By Brandon W. Mudd
Part of what makes a business successful is experience. Another part is the quality of people who support that business. Frank Hawley is a two-time NHRA Funny Car champion, one of the sport’s 50
Greatest Drivers, and, for more than 30 years, the owner and lead instructor at the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School, so the experience is a no-brainer.
And the support? Well, when companies like Summit Racing Equipment spend year after year supporting the school, it’s obvious Hawley has built a credible empire based on results and customer satisfaction, both for racers and marketing partners.
Jim Greenleaf, the motorsports and events manager for Summit, said the school has provided his organization the ability to reach out to new groups and new clients.
“We were on board with Frank before I was in this position,” he said. “I’ve been with the company 20 years, so in the eight years I have been in this capacity, we’d already started a relationship with the school and Frank.
“Obviously, the main reason to get involved is because of what Frank’s doing, whether he’s teaching somebody who is looking to improve their skills or somebody who is new to the sport. There are opportunities there for us to help us reach that racer and to be a partner with them going forward in their racing career.”
“We have been with Summit for a long time. Summit has supported our sport for many years at both a Sportsman and a Professional level. I think our customers, the racers and enthusiasts have come to rely on Summit as the source for performance parts. I know that my staff uses them on a regular basis. It’s one stop shopping, with great service and great prices,” said Hawley.
Greenleaf said Summit Racing Equipment maintains its relationship with Hawley and the driving school due to both the programs the former drag racing champion provides for students and Hawley’s abilities to teach and motivate.
“I know folks that have been involved and are very impressed with the program that he runs,” Greenleaf said. “Again, it’s a top-notch program from the quality of the cars to Frank as a speaker and a motivator.”
When many think of the NHRA, they think of the Mello Yello Series and its Pro drivers. While Summit supports drivers such as Pro Stock champions Greg Anderson and Jason Line and Funny Car driver Tim Wilkerson, the company’s bread and butter comes from the Sportsman ranks.
Hobby racers and part-time drivers who have full-time jobs outside the sport are the ones Summit Racing Equipment wants to reach the most. Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School gives them that opportunity.
“It’s a local guy who is home working on his car in the garage, in the shop,” Greenleaf said. “It’s the guy that can go out and race on any given weekend. Whether it’s his daily driver or whether it’s a purpose-built race car, there really is no other form of motorsports that allows the participant to do that, to get involved at such an entry level, without a huge investment necessarily and that’s really our customer base, it’s that do-it-yourself racer.”
And to Jim Greenleaf and many other automotive industry representatives, Hawley and the school is a great way to reach those drivers. Regardless of whether it’s someone looking for a couple days of fun in a race car or someone looking to follow in Frank’s championship footsteps, Summit knows the school is a capable method of reaching a new customer base.
“Frank is kind of the next step,” Greenleaf said. “As they want to improve, they go to see Frank and obviously we want to be a part of that as they grow in the sport.”
Contact the School at 866-480-7223 for information on any of their programs, class dates & locations and also visit their website at www.frankhawley.com. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram!
www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223
When this news goes out, we’ll be running classes at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, CA before heading back to our home track at Gainesville Raceway for the winter and spring. We’d like to feature some of our grads in an upcoming newsletter, so please send us your pictures and news! In the meantime, if you’ve already been to the school, tell people about the programs, and please “like” and review us on our Facebook page. We are grateful to continue to help people get started in racing, or help them fulfill a lifelong dream! Our grads are our best endorsement and we are thankful for you all!
For those out there considering attending the school, listed below are winter dates in Gainesville, along with some of the travel
dates that have been confirmed at Auto Club Dragway in Fontana, Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk and Maple Grove Raceway in Reading. We hope to confirm additional dates shortly at Gainesville Raceway, along with remote class dates at Tucson Dragway, Royal Purple Raceway, Heartland Park Topeka and Woodburn Dragstrip.
