable.  I thought those were paths that I wanted to pursue.  But having a direct link, and someone I could just have a good old boy conversation with, that hasn’t been available yet.

dib:

How have the fans responded to you?

HM:

It’s just been outstanding from all walks of life.  That’s what’s been so fascinating about it all.  From the very beginning, I knew that if we were going to succeed, we had to have an engineering foundation, where we had some ability to control our destiny.  It’s wonderful, today, to be recognized as an industry leader, particularly in motorsports where folks respect your technical capabilities.  We’re respected for our on-track performances as well as our off-track.  I now have many speaking engagements.  I have a Harold Martin scholarship program.  We’re encouraging people to pursue their dreams.

dib:

One of the difficulties people encounter when they pursue their dreams is a financial hurdle.  Racing is a very expense sport.  What steps did you take to overcome the financial hurdle associated with becoming an auto racer?

HM:

First off, we were not without that same 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 AC Delco for those alliances.  But I will be quick to tell you that this journey isn’t something that just started for us.  It’s been forty years.  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.

dib:

So, your father is responsible for your love of autos and racing?

HM:

Absolutely, and clearly, the most connecting and satisfying part of all my accomplishments is that he’s still living and gets to be a part of it.  To me, it’s the equivalent of getting to put flowers on the living.  I would have hated to have the success we’re now having if he had passed on. It’s exciting that he gets to be a part of it.

dib:

In terms of being a racer, what are you thinking about before, during and after a race?

HM:

(Laughs).  What’s interesting is how that has changed for me today from before.  Your thoughts are clearly about putting your game face on.  You know you have a very dangerous job ahead of you, but you know you are capable of executing it.  You have to go out there and be big and do your job.  You've got to strategize around the various types of race tracks, conditions, and those kinds of things.  You have to strategize around what the competition is going to be trying to do to get underneath your skin or alter you from your plan.  Today, that’s a big one. 

A couple of years ago, we were really well accepted and well greeted amongst our peers.  Well, with today’s level of success, that’s changed.  It’s gone back to where it used to be, but it’s also different.  You know you’re the target, now, and you know that they know you’re at the head of the pack.  You’re the one they want.  So, you don’t feel the love any more, but that’s okay.  We’ll accept that and we’ll accept it in kind.  We’ll put our game face on to go out and race.  We want it as bad as they do, and we’re going to race hard.  We’ll certainly be a gentleman after the race, but when we have to race, we’re there to win.

dib:

Well, there’s a tremendous amount of pressure on you, what do you do to relax?

HM:

I’m not so sure I’m great at relaxing.  I try to play sports.  I play a little basketball, some volleyball.  I shoot pool.  I try to get away.  But also relaxing for me can sometimes be thinking up what’s next; thinking of a new innovation that can hurt them.  I like that.  I like going to the next level.  Right now, we’re working on a new engine design that could significantly raise our horsepower level.  We’re also working on a new race car that could be more aerodynamic than our other one.  So, it’s about continuous improvement, but I can also appreciate and respect that you need a balance.  So, that balance might be any where between sports activities or going to church and just fellowshipping.

dib:

So, you have a spiritual component to your pursuit of excellence?

HM:

Absolutely!  Couldn’t be where I am without that blessing.

dib:

And that helps you to stay focused?

HM:

Tremendously, tremendously.  You know, it goes without saying that there have been many lonely days and nights in this journey.  But I knew that God had a plan for me and that I had been blessed with too many talents not to not realize these blessings and be His flagship with these accomplishments.

dib:

Well, thank you Harold for sharing your inspiring journey with us.

2004 HIGHLIGHTS:

·      Scored the first IHRA national event win of his Pro Modified career in July at the Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

·      Established a new personal best top speed in August with his 228.54-mph pass in the second round of eliminations at the ACDelco Canadian Nationals in Cayuga, Ontario, Canada, marking the fourth time in the 2004 season that he had bettered his previous best.

·      Advanced to three final rounds in the first five races of the season (at the Amalie Oil Texas Nationals in San Antonio, TX, the IHRA Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend Ontario, Canada, and the Western RV Rocky Mountain Nationals in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) to raise his IHRA Pro Modified career total to five.

·      Assumed the IHRA Pro Modified Championship points lead for the first time in his career following the IHRA Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend Ontario, Canada.