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(11-5-2007) CHARLOTTE, NC – After years of learning the ropes and soaking up everything possible as crew chief of his father’s Pro Modified operation, Mike Carpenter is finally getting a chance to experience what it’s like behind the wheel.
The 24-year-old graphic designer will take his first stab at piloting a race car when he heads to Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School in Gainesville, FL this week. Carpenter hopes to earn his Super Gas license in the school’s big-block powered Pontiac Firebird while absorbing everything the renowned driving coach and his staff have to offer.
“This is something we’ve talked about doing for a while now,” said the younger Carpenter. “I graduated college last May and was supposed to go to driving school last winter, but things just got hectic around the shop and we weren’t able to make it happen. I’m really excited about it now that it’s finally happening, and it should be the perfect way to cap off the great season we had.”
While his 34 years of door car experience would probably make Charles Carpenter an excellent teacher in this situation, he is the first one to admit that Hawley’s school is the ultimate place to start a drag racing career.
“I could show him the ropes, but one look at the pedigree of drivers that have come through Hawley’s school shows that this is the place to start,” the elder Carpenter said. “I went to the school of hard knocks and probably picked up a few bad habits along the way. This is the perfect way for Mike to learn the proper way to do everything, not just on the track but in the mental preparation as well. That’s where Hawley’s school is really heads and shoulders above the rest.”
“This is the ideal way for him to get his feet wet: in a safe and proven car with just enough power for him to get a feel for what these cars are like,” added the two-time ADRL Pro Nitrous winner. “You’re never too old to learn, so I’m going to sit in on the classroom sessions. I’m sure I’ll enjoy watching him learn and get the full experience as much as he will enjoy driving the car.”
The aspiring driver hopes to someday soon have a new answer for everyone that has asked him one particular question year after year.
“If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me when I am going to start driving a Pro Mod, we wouldn’t still be on the hunt for sponsorship for dad’s car,” Mike joked. “I won’t be driving a Pro Mod this week, but this is the first step in that direction. I would like to have a definite answer for anyone that asks, especially since I have a feeling I will get that question even more after we get back from Hawley’s. That’s certainly not a bad thing, though. It’s part of what helps keep my dad and I motivated and out here doing what we love to do.”
School is in session for second generation Carpenter
(11-5-2007) CHARLOTTE, NC – After years of learning the ropes and soaking up everything possible as crew chief of his father’s Pro Modified operation, Mike Carpenter is finally getting a chance to experience what it’s like behind the wheel.
The 24-year-old graphic designer will take his first stab at piloting a race car when he heads to Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School in Gainesville, FL this week. Carpenter hopes to earn his Super Gas license in the school’s big-block powered Pontiac Firebird while absorbing everything the renowned driving coach and his staff have to offer.
“This is something we’ve talked about doing for a while now,” said the younger Carpenter. “I graduated college last May and was supposed to go to driving school last winter, but things just got hectic around the shop and we weren’t able to make it happen. I’m really excited about it now that it’s finally happening, and it should be the perfect way to cap off the great season we had.”
While his 34 years of door car experience would probably make Charles Carpenter an excellent teacher in this situation, he is the first one to admit that Hawley’s school is the ultimate place to start a drag racing career.
“I could show him the ropes, but one look at the pedigree of drivers that have come through Hawley’s school shows that this is the place to start,” the elder Carpenter said. “I went to the school of hard knocks and probably picked up a few bad habits along the way. This is the perfect way for Mike to learn the proper way to do everything, not just on the track but in the mental preparation as well. That’s where Hawley’s school is really heads and shoulders above the rest.”
“This is the ideal way for him to get his feet wet: in a safe and proven car with just enough power for him to get a feel for what these cars are like,” added the two-time ADRL Pro Nitrous winner. “You’re never too old to learn, so I’m going to sit in on the classroom sessions. I’m sure I’ll enjoy watching him learn and get the full experience as much as he will enjoy driving the car.”
The aspiring driver hopes to someday soon have a new answer for everyone that has asked him one particular question year after year.
“If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me when I am going to start driving a Pro Mod, we wouldn’t still be on the hunt for sponsorship for dad’s car,” Mike joked. “I won’t be driving a Pro Mod this week, but this is the first step in that direction. I would like to have a definite answer for anyone that asks, especially since I have a feeling I will get that question even more after we get back from Hawley’s. That’s certainly not a bad thing, though. It’s part of what helps keep my dad and I motivated and out here doing what we love to do.”