The December classes between Christmas and New Years are extremely popular and this year the calendar worked out where we are able to offer TWO classes during this time. These are very popular for the up and coming racers out there as they are on school break, and also many people have this time off work. Don’t delay if you may be thinking about attending during one of these classes, as both class dates are half full already!
Our very knowledgeable guys, Paul Shields and Jeff Arend, are responsive to your calls, texts and emails so feel free to contact them with any and all questions you have about the school, what you’re trying to accomplish, whether you want to bring your own car, arrange a group event, just have some fun, buy a gift for someone, or even treat a potential sponsor or significant other to a taste of drag racing, etc. Their direct contacts are listed at the end of this email.
Below is a list of confirmed class dates. Please check back as we will be confirming other dates soon! **Additional dates for Group Events, TD/NFC are on demand
November 9, 2016 — TD/NFC – Gainesville Raceway
November 10-11, 2016 — SC/SG/BYOC – Gainesville Raceway
November 17, 2016 — TD/NFC – Gainesville Raceway
December 2, 2016 — Dragster Adventure – Gainesville Raceway (click here to book)
December 6-7, 2016 — SC/SG/BYOC – Gainesville Raceway
December 8-9, 2016 — TD – Gainesville Raceway (FULL)
December 10, 2016 — Corporate Dragster Adventure Group (Private)
December 27-28, 2016 — SC/SG/BYOC – Gainesville Raceway
December 29-30, 2016 — SC/SG/BYOC – Gainesville Raceway
January 17-18, 2017 — SC/SG/BYOC – Gainesville Raceway
January 25, 2017 — TD – Gainesville Raceway
February 14-15, 2017 — SC/SG/BYOC – Gainesville Raceway
February 21, 2017 — TD/NFC – Gainesville Raceway
February 23, 2017 — TD/NFC – Gainesville Raceway
February 28-Mar 1, 2017 — SC/SG/BYOC – Gainesville Raceway
March 21-22, 2017 — SC/SG/BYOC – Gainesville Raceway (after Gatornationals, cost $1695)
March 24, 2017 — Dragster Adventure – Gainesville Raceway (click here to book)
March 28, 2017 — TD/NFC – Gainesville Raceway
April 12-13, 2017 — SC/SG/BYOC – Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA
April 14, 2017 — Dragster Adventure – Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA (click here to book)
April 15, 2017 — Dragster Adventure – Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA (click here to book)
April 19-20, 2017 — SC/SG/BYOC – Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA
April 21, 2017 — Dragster Adventure – Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA (click here to book)
June 21-22, 2017 — SC/SG/BYOC – Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL
June 23, 2017 — Dragster Adventure – Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL (click here to book)
June 24, 2017 — Dragster Adventure – Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL (click here to book)
July 17-18, 2017 — SC/SG/BYOC – Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, OH
July 19, 2017 — Corporate Dragster Adventure Group (Private)
July 20, 2017 — Dragster Adventure – Summit Motorsports Park, Norwalk, OH (click here to book)
August 15-16, 2017 — SC/SG/BYOC – Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, PA
August 17, 2017 — Dragster Adventure – Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, PA (click here to book)
August 18, 2017 — Dragster Adventure – Maple Grove Raceway, Reading, PA (click here to book)
October 18-19, 2017 — SC/SG/BYOC – Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA
October 20, 2017 — Dragster Adventure – Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA (click here to book)
October 26, 2017 — Dragster Adventure – Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA (click here to book)
October 27, 2017 — Dragster Adventure – Auto Club Dragway, Fontana, CA (click here to book)
** Dates subject to change, so please check back
For information on all our programs contact…
Paul Shields, 866-480-7223 x102, 904-472-6312 cell, pshields@frankhawley.com
Jeff Arend, 866-480-7223 x103, 909-973-8279 cell, jarend@frankhawley.com
www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223
Sunny skies, low humidity and pleasant temperatures are what Florida is about in the Fall & Winter. And remember, the
tuition on our 2-day Super Comp or Super Gas competition license program is only $1495 at our home track of Gainesville Raceway! Below are the dates we currently have scheduled, and note there are some 2017 dates on there already! These classes are a GREAT foundation to move on to all forms of racing! We have grads racing in the NHRA, IHRA, NMRA, NMCA, NHRDA, JETS and more!
