The Frank Hawley Drag Racing School, led by the two-time NHRA Funny Car champion, has announced the continuation of its relationship with the Mickey Thompson Tire Company, an organization built by an equally-important figure in racing history. Mickey Thompson Tires and the school first worked together in the mid-1990s when Hawley was based in Pomona, Calif., and has spent 20 years creating the top drag racing school in the world.
Begun when Mickey Thompson Tires Vice President of Sales and Marketing Ken Warner joined forces with Hawley at Pomona, the partnership has evolved into a pairing that has seen incredible benefits for both sides. Kirk Fenn of the Mickey Thompson National Accounts Business Development Department, said the relationship has had incredible rewards for them.
“Frank was looking for the best products when he was going through his suppliers with his cars for the school and it was the perfect fit for us and for Frank,” Fenn said. “It allows anyone who’s going through for certification to be exposed to the best tires that are out there for drag racing for those classes and those categories. “
“Not to mention it works very well for us for when we’re doing relationship building with clients or customers. It really helps give them some hands-on experience to better sell and speak to the product when they’re marketing it out there.”
Hawley, an NHRA Nationals winner in both Funny Car and Top Fuel as the pilot of the legendary Chi-Town Hustler, said Mickey Thompson Tires has been an amazing partner for the school.
“It’s always important to have great traction and a good handling race car but it’s even more important when you are learning to drive. We’ve trusted Mickey Thompson Tires at our school for years!”
The most successful display for the two entities has been the Mickey Thompson Dragster Adventure. The program provides training at various drag strips across the country with the students racing in a Frank Hawley Drag Racing School dragster at the end of the day.
“We usually do two a year and I’ve been doing that for almost eight years and managing it for the last year and a half,” Fenn said. “We have nothing but rave reviews. People coming into it kind of skeptical in some cases, kind of ‘What is this all about?’ and after they make their first pass, they get out and get their helmet off…they’re like a little kid who’s just had their first exposure to a roller coaster.”
The Adventure has seen some amazing highlights, from its most recent winner Floyd Carter at Fontana, Calif., April 21, to a group of Navy SEALs last spring. While working with the SEALs is an unforgettable experience for both parties, the primary goal for Mickey Thompson is to provide education to customers and staff. The company also has a sizable involvement in off-road racing and provides an all-new experience to staff members who are unfamiliar with drag racing, although that’s not always the case.
”Floyd was a great example because he runs a speed shop so he was very in touch with the product on the drag racing side,” Fenn said, “but yet, was still absolutely floored by the experience. We go into it with a high-level objective, but we fine tune it based on what we want to get out of it and how the partnership is going to grow together.”
At the end of the day, success is measured in profit and the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School has definitely provided the opportunity for the Mickey Thompson Tire Company to expand both its reach and its customer loyalty.
“It certainly provides more of a hands-on takeaway,” Fenn said. “The more familiar our customers, dealers, and the end users become with a product, the more receptive they are to talk about it and essentially, sell it. That tends to be a positive take away and going back to the Fontana event, we had customers there who have since ramped up there overall volume of Mickey Thompson product.
“That’s an easy metric to see that we’ve accomplished our goal.”
Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School is coming to Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, IL June 30-July 2! “This is the first time we’ve ever brought the school to Chicago and we are really excited,” said school founder Frank Hawley. “I spent several years living in Chicago when I was driving the Chi-Town Hustler Funny Car, so it’s good to be back. The facility in Joliet is first class and the staff has been extremely helpful in planning our trip.”
“There are different reasons drivers attend our courses,” said school founder Frank Hawley. “Some are looking to get a competition license while others just want to drive a fast dragster and check another item off their bucket list. Every class has a combination of experienced racers and folks that have never been down a drag strip. The course is designed to work for drivers with various levels of experience.”
There are still seats open in the Super Comp/Super Gas class on June 30-July 1. “The two-day Super Class allows drivers of all backgrounds the opportunity to earn their NHRA competition driver’s license in the school’s Chevy Performance 572/720R equipped Super Comp Dragsters or Super Gas Firebirds. For drivers that already have their own car, the school offers a “bring your own car” program that gives drivers the opportunity to enjoy the same driving course behind the wheel of their own race car. No experience is necessary to take the course.
