Feb.13.2012Graduate Spotlight – Vol. 1 – Edition 1
Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School – Graduate Spotlight
Vol. 1/Edition 1
Sarah Edwards attended Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School in the summer of 2010, where the then 18 year old took part in the school’s Super Class at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania. “I left [the class] with my Super Comp License,” she reflected. “That was the first time I had ever gone down a race track or sat in a race car, I just knew I wanted to do it. Frank Hawley’s class was a huge learning experience and I couldn’t have asked for a better learning environment both in the classroom and on the track. Everyone was so knowledgeable and nice.”
A year after attending her Hawley class, Edwards purchased a dragster and a trailer. Her dragster is set up with a 555ci BBC and making 927HP on the dyno, is equipped to run Super Comp and Top Dragster.
For 2012, Edwards plans to spend a lot of time with her new dragster at her local track in New Jersey. “Being that we live in the Northeast, the weather plays a huge factor. As soon as the cold air moves out and the track opens, I plan to spend many weekends at Atco testing. I have a lot to learn about my car and I look forward to getting comfortable in it, before I set my mind to competing with it.”
Wisconsin resident and Super Class Graduate, Doug Simpson is currently putting the finishing touches on his brand new 4130 tube strut – 4 link car. His new ride will be powered by a Reher-Morrison 565ci BBC backed with a powerglide transmission. “It was fabricated by Jim and Jon Quinn at Chassis Service Unlimited in Chicago. The car is super clean and has a great deal of attention to detail. It was recently painted at Precise Auto Body in Kenosha, WI by Brian Ambrosini of wheelstanding AMC Gremlin fame,” Simpson pointed out. “I’m really looking forward to getting it out and making some passes in it as soon as the snow clears.”
“I really enjoyed my time at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School and I recommend Frank’s school any opportunity I get,” he added. “I look forward to attending some additional offerings.”
Billy Shoemaker attended the Pro Stock Motorcycle course at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School led by George Bryce. “I value that experience and use the training every time I enter a competitive event, regardless of the brand of racing. I have recommended your Pro Stock Motorcycle course to many of my friends and will continue to do so. I’m thankful for the advantage that I have as a result of Frank’s school,” he said. “I still do some drag racing with my Harley Davidson V-Rod Destroyer, but have redirected much of my time toward the world of Land Speed Racing.”
Since attending his Pro Stock Motorcycle class, Shoemaker has set an additional Land Speed Record at the Bonneville Salt Flats as well as being inducted into the Bonneville 200 MPH Club. In 2011, he teamed up with Bill Warner, who is currently the fastest in the world on a sit on Motorcycle (non-streamliner) at 311 MPH. Since then, Shoemaker has become the second fastest in the world at 269 MPH and accomplished the feat at the Mojave Mile in October 2011. He also set the track record at the Texas Mile in October 2011, at 255 MPH.
“For 2012, we will compete at the Texas Mile in March, Ohio Mile in April, Mojave Mile in May, Loring in July, and the Bonneville Salt Flats in August,” he continued. “We will attempt to narrow the gap between the world’s first and second fastest records. I will be 66 years old in April 2012. The older I get – the faster I go!”
We want to hear from you!
We know many of our graduates have gone on to purchase cars, build cars, rebuild cars or already have cars and are out there racing them. We’d like to include you in our next Grad Spotlight! Email us and let us know what your plans are for the season ahead.
Email pictures, if you have them, and some info on the car and yourself to lhawley@frankhawley.com