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| Kris Martin takes a breather. Photo courtesy of Michael Scorcia |
If the name Kris Martin sounds familiar, it could be you're thinking of the Kawasaki motorcycle racer from England. Or perhaps you know of the popular singing Brit from Coldplay, also named Chris Martin. But there's another Kris Martin who is up and coming with amazing velocity and we mean that quite literally. Canadian race car driver Kris Martin has the pedal to the metal to become a racing legend for his racing skill and for being the first North American race car driver born profoundly deaf.
Born to Kim and Mike Martin in Burlington, Ontario, where he still lives, Martin comes from a racing family. "My cousin Ryan Coniam raced dirt track and is actually now working for the Furniture Row NASCAR team and is the crew chief for Regan Smith," Martin states. His grandfather, Doug Syer, and uncle, Warren Coniam, were both inducted into the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame. Martin chose to follow their lead at the age of 10.
"Coming from a racing family, it definitely adds a little pressure, but I think of it as a positive," he says. "My grandfather and uncle were great racers and have a lot of knowledge they have given to me. I plan on following in their footsteps. My grandfather is a role model for me and a great coach. My ultimate goal is to one day race NASCAR with the big boys. I will be there one day; I just need that opportunity."
Martin received a cochlear implant (CI) at age eight and developed hearing and speech as a result. Nonetheless, Martin has to rely more on his instincts and tactile senses than the sound of the car and the voice of his spotters when racing. "Believe it or not, having to learn to feel the car instead of hear it has made me the driver I am today."
At age 18, Martin was introduced to additional technology that has thrown him into high gear. On the recommendation of a teacher, Martin obtained a Phonak FM SmartLink+ system. The device hooks into his CochlearTM CI and the race radio in the car, taking the place of ear buds that hearing drivers use. "I use the FM system in the car so I can hear my spotters and communicate with my team. Having the Phonak system has helped me become an even better driver."
Now, at age 23, Martin has met with success on both the Canadian and American racetracks. "I raced a NASCAR Whelen All-American Series in 2008 and finished seventh of 28 cars," he reports. Off the track, Martin is in demand as a speaker and advocate for people with hearing loss. Teaming up with Canadian organizations such as London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), Canadian Hard of Hearing Association (CHHA) and VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children, Martin uses his racing success to give back to the hearing impaired community. "I believe it is very important that these kids know they can do anything they want. I always say, 'Follow your heart and follow your passion and you can do whatever you want to do.'"
Currently, Martin is assisting LHSC in fundraising for their CI program. According to the organization's Web site (www.lhsc.on.ca), LHSC "is one of only five hospitals in Ontario that offers a CI program and the only one that provides implants to both adults and children." LHSC is also where Martin was implanted. "Teaming up with LHSC was perfect because they have done so much for me and they are an amazing hospital," Martin says.
His involvement with VOICE, which mainstreams children with hearing loss in education, was a family mission. "My Mom was a member of VOICE so I became involved at an early age. I started to become a spokesperson for VOICE when I started racing and it is a wonderful organization."
Martin also eagerly participates in other opportunities to advocate for people with hearing loss, including speaking for the Deaf Action Center in Texas in 2008 and appearing this past January at the St. Thomas Sports Spectacular, a Canadian event which supports the Special Olympics. "I was honored to be a part of it. I got to sit at the celebrity table and meet some great people, and more importantly, we were there to raise money for the Ontario Special Olympics."
Martin's fame receives a boost in horsepower every time he gets closer to finishing first. Without sponsorship, though, his racing fame and support of people with hearing loss is in danger of wrecking before the checkered flag waves. "I tell everyone that racing is my passion. I feel at home when I am inside a race car. I feel that this is what I was born to do and I am very happy that I am getting to do it. We are hoping to find full sponsorship for the 2010 season so I can race a full season. We have been offered a ride in Canada and the U.S., but as racing goes, you need that sponsorship money. It takes roughly $100,000 for a full season of racing, with trailer costs, damage, tires, etc."
There's more at stake here than a gold cup and a young man's dream of crossing the finish line first. Martin's participation in racing means raising awareness about hearing loss and what it does not stop a person from doing. "I would mostly like to see the sports world know more about the hearing impaired community," Martin says. "When I raced down in North Carolina there were protests from people who did not want me to race because they thought I would wreck the field because of my hearing. After the race, it was the exact opposite and everyone was coming up to me and very excited about the way I raced. I hope that these worries disappear and everyone realizes that [hearing loss] does not inhibit us in the sports world."
Martin says a part of his racing inspiration comes from American racing favorite Dale Earnhardt, Jr. "Dale is my favorite driver because he can flat-out drive, and even though he is the most popular driver, he handles himself properly. Also, I appreciate how much he gives back to the community and to up-and-coming racers." Perhaps one day, if all the cars line up perfectly for Martin, he will race with Earnhardt. Until then, Martin's racing passion uplifts those who are like him. Equal to the ultimate goal of racing with the big boys and joining the family in the Racing Hall of Fame is Martin's aim to help children with hearing loss. When he speaks at events where children are present, Martin hopes they are encouraged by these words: "If you follow your passion, nothing can stop you from getting what you want. Trust yourself and listen to your heart; don't listen to any negativity from anyone around you. If you want it, you can get it, no matter your situation."
Check out Kris Martin's Web site at www.krismartinracingteam.com for more information on upcoming engagements and follow him on Facebook and Twitter. Martin will also be racing at Delaware Speedway during the 2010 season. Contact him at kris_martin@hotmail.com or his publicist at pturkington@stratcommsolutions.ca.
