Don’t miss out on classes for the rest of the summer!  We’re visiting some of our favorite tracks, as well as a new one.  Our Super Comp & Super Gas classes, as well as our Dragster Adventure programs have been filling quickly, so don’t wait.  Give Jeff Arend (x103) or Paul Shields (x102) a call at 866-480-7223 to reserve your seat now.  Advance reservations are required and seats are limited, so whether you want to earn your competition license, bring your own car to improve or upgrade your skills, or just have some fun, we’d love to help you.  You’ll learn so much more in the 2-day competition course than how to drive a race car.  Here’s a list of the upcoming school classes that still have some openings.

Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, FL July 12-13 – Super Comp/Super Gas

Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, OH July 25-26 Super Comp/Super Gas

Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, PA August 23-24 Super Comp/Super Gas

Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, PA August 25 Dragster Adventure  — Click here to book now!

Heartland Park, Topeka, KS September 7-8 Super Comp/Super Gas

Heartland Park, Topeka, KS September 9 Dragster Adventure — Click here to book now!

Gateway Motorsports Park, St. Louis, MO September 14-15 Super Comp/Super Gas

Gateway Motorsports Park St. Louis, MO September 16 Dragster Adventure — Click here to book now!

www.frankhawley.com

866-480-7223

Jeff Arend, x103

Paul Shields, x102

Summit Racing Equipment and Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School have been working together for over a decade.  Having just come off a week of classes at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH it seemed like the perfect time for a thank you to our long-time partner!

This year the Summit logo has been worn by thousands of our students including stars like Jay Leno and Rutledge Wood.

We shot a segment with Jay for his new show “Jay Leno’s Garage” at Fontana and Rutledge Wood was behind the wheel of one of our Super Gas cars as he and Tanner Foust prepared for a segment of Top Gear.

Summit Racing Equipment is the world’s largest mail order automotive performance equipment company, with thousands of performance parts, aftermarket accessories, tools and garage equipment, collectibles, and stock replacement parts to choose from.

So, if you’re ever by one of the Summit retail stores, stop in.  They host car shows, cruise-ins, have tent sales and more!  Retail outlets are located in Tallmadge, OH, Sparks, NV and McDonough, GA.

www.frankhawley.com

866-480-7223

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

We’ll be at Royal Purple Raceway in Houston, TX conducting our popular Super Comp/Super Gas class on May 13-14, 2015 as well as holding the Dragster Adventure/Challenge with side-by-side racing on May 15th.

The two-day Licensing Class allows drivers of all backgrounds the opportunity to earn their NHRA competition driver’s license in the school’s 572/720R Chevrolet-powered Super Comp Dragsters or Super Gas Firebirds. Some drivers even obtain both licenses during the class. Current drivers can bring their own car to the course, too. The course also includes Hawley’s Personal Performance Development lectures. You don’t need any previous racing experience to take the class,” continued Hawley. “In every class we’ve got drivers that have never raced sitting next to drivers that have won big money bracket races. It’s a great mix, with the rookies being able to benefit from some of the veterans’ backgrounds. But not everyone is after an NHRA license; some just do it for fun and excitement.”

If you just want to have fun and make a few laps down the track, then the Dragster Adventure or Dragster Adventure Challenge is for you!  These cars accelerate 0-60 mph in less than 3 seconds, run in the mid-10 second range at about 130 mph and the program starts at just $399!

Classes are offered throughout the year in Gainesville, Denver, St. Louis, Norwalk, and Reading.  Visit our website for a complete list of dates.  Dates for Corporate Adventure groups, Top Dragsters, Nostalgia Funny Car and the Alcohol classes are available on request.

To view our License Class video or obtain more information on all available classes, dates and locations for Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, visit the school’s website – www.frankhawley.com – or call 866-480-7223 (Outside U.S. 678-804-8835).

