News Release
Media Contact: Carmen Carter, 248.910.6527
MOTORSPORTS SMALL DREAM CATAPULTS INTO HISTORY
‘THE CHAMP’ HUSTON MARTIN PASSED AWAY
A life lived married to family and love for automobiles [1933 to 2018]
For Immediate Release
Southfield, MI (November 7, 2018) Huston Martin, family patriarch who represents 5 generations and more than 70 years dedicated to motorsports racing, passed away on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. A native of Marion, Alabama, he married his life’s partner Connie in 1952, and moved to Detroit to launch an automotive career that included 33 great years at General Motors. Martin would later launch his own successful business, “Martin Trucking” (Southfield), along with developing the foundation of MARTIN MOTORSPORTS, which has today become a multimillion-dollar Global corporation.
The viewing has been scheduled for Sunday, November 11, 2018, from 2pm to 6pm at the Kemp Funeral Home, 24585 Evergreen Road in Southfield, MI. 48075. The Funeral service, Monday, November 12 at 10:30am, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 23455 W. Nine Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48033.
Growing up, Huston recognized his talent and ability to drive fast. In 1957, after purchasing his first new car you would often find him at Detroit Dragway on weekends and most GM non-working days seeking the next performance gains. A long story short, after a few challenging weekends and the breakage that comes with racing, he quickly figured out that he needed a “racing only” car as he was taking the bus to work. By 1958, he purchased a used Chevy and modified it for racing, naming it “Little Kim,” after his daughter. A replica of the car was presented to him 60 years later at the Detroit Autorama in 2017.
That was the start of a historic era in which Huston built and campaigned a total of 29 racecars bearing the “Little Kim” trademark that was recognized on and off the racetrack by motorsports enthusiasts across the U.S. In his prime years, he was known as the Weekend Warrior at four different tracks. He challenged every Ford and Mopar with his “MARTIN tuned” Chevys. He is renowned for having had great reflexes, consistency and ability to navigate any race track. Martin has been honored by NHRA (National Hot Rod Association), IHRA (International Hot Rod Association), AHRA (American Hot Rod Association), UHRA (United Hot Rod Association), MHRA (Michigan Hot Rod Association), and inducted into the NMA (National Motorsports Association) Hall of Fame. His racing accomplishments include being honored for the most wins in history at the Detroit Dragway. In 2018 a drag racing street was named after him at the Detroit Autorama, along with clone of his 1968 Camaro racecar on display. Martin had a winning streak that lasted so long that he was dubbed “The Champ.” Huston had an uncanny ability to build friends with the twinkle in his eye and infectious smile welcoming any and all. His amazing spirit lives on through the many that he has touched and the positive impacts that he has left on many of us and will live on forever. Truly his proud, timeless legacy will live on as he proudly enters the gates of heaven.
Huston passed his legacy to his son Harold as he observed, learned and yearned that same desire for family, speed and added technology. Harold is a renowned engineer, successful racecar driver, former GM employee, now leading as CEO of a global automotive company, Martin Technologies headquartered in Novi, MI. Until his passing, Martin remained an engaged motorsports mentor, attending events and often visiting the various new company facilities.
Martin leaves to cherish his memories his loving wife of more than 65 years, Connie; 2 sons, 2 daughters, immediate family of 470 relatives; and a host of friends and fans.
In lieu of flowers a fund has been established in his name in honor of fostering automotive tech education. For more information, call Harold Martin at 248-486-9613 or email hmedfund@haroldmartin.com.
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