We love running our race cars and we love watching people drive them, and lately we’ve been doing a lot of both!  Some people were driving a race car for the first time and others wanted to move up the ranks and learn how to handle faster machines.  In the past few months we’ve seen it all.  From running corporate classes to teaching US Navy Seals and Hollywood celebrities like Jay Leno to helping a guy achieve his life-long dream to drive a NHRA Nitro Funny car…it’s been a lot of fun.

One of our best moments was working with a group of active US Navy Seals at our school in Fontana.  The group was hosted by Mickey Thompson Tires.  M/T is a big supporter of the US Armed Forces and bringing these guys out was quite a thrill.  The Seals had a great time driving and we had a great time visiting with them.

Another highlight was working with a star like Jay Leno.  Jay has a new show called “Jay Leno’s Garage” which airs on NBC.  The show’s producers contacted us about filming a segment in which Jay learns how to drive a Super Comp dragster.  The show also featured the “not yet in production” 2016 SS Camaro.  It was great to have our former student and current Pro Stock NHRA world Champ Erica Enders show up to help with the class.  We were asked not to divulge anything about Jay’s on track performance until the show airs in October.  We’ll let you know when it will be on and then give you a little behind the scenes story as well.  Thanks to Jay and all his staff…. great people!

Companies have been bringing their customers and employees to the school for some great side-by-side racing action in our Dragster Adventure programs.  A group of designers and engineers from New Balance shoes showed up.  New Balance is working on shoe designs that can enhance a runner’s acceleration and wanted to experience some acceleration “dragster style” before sitting in on a lecture Frank gave on the physiology of human reaction time.

The school of course travels to many locations and the MAC TOOL company recently invited us to ZMax Dragway in Charlotte where MAC assembled a group of their top dealers from the US and Canada for a day of dragster racing.  The on-track action was awesome and the racing was crazy close.

And then there are guys like Jim Campbell.  Jim is a firefighter and works in relief efforts at major disasters around the globe.  But he had a dream of one day driving an NHRA Nitro Funny Car.  Dream BIG… right?  Well, he did it.  We got Jim through a couple of our programs and “up to speed” in our Nostalgia Funny Car.  That earned him the chance to try out the “big” car.  Last week with Jeff Arend and Del Worsham at his side Jim made his qualifying passes in the Worsham car and earned his Nitro FC license.  How cool!!

In addition to all of this we have been fulfilling lots of other dreams for folks that want to scratch something off their “bucket list”, just have some fast fun or find a shorter route to the winner’s circle.

Class pictures follow from our popular two-day Super Comp/Super Gas license programs conducted at Auto Plus Raceway in Gainesville, FL, our West Coast home at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, CA, Royal Purple Raceway in Houston, TX and Bandimere Speedway in Denver, CO.

Quotes from some of our recent grads:

~ Thank you for a great course at Fontana.  You and all your team really helped us to learn in a methodical manner conducive to learning a lot about driving and perhaps more about life.  In addition to my formula car racing I am very interested in periodically doing Super Comp runs in your dragsters. I have wanted to drive a dragster since I first saw them up close at Keystone Dragways outside of Winnipeg at the age of ten and thanks to you I finally reached that goal! Paul Coleman, SC grad

~The School was so much more than anticipated, like one of Frank’s talks, “I didn’t know what I didn’t know”. I really can’t imagine as a new car owner and driver how long it would be before I had the level of confidence and experience I gained from the Frank Hawley School. I really believe Franks driving course, classroom talks and driving instructions will be a huge part in successful driving and enjoying the sport.   Greg Moore, SG grad

~ Anybody who wants to learn how to drive a race car would be foolish not to take your class. The experts that you have working for you are the best.  From Jack Beckman, Jeff Arend, Jimmy, Matt and Derek, because of all of you, I have achieved my dream in becoming a Fuel Funny Car Driver.   Jim Campbell, NFC grad