Here’s what some of our recent grads had to say about their class:

“This was by far the BEST WEDNESDAY OF MY LIFE!  Thanks to the outstanding program offered by the Hawley group.  They are the best.  I will be back! I thank everyone involved, Frank, Lana, Jeff and all the rest.  My bucket list has 1 less thing to do!”  Kevin Crawford, Dragster Adventure Challenge Winner

“I’m still processing my two days at drag racing school. I learned as much about myself as I did about racing, which is what I was looking for. Instead of lecturing about cars and driving, Frank teaches the bio-mechanics necessary to perform a precise task under pressure, and the state of mind needed to do well. Drag racing requires a keen self-awareness and presence in the moment.”  Joseph Brown, Super Gas Firebird

“I attended your super comp class on December 2 & 3 in Gainesville and 7 weeks later I have a Top Fuel Dragster license and I couldn’t have done this without the things you teach your students. Thank You!”  Shawn Reed, Super Comp Dragster now Top Fuel driver!

“I learned much more than I expected to and had fun doing it.  Frank is a terrific teacher! And I’ve had lots of teachers over the years (undergraduate school, medical school and 6 years of surgical residency).  The teaching format worked well for novices and experienced racers. The cars worked flawlessly and were equal in elapsed time. I was surprisingly comfortable despite my sizable frame.  My diminutive wife was comfortable too. The adjustability of the cars make them the right size for any driver.  Derek and Jimmy were a tremendous help before and after each pass.  I look forward to returning for the super comp/super gas program.  I’ll be bringing my friend Wayne down with me so he can work on his lights too.”  Dr. Ron Franzino, Dragster Adventure winner

Please like Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @frankhawleydrs! 

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

The country’s best known Drag Racing School is returning to Pacific Raceways in Kent, WA! The school will be holding its most popular course, the two-day Super Class on August 6-7, 2014. “We can’t wait to get back to Pacific Raceways”, said school founder and instructor Frank Hawley. “Washington state is one of the most beautiful in the country and we love visiting there. We’re really excited to be able to offer this program to the racing enthusiasts in the Northwest,” continued Hawley.

Many people come to Frank Hawley’s for race training and NHRA licensing, but the course isn’t limited to aspiring professionals. “Although we train a lot of serious racers, this course is for everyone. Some folks don’t need an NHRA license. They’re just looking for excitement and challenge,” said Hawley. “I wouldn’t want anyone to feel intimidated if they didn’t have any ‘fast car’ or racing experience. Every class we run has a range of drivers, from those with a solid racing background to some that have never seen a drag strip before,” continued Hawley.

No experience is necessary to take the course and several spots are available for drivers to participate in the class utilizing their own car for training as well.
If you’re looking for a racing license, Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School offers NHRA licensing courses in Super Comp and Super Gas. A driver can obtain his/her NHRA 4A and/or 4B license upon completion of the two-day course and be certified to compete as quick as 7.50 seconds in a quarter mile.
This class is known as the “Super Class”, the school’s most popular program. Graduates have gone on to be many of today’s top sportsman and professional drivers throughout all of the drag racing sanctioning bodies across the globe.

The curriculum, designed and instructed by Two-Time NHRA Nitro Funny Car World Champion Frank Hawley, includes classroom instruction, progressively faster runs down the strip and video reviews of each student’s runs.

Those new to drag racing will learn basic techniques and procedures and more experienced racers will master the mental challenges. Frank Hawley teaches students how their minds and bodies work while training each class to think, act and perform like champions.

As with any of the Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School classes or locations throughout the U.S., space is limited and must be booked in advance. Interested parties are urged to reserve their seat as soon as possible to ensure they don’t miss their opportunity to work with the Two-time NHRA Nitro Funny Car World Champion, Frank Hawley.

To view our Super Class video or obtain more information on all available classes, dates and locations for Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, visit the school’s website – www.frankhawley.com – or call 866-480-7223 (Outside U.S. 678-804-8835). The school’s also on Facebook, Twitter @Frankhawleydrs and YouTube!

NHRA Nitro Funny Car driver Jeff Arend has joined Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School team as a Program Sales Representative.  Jeff will be working with 18 year school veteran Paul Shields in a position for which Jeff is uniquely qualified.  Jeff’s entire career has been devoted to drag racing.  He has worked as a mechanic, instructor, sales rep and race car driver…a position he currently holds as driver for the “Grime Boss” NHRA Nitro Funny Car campaigned by drag race legend Jim Dunn.

