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.”
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!
“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!
“BTE transmissions and products have been the connection between power and traction at our school for many years,” said school founder Frank Hawley. “The life of a transmission at the school is not an easy one. On some days we’ll make 60 to 70 runs on our cars so we need quality and reliability, and BTE delivers.”
To further increase the performance of the BTE power glides we are now equipping all of the school’s cars with the new BTE two-piece powerglide case.
BTE’s all new powerglide case improves on their previous design with a lighter and higher quality aftermarket housing. The two-piece design gives flexibility for multiple engine combinations and easier storage options when the bellhousing is removed.
Every BTE case includes a high quality IKO roller bearing in the tailshaft area
This case is certified for all SFI specifications. No blanket or shield is needed
Each housing is checked on a CMM for machining accuracy
Custom powdercoating available
Suitable for all racing applications to and beyond 3000 HP
For more information on BTE products, contact our friends at Bill Taylor Enterprises for their advice on the best product for your hot rod. bteracing.com or 800-626-1828
For information on the school and upcoming programs, contact us at 866-480-7223!
www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223
How would you like to earn your NHRA competition racing license…or challenge your friends in a side-by-side dragster competition…or just feel the amazing rush of adrenaline when you’re flying down the 1/4 mile behind the wheel of a dragster? If you want to get the best training in the country and better prepare yourself for competition or you just want to check “drive a dragster” off your bucket list, then please check us out. Dragster Adventure programs start at just $399!
I’m inviting you to join me and my team when we host Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School classes at Denver and St. Louis in June. Bandimere Speedway (Denver, CO) June 10-12 and Gateway Motorsports Park (St. Louis, MO) June 17-19 are premiere NHRA National event race tracks and offer world class racing surfaces and all the amenities you’d expect. Space is limited, so call us at 866-480-7223 today to reserve your seat in the SC, SG or Bring your own car class or book the Dragster Adventure on-line!
Here’s what some of our recent grads had to say:
“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!
www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223
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!
(right click on the link if it does not play automatically)
www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223
This year during the Gatornationals Jerry Gwynn was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame. Joining him at the reception was our long-time friend and racer Ken Veney.
After Darrell Gwynn’s accident in 1990 I was asked to race his car and we won the Springnationals on our very first outing! “A Win for Gwynn” was the cover from National Dragster following that race with Jerry Gwynn on the right, Ken Veney in the middle and me on the left.
So 25 years later I couldn’t resist another photo of the three of us together at the banquet!
Ken continued on building race car parts and engines, Jerry continues to works with his son Darrell’s Foundation and I continue to teach new racers at our drag racing school.
We’re missing the hats, team shirts and a driving suit, but here we are…then and now!
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!
So whether you’re looking to earn your competition license, improve your skills, check one off your “Bucket List” or upgrade your current license, please give us a call and we’d love to help.
Or maybe you, you and your friends, your employees or your customers would like to try the Dragster Adventure or Dragster Adventure Challenge with Side-by-Side Racing! Adventure grads say it’s the most exciting experience of their lives!
We’re calling on all our grads that are racing to send us their updates and we’ll post them on our Facebook page. If you haven’t already “Liked” our Facebook page, please do.
Wishing you all a fantastic year on and off the racetrack and look forward to hearing from you in 2015!
Contact us at:
866-480-7223 — Paul Shields x102 or Jeff Arend x103
www.frankhawley.com
For those of you who were not been able to attend the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame ceremony this year, or missed the recent airing of the program on MavTV, thank you to Masters Entertainment Group for doing this show and posting it on Inside Drag Racing for everyone’s enjoyment. The segment on a small portion of Frank’s speech starts at 6:50 minutes. Click on the video below to watch – Enjoy!
And to see who the 2015 inductees are, click on the following — http://www.garlits.com/IDRHOF-inductees.html
866-480-7223
www.frankhawley.com
Our friends at John Force Racing put this video together for us after the Corporate Day we did for them in Las Vegas this summer.
Click on the video link below to view – you’ll love the ending with John and myself! Enjoy!
The Dragster Adventure Challenge with Side-by-Side Racing works great for a corporate day. There are lots of options and track locations available. Contact us and let us help you put together an unforgettable day for your company or group!
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.
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.”
“
Adventure grads say it’s the most exciting experience of their lives!