For those that are simply looking for the thrill of blasting down the quarter mile, the Dragster Adventure is offered on July 2nd. The Dragster Adventure starts at just $399 for the half day program, or $599 for the whole day program with SIDE-BY-SIDE racing.Due to the tremendous response, the Dragster Adventure is sold out on this date, but we are taking names for cancellations.
Seats are limited and advance registration is required, so call now to reserve your seat for the June 30-July 1 competition course.
Call Jeff Arend at x103 or Paul Shields at x102 at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, 866-480-7223 or visit the school’s website at www.frankhawley.com for all the upcoming dates and locations. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube and Instagram!
866-480-7223
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Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School is coming to Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, OR June 7-10! “This is the first time we’ve ever brought the school to Woodburn and the response has been fantastic!” said school founder Frank Hawley. “There are only a few seats left in the Super Comp/Super Gas competition license course on June 7-8 as well as the Dragster Adventure program on June 9. The folks at the track have been very helpful in welcoming the school to Woodburn.”
“There are different reasons drivers attend our courses,” said school founder Frank Hawley. “Some are looking to get a competition license while others just want to drive a fast dragster and check another item off their bucket list. Every class has a combination of experienced racers and folks that have never been down a drag strip. The course is designed to work for drivers with various levels of experience.”
The two-day Super Class allows drivers of all backgrounds the opportunity to earn their NHRA competition driver’s license in the school’s Chevy Performance 572/720R equipped Super Comp Dragsters or Super Gas Firebirds. For drivers that already have their own car, the school offers a “bring your own car” program that gives drivers the opportunity to enjoy the same driving course behind the wheel of their own race car. No experience is necessary to take the course.
In addition to on-track time, students will learn from Frank’s classroom sessions which cover the physiology of how the mind and body work together. Participants will learn how to mentally prepare, perform at the highest level, improve focus and block out distractions. Frank teaches how to practice more effectively, feel more confident about pulling up to the starting line and he shares techniques on how to remove the emotional baggage (everybody has some) that can often disrupt good performance.
For those that are simply looking for the thrill of blasting down the quarter mile, the Dragster Adventure is offered on June 9th and 10th. The Dragster Adventure starts at just $399 for the half day program, or $599 for the whole day program with SIDE-BY-SIDE racing.
Seats are limited and advance registration is required, so call now to reserve your seat for the June 7-8 competition course, or book on-line for the Dragster Adventure on June 9 or 10.
For additional information, please call 866-480-7223 and speak with Jeff Arend (x103) or Paul Shields (x102) at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School. Also visit the school’s website at www.frankhawley.com.
Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School is proud to be part of National Dragster’s unique Be A Winner, Be A Member program which rewards NHRA racers who win a regular-season bracket race at an NHRA Member track with prizes from lots of sponsors! At the end of the year, one lucky racer will be awarded the grand prize, a two-day Super class at Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School!
By submitting proof of victory and NHRA membership and an address, a racer becomes eligible for that month’s drawing and the grand prize later in the season. Oh, did we mention that the GRAND PRIZEis a trip to Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School two-day Super Comp or Super Gas Course and $500 spending money!
More information about the Be a Winner program can be found here at the NHRA website. Racers with questions regarding entries and the program can email etracing@nhra.com or call 626-250-2331.
www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223
Marc Caruso knows drag racing.
His father began racing at the age of 15 in upstate New York and Marc followed in those footsteps years later in his 1996 IROC Z. After racing his street car, he earned his Super Gas license at the age of 17 in his dad’s ’67 Camaro, which led to the purchase of a 1970 Chevelle. He raced 10.90 in IHRA events and won his first national event in 2000 at Norwalk. Following years of racing, national event victories, Marc said attending the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School upped his game even further.
“(It was) very educational,” he said. “I’ve been drag racing for almost 30 years and after sitting in on Frank’s classes, I found myself in two back-to-back NHRA Top Sportsman National event finals. I truly believe by implementing some of the psychological teachings from Frank is what helped me find my way to both of those finals.”
Marc believed in what Frank Hawley taught so much, he enrolled both of his daughters, Camrie Caruso and Ava Lawler, in the school as well. “As a racer, I feel in control when I’m operating the race car,” Marc said. “But, when I’m watching my daughters, the hardest part for me is standing on the starting line and feeling completely not in control. It can be pretty nerve racking.”