~ I just wanted to thank you for helping me “clear the clutter”.  Yesterday I made it to the final of our AFX group at the NAPA Night of Fire and Thunder at Bandimere I’ve never made a final before. I did lose the final in a double breakout race but I gave it hell and lost by a micro second. It was a huge crowd and lots of folks attending that are family and friends. Lots of pressure. Lol!! I credit you and all that you taught us. For the most part I stayed on task and clear of distraction.  Brad Shaffer, SG grad

Contact us for more information on any of our programs or to schedule your date!

www.frankhawley.com

866-480-7223

This week I had the opportunity to help Jay Leno learn to drive a dragster for a segment on his show “Jay Leno’s Garage”!  Everyone in America knows the name “Jay Leno” and most likely everyone knows that Jay is a huge fan of the automobile.  His personal collection of cars is one of the largest and most impressive in the country.  Jay loves new cars, old cars, fast cars, slow cars and race cars.  And he loves to drive them!  So when the folks from the television show “Jay Leno’s Garage” called me and said Jay wanted to learn to drive a dragster… I jumped at the chance to work with him!

Although Mr. Leno has a lot of experience in fast cars, I thought I could use a little help with the instruction, so my friend, former student and current NHRA Pro Stock World Champion Erica Enders stopped by to give me a hand.  As a bonus, Erica showed up driving a brand new, not yet in production 2016 SS Camaro…and I got to drive it!  We had an absolute blast and Jay and his team were a joy to work with.  The location was Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School’s west coast home at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana and it was possibly one of the most memorable days I’ve had at a drag strip.

While you’re waiting for our show check out “Jay Leno’s Garage” on-line and take a look at all the other great cars Jay has gotten to drive in the past season.

The details and the outcome of Jay’s performance on the track won’t be released until the show goes on air in October but we’ll stay in touch with everyone and let you know an exact air time.  It’s going to be a great show… you really don’t want to miss it.

Frank

www.frankhawley.com

866-480-7223

Much like the man himself, Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School has been to race tracks everywhere, forming partnerships with the biggest names in motorsports.  One of the school’s long-time relationships is with Mickey Thompson Performance Tires, founded in 1963 by Mickey Thompson and Gene McMannis.  Both drivers held numerous records in various forms of racing and that desire for speed continues throughout the company today.

Recently at a Frank Hawley Drag Racing School event for Mickey Thompson customers at the Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, CA several customers and special guests got a chance to get behind the wheel of Hawley’s Adventure Dragsters for some ‘side-by-side’ racing action.

“Over the years Mickey Thompson Tires has entertained hundreds of folks at Frank Hawley’s,” said Mickey Thompson sales support/training specialist Kirk Fenn.  “The thrill of racing dragsters provides our guests with memories that will last a lifetime.  We love the relationship we have with Frank Hawley’s.”

After completing practice runs in the morning drivers were paired off for eliminations.  The eventual winner was Paul Giddings from SoCal Auto Style in Wildomar, CA.

“This was one of the most exciting events I’ve been to,” said Giddings.  “Even a month later I’m still showing friends and family the videos we took.  My heart was pounding as we staged the cars for the final.  I was thrilled when I saw my win light come on!”

“I would recommend this to anyone with a driver’s license,” Giddings said.  “I have always loved cars and this was one more check off the bucket list.”

Check out some previous Challenge Winners HERE!

To book your own adventure, visit www.frankhawley.com to see when we’ll be at a track near you or contact us to schedule your own group day at 866-480-7223!  Follow us on our official page on Facebook at facebook.com/FrankHawleysDragRacingSchool!

Recently five US Navy SEALS based at the Naval Special Operations base in Coronado, CA visited Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, CA.  The SEALS were invited as part of a program conducted by Mickey Thompson Tires.

“I was absolutely honored to meet these men and thank them for the work they and their counterparts do to protect our country,” said Hawley.  “All of the men and women serving in the armed forces deserve our praise and thanks for their contribution to freedom.  It was however a special opportunity for me and my staff to meet the SEALS.”

Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School has been working with the Mickey Thompson Tire Company for over a decade.  Through the years hundreds of Mickey Thompson customers, staff and guests have gotten a chance to get behind the wheel of one of Hawley’s dragsters and blast down the 1/4 mile during special Mickey Thompson promotional programs.

“It was an honor for us to have some of our finest join us for a day of fun and camaraderie at the track,” said Mickey Thompson Training Specialist Kirk Fenn.  “Frank and his team never missed a beat and once again provided our guests with a fantastic day at the track.”

The SEALS got to make several runs in the dragsters in addition to some ‘side-by-side’ racing.  Each one said they’d love to return for some more racing.

“These guys didn’t just graduate from SEAL training.  A couple of them have been SEALS for 15 years.” continued Hawley.  “They were treated like ‘Rock Stars’.  Everyone wanted a photo taken with them.  They were a group of very bright, brave and humble guys and had no problem at all driving the race cars.   In fact I was told that after leaving our school they were headed for a different type of training course in a new (not yet released) land based tactical weapons vehicle in Pensacola, FL.  Now that is something I’d like to learn to drive!” Said Hawley with a smile.

Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School is open to everyone…not just SEALS!   If you’d like to get behind the wheel of a dragster give the school a call at 866-480-7223!  

www.frankhawley.com

Stephen Sadler, Frank Hawley and film crew

Dream Ignition – a fitting title for the documentary being made on our Australian grad Stephen Sadler.  Stephen has cystic fibrosis and we were happy to be a big part of his dream!  He earned his Super Gas license during our classes at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana last October.

Please watch the trailer below and be inspired by his story!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsNaNC_oNlo

(right click on the link if it does not play automatically)

www.frankhawley.com

866-480-7223

Don’t miss the opportunity for you, your friends, your employees, or your customers to race in Side-by-Side Competition!  Whether it is a life-long dream to drive a dragster or you’re looking for that special way to entertain clients or customers – this program is for you!   Dragster Adventure Programs start at $399!

Here’s what some of our Dragster Adventure Challenge Winners had to say…

“Best day ever, I never drove down the quarter mile and the staff taught me how to do it…I won, if I can win, anyone can win…Great Day!”

“It was the best time we’ve ever had!”

“Thank you Frank for allowing our life-long dream to come true!”

“Words alone cannot convey the depth of my appreciation for the chance to experience what I did today…”

“We had a fantastic time and it definitely was a moral boost to our team and money well spent.”

The next Dragster Adventure is March 27th at Auto Plus Raceway in Gainesville, FL!  We have Adventure dates coming up at the following tracks – Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, CA; Royal Purple Raceway in Houston, TX; Bandimere Speedway in Denver, CO; Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis, MO; Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH; and Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, PA.

Seats are limited, so contact us or buy on-line!

www.frankhawley.com

866-480-7223

This has been a great year! We’ve covered the country from California to Washington to Pennsylvania with lots of places in between.

Our first full season with our Dragster Adventure thrilled drivers and produced some fabulous side-by-side racing and our school is still the only place student drivers can race dragsters in “side-by-side” competition.

Take a look at the video of the John Force Corporate Adventure day. You’ll see John with his daughters Courtney and Brittney and his team driver Robert Hight enjoying a day with their sponsors at our school.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAYWcYHztLg

Our school is the perfect place for you, your friends, customers or employees to join in the activities during the Adventure programs.  We can plan a private session just for your group!

The fall weather is spectacular here in Florida. We’re enjoying 70 degrees and sunshine while many people are stuck in the “polar vortex”. So treat yourself to a trip to Florida. We have a full schedule of classes in everything from Super Comp and Super Gas to our 200 mph Alcohol machines.

Many dates and locations have been finalized for 2015, so if you can’t make it to Florida this winter (although you should really try!), take a look at our other locations and decide what other race track will work for you or your group. https://frankhawley.com/class-dates-locations/

2015 will mark our third decade of providing excitement, thrills, education and fulfillment of many drivers’ dreams. We would love to help make it a memorable year for you behind the wheel!

