<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/FranH.jpg" alt="FranH" align="left"borders="0"/>
ATLANTA (April 24, 2008) Frank Hawley wasn't listed in the 1982 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series media guide. He was, at the time, a rookie Funny Car driver from London, Ontario, Canada.
A year later, however, the upstart from across the border had guaranteed himself perpetual mentions in ensuing yearly updates. How? He stunned the Funny Car field by winning the championship, ending the three-year reign of Raymond Beadle and outlasting seasoned veterans Don Prudhomme, Billy Meyer and Kenny Bernstein.
For an encore, Hawley came back and captured a second consecutive championship, winning four races and easily outdistancing runner-up Mark Oswald, third-place Bernstein and a newcomer to the Funny Car top 10, John Force.
Hawley's ride was the fabled match-race car the Chi- Town Hustler, owned by John Farkonas, Pat Minick and Austin Coil, who also did the tuning. Coil, as drag racing fans know, later went to work for Force and earned 14 more - and counting - season titles.
Meanwhile, Hawley brought his dream of starting a drag racing school to life when Frank Hawley's NHRA Drag Racing School opened its doors in 1985. Hawley stepped away from active competition in 1992 and into the life of a driving instructor.
"This is the school's 23rd year," Hawley says with justifiable pride. "We've literally had thousands of people go through the school and continue to do so. It seems to be the place to go now for almost anybody trying to get into the alcohol or professional (drag racing) ranks. Most of the tour drivers you see getting into the pro cars have spent time with us.
"I enjoy it tremendously," he continued. "I have never lost my interest in helping share with the drivers the stuff I've learned over the years."
He apparently didn't misplace his desire to drive a race car during those years, either. Hawley will be making his second appearance of the 2008 POWERade Series season at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, April 25-27, driving the ProCare Rx Dodge Charger R/T for Gotham City Racing co-owners Roger Burgess and Mike Ashley.
Hawley's first competitive venture in 16 years came in his hometown of Gainesville, Fla., last month. Gainesville Raceway also is the site of Hawley's driving school. Limited by rain to two qualifying runs, Hawley qualified 11th (4.916 seconds at 319.60 mph) and found himself in a unique position.
His first-round rival was Jack Beckman, one of his driving school instructors. Beckman won with a 4.866- second time to Hawley's 4.898.
"It is exciting to be competing again," said Hawley. "My last competitive run (before Gainesville) was in 1991 when I drove Darrell Gwynn's Top Fuel car. "To be honest, it kind of surprised me because I'm enjoying it more that I thought I might. Mike and Roger have a great group of people working for them. They are very supportive of me and are committed to the work they do."
Hawley tested last week at Indianapolis. "The test went well," he said. "It was the first time the (O'Reilly) Raceway Park track was used this year, but the ORP staff did a wonderful job of preparing it. We were limited as to how fast we could go, and we did spin the tires, but it was further down the track and we got a couple of decent runs in. It was a brand new car and it went straight and handled very well. The guys did a fabulous job of putting it together and we were very pleased with the test session.
"I'm really enjoying the car. I haven't had a chance to drive it a lot yet, but I think that given enough time, I'll do a pretty good job at it. It's a great opportunity for me to step into a good car right off the bat. That makes my job getting back in the driver's seat a bit easier."
Hawley already has one victory at Atlanta Dragway (1983) and he was runner-up in his first visit in 1982. He collected seven race wins in Funny Car and two in Top Fuel in his previous endeavors. But that was the first chapter of his drag racing career. Now, he is eagerly awaiting his first qualifying runs Friday at Atlanta Dragway early in chapter two.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "It was great we got an opportunity to test. It gave the crew chiefs, Aaron Brooks and Ray Centorbi, confidence going into the race.
"I try not to set an unrealistic expectations other than I think our team should be as prepared as we could possibly be, and we have the attitude that if we do all the tasks that are laid out for us to the best of our ability, we are going to see very, very good results in Atlanta.
"I guess we are going to find out soon."
Notes&Quotes - Hawley's current race schedule calls for selected events, but, "One of the main things we are working on is acquiring funding for the race team that would enable us to run all the remaining races," Hawley said. "My team isn't going to race all the time, but if we get hooked up with the right partner, we'll be racing all the time." . . . Hawley is joining teammate Melanie Troxel for a visit to Dream House for Medically Fragile Children Tuesday in Snellville, Ga. Troxel is driving a special Dream House-themed Dodge Charger R/T for the event. "We are proud to be part of this Dream House experience with Melanie," Hawley said.
Burgess and Ashley have organized a special fund- raising event to benefit Dream House. The dinner - at Chateau Élan in Braselton, Ga. - is scheduled Saturday night, April 26, 6:30-11:30 p.m. NHRA driving stars will be meeting and greeting race fans. Drag racing memorabilia will be auctioned during the evening . . . Dream House for Medically Fragile Children, Inc., has corporate offices in Snellville, Ga. It obtains all its resources from donations, grants and fund raising activities. Event tickets are $250 each. Anyone sponsoring a table of 10 ($2500) will sponsor a race car driver or Dream House representative and their guest. Ticket information is available at http://www.registereasy.org/burgess or call 1-678-248- 3186. # # #
For more information about Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: Gotham City Racing.