This year we are offering two classes between Christmas and New Years for everyone who is off of work, school or just plain on vacation!
So, if you’ve been thinking about getting into racing or already have a hot rod, pick up the phone and call Paul or Jeff and they can tell you just about everything you want to know about earning your competition license, bringing your own car to class, upgrading to a different class, or just having some fun and checking an item off your bucket list! These classes are taught personally by Frank Hawley and the SC/SG classes include the personal performance lectures Frank has worked with many of the pro drivers on.
Don’t wait as class size is limited and preregistration is required in all our programs. Additional dates for the 200 mph classes are available on request. Scroll down past the dates for contact info…
October 4-5, 2016 ~~ Super Comp/Super Gas/Bring Your Own Car
October 12, 2016 ~~ Top Dragster
December 6-7, 2016 ~~ Super Comp/Super Gas/Bring Your Own Car
December 8-9, 2016 ~~ Top Dragster
December 27-28, 2016 ~~ Super Comp/Super Gas/Bring Your Own Car
December 29-30, 2016 ~~ Super Comp/Super Gas/Bring Your Own Car
January 17-18, 2017 ~~ Super Comp/Super Gas/Bring Your Own Car
January 24-25, 2017 ~~ Top Dragster or Nostalgia Funny Car
February 14-15, 2017 ~~ Super Comp/Super Gas/Bring Your Own Car
February 28-March 1, 2017 ~~ Super Comp/Super Gas/Bring Your Own Car
March 21-22, 2017 ~~ Super Comp/Super Gas/Bring Your Own Car (*premium pricing of $1695.00 after Gatornationals)
March 24, 2017 ~~ Dragster Adventure
March 28-29, 2017 ~~ Top Dragster or Nostalgia Funny Car
www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223
Paul Shields, pshields@frankhawley.com, 866-480-7223 x102, 904-472-6312 cell
Jeff Arend, jarend@frankhawley.com, 866-480-7223 x103, 909-973-8279 cell
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
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
www.frankhawley.com
Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School is coming to Woodburn Dragstrip in Woodburn, OR June 7-10! “This is the firs
t 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 foc
us 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.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, YouTube!
Marc Caruso knows drag racing.![PDRA Rock3](https://frankhawley.com/new/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/PDRA-Rock3-300x200.jpg)
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!
For more information on the school, programs offered, class dates and locations, visit www.frankhawley.com or call us at 866-480-7223! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Google+!
www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223
Check out all the great locations we’re holding both our 2-day Super Comp/Super Gas competition license class, as well as the Dragster Adventure in the next couple months!! In addition to our regular stops at Royal Purple Raceway in Houston (May 18-20) and Bandimere Speedway in Denver (June 1-3), this will be the first time we’ve ventured to Woodburn Dragstrip in the Pacific Northwest (June 8-10), as well as Route 66 Raceway near Chicago (June 30-July 2)!
We’ll be holding our Alcohol Funny Car and Top Dragster classes in between our
travels at our home base of Gainesville Raceway also.
So, if you want to earn your competition license, improve your skills, crossgrade or upgrade your current license, entertain friends or employees – give us a call!
Pre-registration is required in all programs and space is limited, so contact Paul Shields, pshields@frankhawley.com or Jeff Arend, jarend@frankhawley.com at 866-480-7223 for complete information on all our classes or to sign up!
Visit our website for lots more class dates and locations too!
866-480-7223
www.frankhawley.com
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!
www.frankhawley.com
866-480-7223
Paul Shields, pshields@frankhawley.com, 866-480-7223 x102
Jeff Arend, jarend@frankhawley.com, 866-480-7223 x103
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 opera
tion 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