Jeff Arend and Frank Hawley go way back.  Both natives of Ontario, Canada, Jeff and Frank grew up racing at the same drag strips in Southern Ontario and both fulfilled their childhood dreams of one day getting a shot in the “big show”, driving NHRA Nitro Funny Cars.

When Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School opened its west coast program back in 1996 Frank needed experienced, skilled drag racing mechanics and drivers to maintain the school cars and instruct the classes.  Jeff Arend was one of the first people he called.

“I had known Jeff for many years and was very familiar with his skill set,” said Hawley.  “I needed someone that could tune and maintain our Alcohol cars as well as instruct our drivers.  Jeff could do it all,” continued Hawley.  “I met with Jeff, offered him a position and he accepted.”

About the same time Jeff signed on, another “up and coming” driver came to work for the school.  Current Don Schumacher Racing Funny Car driver Jack Beckman joined Jeff.  “We had quite a staff,” said Hawley!

When the School’s lease at Pomona was not renewed several years ago the west coast staff continued building their own individual drag racing careers but the relationships and friendships stayed intact.

“We are enjoying a time of growth at our racing school,” said Hawley.  “We have new programs we are offering and new race tracks we will be attending.  Jeff will be a great asset to our team and a great help to our customers.  He understands every aspect of our business and of course everything about drag racing.  Jeff will be able to help answer anyone’s questions and guide them to the perfect program,” said Hawley.

“I’m excited about working with the school again,” said Jeff.  “I love talking with folks about drag racing and my job is wide ranging.  On one call I’ll be talking with a guy that wants to come out and race his friends in our “side-by-side” Dragster Adventure, the next call I’ll be helping a future racer decide on the right direction he or she should take with their racing career and then I’ll be talking with a company executive or owner about a corporate day for their sales force,” said Jeff.

“The fact that I’m currently racing a Nitro Funny Car on the NHRA Mello Yellow series is a real bonus for me and our customers.  I’ll be at every major drag strip in the country this year and although I get very busy sometimes helping the crew with the car, it will provide a great opportunity for folks to stop by our pit and talk about their racing plans and how Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School may help them achieve their goals or fulfill their dreams,” said Jeff.

Contact Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School at www.frankhawley.com or 866-480-7223!

Paul Shields x102, pshields@frankhawley.com

Jeff Arend x103, jarend@frankhawley.com

Hello Folks,

I got a call from “Big Daddy” Don Garlits himself, telling me that I’ll be inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame next spring!  This is “very cool”, especially when you read the list of previous inductees!  Check out my letter!  Hall of Fame 2014

The banquet is Thursday, March 13, 2014 during the Gatornationals.  So if you’re going to be in town, contact the Garlits Museum and get some tickets.  Hope to see you there!

Frank Hawley

www.frankhawley.com

866-480-7223

We’re heading to Houston, then on to Las Vegas for classes!   This will be our last road trip of 2013.  There are still some seats left, so contact us soon…we’d love to see you at one of our classes!  Bring your own car, drive one of ours or get a “tune-up” during our classroom lectures.  Click on the link below for information.

Houston Pre-Release 2013

866-480-7223

www.frankhawley.com

We’re going to be back at Maple Grove Raceway in August, so don’t miss out!  Whether you bring your own car, drive one of ours or tune up your mind with our classroom, we’d love to see you August 27 & 28 at the Grove!

Just click on the link below to access the story:

Maple Grove Pre-Release 2013

Contact us at 866-480-7223 to answer your questions or schedule a class.

SC and SG Class Dates:   Seattle August 7-8, Maple Grove August 27-28, Gainesville Sept 10-11, Houston September 24-25, Las Vegas Sept 30-Oct 1 & Oct 2-3, Gainesville October 17-18, Gainesville November 4-5, Gainesville December 9-10.

PSB Class Dates:  November 21-22 and December 19-20

TAD and TD dates available on request