About ProCare Rx:
Roger and Barbara Burgess founded ProCare Rx in 1988 to provide prescription drug claims processing, clinical services and support for any organization that provides a Prescription Drug Benefit to its employees or members. Clients include self-insured businesses, unions, hospices, worker compensation plans, local and county governments, health maintenance organizations, associations and other insurance plans.
Today, after almost 20 years in business, ProCare Rx is one of the largest privately held Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and administrators in the United States, experiencing 19 straight years of continual growth. The company works with pharmacies and prescription drug manufacturers to ensure that clients save money while managing the health of their members thru the application of innovative technologies and population health services directed to all members, with focus on those with chronic conditions.
ProCare Rx ProCare Rx - Better, Faster, Cheaper & Customized!
Our Proud Associate Sponsors:
A&R Transport: A&R Transport Home Page
Oakley: Official Site for Oakley Sunglasses, Goggles, Shoes, Watches and Apparel
The Hyperbaric Therapy Center: Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Chamber
Lend America: Nationwide, direct lender, Lend America offers mortgages, loans, with little to no money down, quick loan process
Lend America a National Mortgage Banking Organization and one of New York's largest privately owned direct lenders, has proudly served the residential mortgage marketplace for more than 20 years. The company is one of the most successful direct-to-consumer lenders in the United States and is the region's largest and most well known FHA direct lender. Lend America is also the originator of the successful nationwide broadcast-television educational seminar programs titled "The Mortgage Insider." Lend America offers a wide range of home purchase and refinance programs to meet their clients' individual requirements. Lend America employs approximately 650 employees and is headquartered in Melville, New York. For more information on Lend America, visit Nationwide, direct lender, Lend America offers mortgages, loans, with little to no money down, quick loan process or call (877) 4-RACE LOAN.
Gotham City Racing supports Autism Awareness through their support of the Hyperbaric Therapy Center. A 2007 Centers for Disease Control report found that 1 in 150 children in America today have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and an estimated 1.5 million Americans and their families are now affected. Autism is a national health crisis, and Gotham City Racing is working to help educate the public about ways they can get involved.
Visit the Heal Autism Now website for more information about how you can get involved: www.healautis mnow.org
Two-time Funny Car Champ Happy to Drive Again
Second race for Gotham City Racing
ATLANTA (April 24, 2008) Frank Hawley wasn't listed in the 1982 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series media guide. He was, at the time, a rookie Funny Car driver from London, Ontario, Canada.
A year later, however, the upstart from across the border had guaranteed himself perpetual mentions in ensuing yearly updates. How? He stunned the Funny Car field by winning the championship, ending the three-year reign of Raymond Beadle and outlasting seasoned veterans Don Prudhomme, Billy Meyer and Kenny Bernstein.
For an encore, Hawley came back and captured a second consecutive championship, winning four races and easily outdistancing runner-up Mark Oswald, third-place Bernstein and a newcomer to the Funny Car top 10, John Force.
Hawley's ride was the fabled match-race car the Chi- Town Hustler, owned by John Farkonas, Pat Minick and Austin Coil, who also did the tuning. Coil, as drag racing fans know, later went to work for Force and earned 14 more - and counting - season titles.
Meanwhile, Hawley brought his dream of starting a drag racing school to life when Frank Hawley's NHRA Drag Racing School opened its doors in 1985. Hawley stepped away from active competition in 1992 and into the life of a driving instructor.
"This is the school's 23rd year," Hawley says with justifiable pride. "We've literally had thousands of people go through the school and continue to do so. It seems to be the place to go now for almost anybody trying to get into the alcohol or professional (drag racing) ranks. Most of the tour drivers you see getting into the pro cars have spent time with us.
"I enjoy it tremendously," he continued. "I have never lost my interest in helping share with the drivers the stuff I've learned over the years."
He apparently didn't misplace his desire to drive a race car during those years, either. Hawley will be making his second appearance of the 2008 POWERade Series season at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, April 25-27, driving the ProCare Rx Dodge Charger R/T for Gotham City Racing co-owners Roger Burgess and Mike Ashley.
Hawley's first competitive venture in 16 years came in his hometown of Gainesville, Fla., last month. Gainesville Raceway also is the site of Hawley's driving school. Limited by rain to two qualifying runs, Hawley qualified 11th (4.916 seconds at 319.60 mph) and found himself in a unique position.
His first-round rival was Jack Beckman, one of his driving school instructors. Beckman won with a 4.866- second time to Hawley's 4.898.
"It is exciting to be competing again," said Hawley. "My last competitive run (before Gainesville) was in 1991 when I drove Darrell Gwynn's Top Fuel car. "To be honest, it kind of surprised me because I'm enjoying it more that I thought I might. Mike and Roger have a great group of people working for them. They are very supportive of me and are committed to the work they do."
Hawley tested last week at Indianapolis. "The test went well," he said. "It was the first time the (O'Reilly) Raceway Park track was used this year, but the ORP staff did a wonderful job of preparing it. We were limited as to how fast we could go, and we did spin the tires, but it was further down the track and we got a couple of decent runs in. It was a brand new car and it went straight and handled very well. The guys did a fabulous job of putting it together and we were very pleased with the test session.
"I'm really enjoying the car. I haven't had a chance to drive it a lot yet, but I think that given enough time, I'll do a pretty good job at it. It's a great opportunity for me to step into a good car right off the bat. That makes my job getting back in the driver's seat a bit easier."
Hawley already has one victory at Atlanta Dragway (1983) and he was runner-up in his first visit in 1982. He collected seven race wins in Funny Car and two in Top Fuel in his previous endeavors. But that was the first chapter of his drag racing career. Now, he is eagerly awaiting his first qualifying runs Friday at Atlanta Dragway early in chapter two.
"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "It was great we got an opportunity to test. It gave the crew chiefs, Aaron Brooks and Ray Centorbi, confidence going into the race.
"I try not to set an unrealistic expectations other than I think our team should be as prepared as we could possibly be, and we have the attitude that if we do all the tasks that are laid out for us to the best of our ability, we are going to see very, very good results in Atlanta.
"I guess we are going to find out soon."
Notes&Quotes - Hawley's current race schedule calls for selected events, but, "One of the main things we are working on is acquiring funding for the race team that would enable us to run all the remaining races," Hawley said. "My team isn't going to race all the time, but if we get hooked up with the right partner, we'll be racing all the time." . . . Hawley is joining teammate Melanie Troxel for a visit to Dream House for Medically Fragile Children Tuesday in Snellville, Ga. Troxel is driving a special Dream House-themed Dodge Charger R/T for the event. "We are proud to be part of this Dream House experience with Melanie," Hawley said.
Burgess and Ashley have organized a special fund- raising event to benefit Dream House. The dinner - at Chateau Élan in Braselton, Ga. - is scheduled Saturday night, April 26, 6:30-11:30 p.m. NHRA driving stars will be meeting and greeting race fans. Drag racing memorabilia will be auctioned during the evening . . . Dream House for Medically Fragile Children, Inc., has corporate offices in Snellville, Ga. It obtains all its resources from donations, grants and fund raising activities. Event tickets are $250 each. Anyone sponsoring a table of 10 ($2500) will sponsor a race car driver or Dream House representative and their guest. Ticket information is available at http://www.registereasy.org/burgess or call 1-678-248- 3186. # # #
For more information about Gotham City Racing, visit the team website: Gotham City Racing.
About ProCare Rx:
Roger and Barbara Burgess founded ProCare Rx in 1988 to provide prescription drug claims processing, clinical services and support for any organization that provides a Prescription Drug Benefit to its employees or members. Clients include self-insured businesses, unions, hospices, worker compensation plans, local and county governments, health maintenance organizations, associations and other insurance plans.
Today, after almost 20 years in business, ProCare Rx is one of the largest privately held Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM) and administrators in the United States, experiencing 19 straight years of continual growth. The company works with pharmacies and prescription drug manufacturers to ensure that clients save money while managing the health of their members thru the application of innovative technologies and population health services directed to all members, with focus on those with chronic conditions.
ProCare Rx ProCare Rx - Better, Faster, Cheaper & Customized!
Our Proud Associate Sponsors:
A&R Transport: A&R Transport Home Page
Oakley: Official Site for Oakley Sunglasses, Goggles, Shoes, Watches and Apparel
The Hyperbaric Therapy Center: Hyperbaric Therapy Center - Hyperbaric Chamber
Lend America: Nationwide, direct lender, Lend America offers mortgages, loans, with little to no money down, quick loan process
Lend America a National Mortgage Banking Organization and one of New York's largest privately owned direct lenders, has proudly served the residential mortgage marketplace for more than 20 years. The company is one of the most successful direct-to-consumer lenders in the United States and is the region's largest and most well known FHA direct lender. Lend America is also the originator of the successful nationwide broadcast-television educational seminar programs titled "The Mortgage Insider." Lend America offers a wide range of home purchase and refinance programs to meet their clients' individual requirements. Lend America employs approximately 650 employees and is headquartered in Melville, New York. For more information on Lend America, visit Nationwide, direct lender, Lend America offers mortgages, loans, with little to no money down, quick loan process or call (877) 4-RACE LOAN.
Gotham City Racing supports Autism Awareness through their support of the Hyperbaric Therapy Center. A 2007 Centers for Disease Control report found that 1 in 150 children in America today have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and an estimated 1.5 million Americans and their families are now affected. Autism is a national health crisis, and Gotham City Racing is working to help educate the public about ways they can get involved.
Visit the Heal Autism Now website for more information about how you can get involved: www.healautis mnow.org
