Frank Hawley’s Super Class Generates Renewed Passion for Graduates
Remaining one of the most popular dates for Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, the Super Class that is held at Gainesville Raceway annually between Christmas and New Year’s, boasted eighteen drivers seeking everything from improving their driving skills to experiencing drag racing for the very first time.
Scott Cokeing of Eads, Tennessee has been a drag racing fan for many decades. The fifty year old mechanical engineer last drove down the quarter-mile more than thirty years ago in a street car. When he came across an ad for Hawley’s Drag Racing School while searching for some auto parts, he decided to give himself a present.
“Up until that point, I had no plans on attending a drag racing school but I decided to give myself a Christmas present. Sure glad I did,” confessed Cokeing. “My recent drag racing experience before the school had really only been a spectator. I enjoy watching drag racing and have been to several national events and only dreamed about actually driving down the ¼ mile in a dragster. As a mechanical engineer, I have always enjoyed machines and how they work. The modern race car is becoming very advanced, following many of the same technologies used in the aerospace industry.”
Cokeing was one of eight other dragster drivers who participated in the late December class and he points out that his rather spontaneous decision to attend Hawley’s class was one that further ignited his personal passion for drag racing.
“After the class I bought a turnkey dragster and trailer,” he said. “I am ready for the season to open here. [Memphis International Raceway] Being new racer, I realize there is a lot to learn to compete with the seasoned drivers, however I believe I made a huge leap forward by taking Franks class.”
“During the classroom time, Frank’s covers a lot of interesting and diverse material, while focused on improving your drag racing skills,” he continued. “It most certainly can be used in your everyday life. There is something for everyone to glean, whether drag racer or not. Frank’s instruction and invaluable racing tips are clear and easy to understand, both in the classroom and on the track. Frank gets you to think out of the box, and shows you visually what you are doing and how to correct it to become a better driver.”
“What an exhilarating learning experience,” Cokeing said of his Super Class. “Previously only a spectator, I wanted to get in the action. I have never been in a real race car before attending Frank’s school and I wanted to get a solid racing foundation first. My first ever ¼ mile run was 8.2 seconds and 160 mph, what a rush. Well now I’m hooked and with my new dragster I will start racing this year. Frank gave me the basic tools to be a safe and confident driver, no more sitting in the bleachers. Thanks Frank!”
Cokeing also chose to participate in the school’s video program and not only acquired one of the RePlay XD 1080HD cameras, but captured memories of his ‘thrilling experience’ while at the school to cherish and share for many years to come. He took the time to put together a short compellation of his class and has shared it for others to enjoy on YouTube.
For more information on Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, including all course offerings, locations and dates, call 866-480-7223 [Outside U.S. 678-804-8835] or www.frankhawley.com Plus “Like Us” on Facebook for all the details and your chance to win a 25th Anniversary T-Shirt and qualify for the Grand Prize of a Classroom/Reaction Time Clinic with Frank Hawley!
time of year when the Sunshine state lives up to its moniker. A recent December class that included Tom Laskowski and Paul Smith Sr. and Jr. were among those who recently journeyed to Gainesville, Fla. with specific ideas in mind other than basking in the warm sun. They were there to learn and improve their drag racing proficiencies by attending the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School at Gainesville Raceway. Laskowski, for example, came from Seven Hills, Ohio, for the two-day Super Comp/Super Gas class and took home not only more knowledge of the driving/competitive aspects of the sport, but some key mechanical information – and his Super Gas competition license. “I have been racing for 30 years,” said Laskowski, who operates a wilderness survival school. “I didn’t do any formal training when I started racing, and I thought this would be a good opportunity get better at what I do as a hobby. “I achieved everything I was hoping for. I found out I wasn’t staging my 11-second 1968 Pontiac properly. Frank pointed it out on the video they take of our runs. The front of the car wasn’t lined up straight. He also taught me how to improve my reaction times, and I learned technical information on the transmission and the ignition system that I can use.” Laskowski wanted to go fast, and he did, registering a quarter-mile lap at 140 mph in one of the school’s nine-second Super Gas car. “That was an important aspect of the school,” he commented. “After driving that nine-second car, I think now when I drive my 11-second car it will give me time to react to things a little differently. I’m going to be more comfortable (driving) at 120 mph. “Frank’s school is the real deal. He treated us like professionals and answered all of our questions. I learned a lot. I was excited about the school before I went there, but honestly, I was more excited when I came home. “I can’t wait to get back on the track again.” The Smiths, Paul Sr. and Paul Jr., drove their 1998 Corvette to Gainesville from their Alpharetta, Ga., home as well as on the Gainesville Raceway asphalt. Paul Jr. took over the driving chores from his father in 2003 and has been competing ever since. Paul Sr. attended the classes. “There’s a lot I do subconsciously – like block things out and not letting things get to me,” said Paul Jr. I didn’t realize how much of that is necessary to stage the car properly and be on the right page when the light goes green. “Frank does a real good job of pointing out exactly what’s going on in your head . . . that you aren’t paying attention to. Staging the car is probably hardest part of racing. It seems easy when you go up and stage between the beams and the light turns green. But there are a lot of things going on besides making sure you are in the right part of the track, lined up in the middle and heading straight down the track.” While Paul Jr. has probably had a lot more seat time than most of the other people in the class he knows there is always something to learn. “This wasn’t a beginner’s course for me, but just for me to be aware of what I do in the race car is priceless. That was an eye-opener to see how in-depth the drag racing process is,” he remarked. Paul Jr. races selected series each year. Last year he became the only Corvette driver to win a Pinks All Out special event. It came at Atlanta Dragway, his home track. “Frank’s school exceeded our wildest expectations,” praised Paul Sr. “We had a good group of people with varied backgrounds and Frank did an excellent job of instructing them.” “The school was absolutely phenomenal,” added Paul Jr. “There’s probably not a person on the planet – even if they never plan on drag racing – that won’t learn something from going through the school.” In addition to the Super Classes, Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School also offers licensing courses in Top Dragster, Top Sportsman, Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle. All courses offered year-round and for the next few months, drivers can break away from the cold weather up north and visit warm, sunny Gainesville, Florida to get prepared for the 2012 season. For more information on Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, including offerings and dates, call 866-480-7223 [Outside US 678-804-8835] or www.frankhawley.com Plus “Like Us” on Facebook for all the details and your chance to win a 25th Anniversary T-Shirt and qualify for the Grand Prize of a Classroom/Reaction Time Clinic with Frank Hawley!