Watching Frank work with the girls, however, gave Marc a sense of security that they were in good hands. “I truly feel that Frank gave both Camrie and Ava the best know-how to compete competitively and most importantly, safely.”
Camrie has competed in Super Comp and Top Dragster at Division 1 and Division 3 races and is waiting for the day she can join her father at the national events. When she found out she was going to attend the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School, she knew her racing future just got brighter.
“My experience with the school was amazing!” she said. “I was so excited to be a part of such a successful drag racing school! As soon as my dad told me I was going, I had a countdown on my phone just waiting till the day.”
One of Camrie’s favorite aspects of the school is the post-run analysis done in the classroom. Making the run and feeling the car react is one thing, but to watch the lap on video afterwards with Frank providing expert commentary on what went right/wrong is invaluable for students.
“During one of my passes,” Camrie said, “I didn’t go as straight as I could have. I remember my dad telling me after the school that Frank said ‘Don’t tell her what she did wrong,’ and my dad was confused because he said his stomach dropped and he wanted to correct me right away. He came back and asked how I thought it went and I knew what I did wrong and that was important.
“I really enjoyed how the school made you feel comfortable and really focused on teaching the right ways to drive and stay safe. I would go back to the school for sure!”
For Ava, her racing career started when she became a part of the Caruso family. Marc and his father, Joe, embraced Ava within their racing program and she said it had a profound effect upon her.
“Being a part of the Caruso family not only affected my racing career, but it has also affected my life,” Ava said. “If it was not for Joe Caruso and Marc Caruso, I would not be who I am today. I am thankful for the support they give and the belief they have in me as a racer.
“Drag racing also brought Camrie and I together. We are now inseparable and I am happy to call her my sister and best friend.”
Attending the school not only improved her racing ability, it improved her outlook on life. “Frank Hawley’s school influenced the way I drive a race car,” she said, “but it also influenced the way I look at life. Frank taught me how watching my mistakes would make me want to try even harder to focus and fix the problem. The advice he gave and the sharing of life lessons helped me understand what needed to be accomplished for my next run.
“Frank Hawley’s driving school was not just about getting a new license; it was also about future confidence and learning from my mistakes.”
UPDATE! At her first race of the 2016 season Ava won the 2016 “Bracket Bash Championship” at the PDRA Spring Nationals in Rockingham, NC!
There are still a few seats left in our popular 2-day Super Comp and Super Gas license course on April 13 & 14. This 2-day course includes classroom, in-car and on-track instruction. Drivers will make progressively faster runs down the strip, enjoy video review of all runs and learn from Frank Hawley’s lectures on improving personal performance. Those new to drag racing will learn basic techniques and procedures. Experienced racers will master the mental challenges that separate winners from losers. Contact us for more information or to register for this course.
The Dragster Adventure and Dragster Adventure Challenge will be offered April 21st and April 22nd. This course is for drivers that want to “drive a dragster” and compete in “side-by-Side” racing without committing the time and resources required to become a licensed race car driver in one of our licensing courses. This is a great program for you and your friends, your customers or your employees and Adventure grads tell us this is the most memorable day of their year! Click here to book this course on-line!
So whether you want to earn your license, improve your skills, check something off your “Bucket List”, or try the Dragster Adventure with Side-by-Side Racing, we hope you’ll join us for an experience you’ll remember forever!
Oh, and in case you can’t make it in April, we’ll be back in October for the SC/SG license class and the Dragster Adventure! Please visit www.frankhawley.com for other class dates and locations!
Remember, pre-registration is required for all programs, so call Paul or Jeff at 866-480-7223 for info or to sign up!
Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School is making it’s second stop at the new Tucson Dragway on April 6-8 2016!
“We added Tucson to our schedule last fall as soon as we heard that Champion sportsman racer Jim Hughes was taking over the facility,” said school owner Frank Hawley. “Jim promised us a first class racing surface, great service and hospitality at his raceway… and he and his team delivered! The weather was great, the traction superb and our classes were sold out! We can’t wait to return this spring.”
“I had not seen Frank’s school in action before,” said Jim Hughes, the new owner of Tucson Dragway. “Their operation was flawless. Frank and his team are as good as it gets. I actually sat in on Frank’s lectures on Human Performance and I was blown away. After 30 years of racing and many National event wins I still learned a lot. I think anyone, no matter how much experience they have could benefit from Frank’s lectures,” added Hughes.
