It was a momentous event as Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing Faculty hosted three generations of Kalitta household racers in July of 2023 and enabled the most recent group to fast-track their very own drag racing careers.
Held on the iconic Summit Motorsports Park facility in Norwalk, Ohio, Hawley’s common NHRA Tremendous Comp dragster licensing course welcomed future stars of the game, veteran NHRA High Gas competitor, Doug Kalitta’s 22-year-old son, Mitchell, the late multi-time NHRA High Gas champion Scott Kalitta’s 23-year-old son, Colin, and 28-year-old Kalitta Motorsports’ Advertising and marketing Supervisor, Luke Fath.
The well-known Florida-based drag racing dynasty additionally shocked Faculty workers and attendees, as Doug introduced his uncle, the legendary “Bounty Hunter” Connie Kalitta, alongside for a go to. Kalitta, a storied NHRA High Gas competitor with an inventory of accolades a mile lengthy together with being inducted into the Motorsports Corridor of Fame of America in addition to the first-ever recipient of the NHRA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, appreciated seeing the household custom he began being handed down.
“After I was a child, I had images of Connie’s High Gas vehicles on my bed room wall. I at all times needed to turn into an expert drag racer,” remembered Frank Hawley, the Faculty’s proprietor. “Having each Connie and Doug there was a deal with for everybody.”
Mitchell, Colin, and Luke all loved driving the Faculty’s Tremendous Comp dragsters and did fairly properly. “They’d enjoyable and it was good to get them extra seat time,” mentioned Doug, who graduated from Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing Faculty a few years in the past. “Frank [Hawley] is the most effective at instruction and does an awesome job. I’d extremely advocate his Faculty to anybody that wishes to drive any kind of drag automotive.”
Though each Mitchell and Colin had pushed Junior Dragsters beforehand, the younger males have been astonished by how rapidly the full-size vehicles accelerated compared. Luke, too, benefitted from the eye-opening expertise from a distinct perspective and walked away with a greater understanding of what goes on behind the wheel.
“I’ve been round High Gas vehicles since I used to be 12 years outdated and have at all times seen Tremendous Comp vehicles within the lanes, however it was intimidating to get within the automotive and put it on the transbrake and let go of the button,” Luke shared of how he garnered a complete new respect for Sportsman drivers when he felt the joys of pace for himself. Plus, having his mentors Doug and Connie standing by watching made it a reasonably surreal scenario general. “This actually modified the best way I view what these guys do. It’s addicting.”
There’s a particular curiosity for the subsequent technology of Kalitta males to proceed their very own drag racing careers, so it’s not unlikely they could find yourself again at it if the fitting scenario turns into obtainable. “It was nice to have Mitchell, Colin, and Luke attend our program,” famous Frank. “All of them did an awesome job and I sit up for seeing them get an opportunity to go racing.”
Everybody in attendance, together with Connie, preferred their time on the observe. “Connie was impressed with what Frank’s received occurring and what he did for the three boys,” added Doug.
Seats in Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing Faculty programs are restricted and promote out rapidly. To order, please name 866-480-7223! For extra info on all upcoming class dates and areas, go to www.FrankHawley.com.