We look forward to hearing from you!

Frank

866-480-7223
www.frankhawley.com

We have confirmed a number of 2015 class dates at Gainesville, Phoenix, Fontana, Denver, St. Louis and Norwalk! More dates will be finalized soon at these and some additional tracks. Please check our website for a class date near you – https://frankhawley.com/class-dates-locations/ !

And don’t forget you can visit us in Gainesville this fall and winter and enjoy the Florida sunshine!  We will be running our popular “New Year’s” class on December 30-31, 2014, where you can earn your competition license in your car or our Super Comp or Super Gas cars to 7.50!

For those wanting to move up to faster cars, we have a number of dates available for the Top Dragster, Nostalgia Funny Car or the Alcohol Funny Car or Dragster in Gainesville.

Upcoming Class Dates –

November 4-5, 2014 Super Comp/Super Gas – Gainesville, FL
November 19-20, 2014 Top Alcohol Dragster – Gainesville, FL

December 2-3, 2014 Super Comp/Super Gas – Gainesville, FL
December 4-5, 2014 Pro Stock Motorcycle – Gainesville, FL
December 4-5, 2014 Top Dragster – Gainesville, FL
December 30-31, 2014 Super Comp/Super Gas – Gainesville, FL

January 20-21, 2015 Super Comp/Super Gas – Gainesville, FL
January 22-23, 2015 Top Dragster – Gainesville, FL

February 3-4, 2015 TD/FC/Alky – Gainesville, FL
February 10-11, 2015 Super Comp/Super Gas – Gainesville, FL

March 2-3, 2015 Super Comp/Super Gas – PHOENIX, AZ
March 4, 2015 Dragster Adventure – PHOENIX, AZ

March 17-18, 2015 Super Comp/Super Gas – Gainesville, FL
March 19, 2015 Dragster Adventure – Gainesville, FL
March 24-25, 2015 TD/FC/Alky – Gainesville, FL

April 15-16, 2015 Super Comp/Super Gas – FONTANA, CA
April 17, 2015 Dragster Adventure – FONTANA, CA

June 10-11, 2015 Super Comp/Super Gas – DENVER, CO
June 12, 2015 Dragster Adventure – DENVER, CO

June 17-18, 2015 Super Comp/Super Gas – ST. LOUIS, MO
June 19, 2015 Dragster Adventure – ST. LOUIS, MO

July 20-21, 2015 Super Comp/Super Gas – NORWALK, OH
July 23, 2015 Dragster Adventure – NORWALK, OH
July 24, 2015 Dragster Adventure – NORWALK, OH

Additional Top Dragster/Alcohol dates on request…

More 2015 dates coming soon!

Contact us at 866-480-7223

www.frankhawley.com

Seems our last news left off with us heading to Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH where we had a terrific license class and Adventure program! Our 2-day license class had a range of experienced racers bringing their own cars to students just getting started.

Next, our guys headed to Seattle for media rides for the 3rd Annual Rainier Cup at Pacific Raceways during the NHRA O’Reilly Northwest Nationals, followed by a great Super Comp/Super Gas licensing class the following week.

Then it was back home to Auto Plus Raceway in Gainesville, FL where the Top Alcohol Funny Car was put to work.  Welcome our newest TAFC driver – Denver!

As you read this we are at Maple Grove Raceway running a Super Comp/Super Gas license program, followed by our Dragster Adventure. Then back to Auto Plus Raceway for a Corporate Dragster Adventure, a SC/SG class, a TAFC class and then it will be out to Auto Club Dragway for the final west coast trip of the year.

