Darryl Cuttell’s buying spree isn’t over. On the final day of March, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) announced it has purchased Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing Schools. The announcement stated the purchase was done in the interest of “preserving a legendary legacy while expanding the future of driver development.”
Hawley’s schools around the country and across the globe have, for more than four decades delivered world-class straight-line driving instruction and graduated national event-winning drivers in both the professional and sportsman classes. There are in excess of 25,000 graduates that have completed a variety of programs.
With this acquisition, IHRA states it has ensured that Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School will continue to operate with its experienced staff conducting a proven curriculum, using current equipment and led by instructors that have defined the school’s success. Hawley will continue to lead his eponymous operation; the immediate change is that the school is now under IHRA ownership.
In making the announcement Hawley confirmed, “When I met Darryl Cuttell, I was very impressed with his ambitious vision to grow the popularity of motorsports around the world. Darryl is working to coalesce motorsports entertainment with other traditional forms of entertainment at IHRA facilities. Our industry has been looking for leadership like this, and we are ready to join the mission.”
Hawley also stated, “My entire life has been devoted to the sport of drag racing. I can’t think of a better way to continue the legacy of our school than under the ownership of the IHRA.”
This move by IHRA brings up the question of logistics, because many of the classes have been conducted at tracks owned by IHRA’s rival series, the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). The intent, IHRA stated is not to reinvent the program but to expand its accessibility, even as it maintains the standards that have made Hawley’s schools dominant in the sport.
Cuttell believes this purchase will preserve Hawley’s legacy while expanding access to his schools. “Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing Schools is one of the most important institutions our sport has ever known,” Cuttell stated., “This is not about changing what works; rather, it’s about protecting a legacy, investing in education and safety, and ensuring that racers at every level have access to the very best training in the world. IHRA is honored to carry this responsibility forward.”
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