Page 33 - Classics Issue

In 2008, Martin caught the eye of Volkswagen and signed for the closely-fought Formula 3 Euroseries with RC Motorsport which proved the springboard for Martin to move to the USA in 2009 where he joined Panther Racing to contest the Indy Lights Series. The year went by with many high points. The most memorable performance came at Long Beach where he battled for the Pole Position in only his second-ever race where he eventually qualifed sixth. He also impressed by taking a very strong top-5 in tricky conditions on his very frst oval race at Kansas, backing up that result with a solid drive at the Mid-Ohio road course, where he held off stiff competition to gift Panther Racing their frst road course top 5 for nearly two years.Martin was invited to drive in a shootout to compete for a ride with the championship-winning team Andretti Green Racing/AFS at Mid-Ohio. On the day, he successfully outpaced the other drivers and matched the times set by the reigning Indy Lights champion set at the previous race. He was subsequently offered a chance to drive for the team in 2010.Joining forces with Michael Andretti, Martin’s 2010 career was even more successful than his rookie year in Indy Lights. He dominated at Mid-Ohio, where he won the Sunoco Pole Award, set the Indy Lights track record, and took the checkered fag for his frst Indy Lights victory. His hard work and willingness to learn earned him podium fnished at Iowa Speedway and Edmonton, along with a pole position at Chicagoland Speedway. Martin fnished the season in third place in the championship.Martin was now ready to move into the IZOD IndyCar Series and by Mid-season he had signed to run three races with Sam Schmidt Motorsports. His performance at Sonoma won him the prestigious Firestone Tire-riffc Award for most impressive race performance.2012 brought signifcant challenges and exciting fnishes for the young Brit. Martin joined Conquest Endurance in the American Le Mans Series, switching his career to sports cars. Winning two races, three pole positions, and fnishing on the podium at every race.His talent was noticed by OAK Racing, a strong team in the World Endurance Challenge that Martin raced beside at the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit