Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School is one of the best in the world at teaching drivers the sport.

And, participating in Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School in Gainesville, Fla., has become a family tradition for the Rodgers family.

Terry Rodgers, his son Richard and grandson, Kevin all went through Hawley’s school driving Super Comp Dragsters. Kevin completed the school last month.

Back in 1987, Terry, a financial advisor from Orlando, Fla., and drag racing fan, attended Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School as a gift from his wife for his 40th birthday.

“For me it was fantastic,” Terry said. “It was just pure fun like going back to your high school reunion or something. The key for me was Frank Hawley was the same guy who taught us all. I was able to come up and greet him and tell him I was in one of his classes 33 years before. I told him we had three generations of our family go through his school and he didn’t think it had ever happened before.

It’s amazing how much I recalled going through the school and it was one of my favorite birthday gifts I have ever received in my life. I got hooked on cars when I was younger and to be, when I 40 years old, (go to Frank Hawley’s school) and sit in the car and go from zero to 150 mph in nine seconds was phenomenal. It was a thrill ride. I saved all my literature from Frank Hawley’s school and in one my comments, I wrote, the last quarter-mile run was absolutely the best nine seconds in my life.”

Terry said his experience at the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School carried with him into his everyday life.

“Concentration and focus were definitely requirements in making the right decisions at the right time, in such a short period of time, and it was indescribable. It was a stimulus if you will that re-energized my whole thought process and it made me believe I could do things I didn’t think I could do, and it got me through my career.”

When Richard graduated from law school in 1995, he accepted the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School gift from his father.

“Richard did so well at Frank Hawley’s school I was afraid he wasn’t going to use his law degree and get into cars,” Terry said. 

Having the Frank Hawley Drag Racing School become a family tradition is something Richard was proud of.

“It was cool,” said Richard, who is an attorney. “We got to talk to Frank about it and get a picture with him with all three generations. My mother bought it for my father, and they thought it might be something neat I might like for graduation and I returned the favor for my son.  It is a once in a lifetime memory. I still have pictures of when I did it in my office. We pulled out the old-time slips, and my dad had his material from the Frank Hawley school, and we looked at the different types of photos. It was something to behold when you have that engine sitting there behind you and it created a memory for me that I will never forget.”

Like his grandfather and father, Kevin was thrilled to go through Frank Hawley’s school.

“When my parents told me, I was getting to go to Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School I was super excited,” Kevin said. “I knew getting to drive a dragster and continue the tradition would be a special experience. Being able to listen to Frank’s knowledge and experience during the class was a great opportunity in itself.  Not only do his lessons apply to driving a race car, but they can also be applied to everyday life.”

Hawley was appreciative of the fact the Rodgers made history at his drag racing school.

“We’ve had many second-generation drivers attend the school, but this is a milestone, three generations!” Hawley said.  “It’s quite a compliment to have mothers and fathers believe in our programs so much to keep sending their kids. We feel very blessed to have earned their trust.

“Many thanks to the Rodgers Family for letting us help you make these lifelong memories!”