Frank

Quotes from Recent Grads:

“I was impressed with how well everyone progresses in a short time. As a 35 plus year veteran of bracket racing I picked up some pointers and had a great time. Frank does a great job of keeping your attention politely explaining mistakes and also telling them they did good also.” ~John and Lisa

“Just want to say thank you so much for the exhilarating and informative experience. Frank has a very unique way of teaching his subjects ( I am still trying to absorb all of it). I recommend anybody to experience Franks drag racing class.” ~Wayne

“I can’t say enough about the school and Frank I will be 64 this year and can honestly say I have never met anyone like Frank if this school was available when I was young and I took the class my life would certainly have taken a different course. I have never seen so many good people in a school of any kind and it’s amazing it radiates from Frank to all staff and students.” ~Larry

“ Just wanted to say thanks for the wonderful experience, and fulfilling a dream I had thought unobtainable. The class was tremendous and very informative. Frank and his crew were great and the way you worked with my wife to arrange this was instramental in achieving my strong passion of being behind the wheel of a real drag car. Franks teaching goes further than the track, I have noticed changes in my daily driving and thinking, I have a great sense of accomplishment and confidence. Thanks again.” ~Gerald

Upcoming class dates – give us a call at 866-480-7223 with any questions or to schedule a date!

September 23-24 – Gainesville, FL – SC/SG
October 9 – Fontana, CA ** Dragster Adventure
October 10 – Fontana, CA **Dragster Adventure (sold out)
October 15-16 – Fontana, CA – SC/SG
October 17 – Fontana, CA **Dragster Adventure (sold out)
October 28-29 – Gainesville, FL – TD
November 4-5 – Gainesville, FL – SC/SG
November 21 – Gainesville, FL **Dragster Adventure
December 2-3 – Gainesville, FL – SC/SG
December 4-5 – Gainesville, FL – PSM
December 4-5 – Gainesville, FL – TD
December 18-19 – Gainesville, FL – PSM
December 18-19 – Gainesville, FL – TD or Alky
December 30-31 – Auto Plus Raceway, Gainesville, FL – SC/SG

2015 CLASS DATES COMING SOON!!

www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223

Our guys and the “Hawler” have been racking up some miles already this year. During the last few months we’ve held license classes, Dragster Adventures and Corporate programs at Auto Plus Raceway in Gainesville; Auto Club Dragway in Fontana; Royal Purple Raceway in Houston; Atlanta Dragway (private corporate group), John Force Racing Corporate Group (pictured below) in Las Vegas; Gateway Motorsports Park in St. Louis; and now we’re off to Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk where we’ll be holding our popular two-day Super Comp/Super Gas license class, a corporate adventure and our popular Dragster Adventure!

Then we’ll be heading to Seattle to do media rides for the 3rd Annual Ranier Cup with class the week following the NHRA O’Reilly Northwest Nationals at Pacific Raceways.

In between regular classes we’ve been having some fun working with Discovery Canada (full release soon) and Top Gear !

Attached is a short video produced by one of our grads from our June Super Comp licensing class at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, CA. It’s a very nice piece with some aerial shots from a ‘drone’ camera. Click on the following link to watch. Hope you like it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQvGlLct0lo

Frank

 
Here are some upcoming class dates – give us a call at 866-480-7223 with any questions or to schedule a date!

August 6-7 – Seattle, WA – SC/SG; August 19 – Gainesville, FL – TAFC; August 26 – Gainesville, FL – TAFC;
September 3-4 – Reading, PA SC/SG; September 5 – Reading, PA **Dragster Adventure;
September 23-24 – Gainesville, FL – SC/SG; October 10 – Fontana, CA **Dragster Adventure;
October 15-16 – Fontana, CA – SC/SG; October 17 – Fontana, CA **Dragster Adventure;
October 28 – Gainesville, FL – TD; November 4-5 – Gainesville, FL – SC/SG;
November 21 – Gainesville, FL **Dragster Adventure; December 2-3 – Gainesville, FL – SC/SG;
December 4-5 – Gainesville, FL – PSM; December 18-19 – Gainesville, FL – PSM
December 30-31 – Auto Plus Raceway, Gainesville, FL – SC/SG