The International Hot Rod Association has acquired Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, securing one of the sport’s most established training institutions while signaling a renewed focus on driver development and safety.
The move places a cornerstone of drag racing education under IHRA ownership, with the school continuing to operate under its current structure and leadership, including longtime founder Frank Hawley.
For more than 40 years, the school has trained over 25,000 drivers, producing competitors who have gone on to win national events across professional and sportsman categories. Its reputation has been built on a consistent curriculum, experienced instructors, and a hands-on approach to preparing racers for real-world competition.
That foundation will remain intact, IHRA officials said, even as the sanctioning body integrates the program into its broader vision. The acquisition reflects a calculated effort to strengthen the pipeline from entry-level racers to the professional ranks.
“When I met Darryl Cuttell, I was very impressed with his ambitious vision to grow the popularity of motorsports around the world,” said Frank Hawley. “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 in the mission.”
Hawley made it clear the transition is about continuity as much as it is about growth. He framed the move as a way to preserve what has worked while positioning the school for a broader reach.
“My entire life has been devoted to the sport of drag racing, and I can’t think of a better way to continue the legacy of our school than under the ownership of the IHRA,” Hawley added.
IHRA leadership echoed that sentiment, stressing that the acquisition is not intended to reinvent the program. Instead, officials say the focus will be on expanding access while maintaining the standards that made the school a benchmark in the sport.
“Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School is one of the most important institutions our sport has ever known,” said Darryl Cuttell. “This is not about changing what works—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.”
That philosophy aligns with IHRA’s broader efforts to rebuild and redefine its position within the drag racing landscape. By securing a proven training platform, the organization gains a direct pathway to influence the next generation of racers.
“Education is the foundation of safe, competitive, and sustainable racing,” said IHRA President Leah Martin. “Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School represents the gold standard in driver development. By bringing the school into the IHRA family, we are reinforcing our commitment to racers—giving them the tools, training, and pathways they need to grow from grassroots competition to the highest levels of the sport.”