The school will be offering both the Super Comp and Super Gas Licensing courses as well as their amazingly popular Dragster Adventure Program. The Dragster Adventure Program offers drivers a chance to get behind the wheel of a dragster for as little as $399 and also give folks a chance to do some ‘side-by-side racing!
If this sounds exciting, take a look at the school’s programs at frankhawley.com or call Paul or Jeff at 866-480-7223 for additional information.
Remember, space is limited and pre-registration is required for all programs.
Jeff Arend, 866-480-7223 x103, jarend@frankhawley.com
Paul Shields, 866-480-7223 x102, pshields@frankhawley.com
www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223
With over a dozen locations on the schedule we hope almost everyone in the country has a chance to be a part of one of our programs. “We’ve added new locations like Route 66 Raceway in Chicago, Illinois and Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, Oregon in addition to all of our regular stops,” said Hawley. “The next several weeks we’ll be running classes at our home track in Gainesville, Florida and then our crew will be heading west with stops in Tucson and Fontana. We’ll be almost everywhere!”
So if your goal is to join the list of successful Hawley grads in one of the school’s world class Licensing Programs or just have a blast racing against your friends in one of the school’s Dragster Adventure Programs, 2016 will be your best opportunity ever!
Go to FrankHawley.com or call 866-480-7223 for your ticket to excitement!
Click here for our calendar of dates & locations. Remember, pre-registration is required at all of our classes.
Here’s a taste of the Dragster Adventure:
Contact Paul or Jeff with your questions or to book your class!
Paul Shields, pshields@frankhawley.com, x102
Jeff Arend, jarend@frankhawley.com, x103
www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223
We are very grateful for all the friendships and relationships we have made in the past and we look forward to making many more! Thank you for your support and patronage! We wish you a Blessed Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!
Merry Christmas from Frank, Lana, and our team!
Luke 2:9-11 – And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them…And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223
Please check our website for a class near you!
Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School is joining up with the Real Pro Mod Association to offer race fans a unique opportunity! The school will be conducting an Adventure Dragster Race during the RPM Association pre-season warm-up on February 26-27, 2016 at Palm Beach International Raceway in West Palm Beach, FL
The RPM Association is the nation’s leading Pro Mod group featuring champion drivers like World Champ Troy Coughlin, Danny Rowe, Steve Matusek, Rickie Smith, and many more.
The Real Pro Mod cars and drivers produce some of the most exciting racing action in drag racing as they compete on the NHRA Mello Yellow series across the country.
In February the group will be featured at Palm Beach International Raceway during the spring warm-up on February 26-28, 2016. The Pro Mods will be joined by Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, which will be offering one of their Dragster Adventures during the event.
“This is something we’ve never done before” said school founder Frank Hawley. “We’ll be giving folks a chance to compete in one of our Dragster Adventures while the RPM race is taking place. Our students will be part of the action! This will be a 2-day event for our students. Our drivers will make their practice runs on February 26th and run their eliminations on February 27th. After their practice runs, our drivers will be able to watch the pro mods qualifying, walk the pits and meet the Pro Mod drivers! Getting to race in our Dragster Adventure and being a part of the Pro Mod event is an amazing opportunity!” said Hawley.
Those interested should go to the school’s website at www.frankhawley.com and read about the Dragster Adventure Challenge, then contact us or you can just buy on-line (click on the following link to purchase the West Palm program –February 26-27 Dragster Adventure Challenge)
“This is a great gift idea for anyone attending the event, and no racing experience is necessary.” said Hawley.
ntinuation of its relationship with the Mickey Thompson Tire Company, an organization built by an equally-important figure in racing history. Mickey Thompson Tires and the school first worked together in the mid-1990s when Hawley was based in Pomona, Calif., and has spent 20 years creating the top drag racing school in the world.
Hawley, an NHRA Nationals winner in both Funny Car and Top Fuel as the pilot of the legendary Chi-Town Hustler, said Mickey Thompson Tires has been an amazing partner for the school.
ement in off-road racing and provides an all-new experience to staff members who are unfamiliar with drag racing, although that’s not always the case.
