In an annual tradition, Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels celebrated its dedicated employees, dealers, and distributors by sending them to Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School for the exhilarating Dragster Adventure Challenge. This year’s event took place on July 9, 2024, at the Summit Motorsports Park, with Dan Pack from Wheel Pros taking the top prize.

Since 1999, Mickey Thompson has partnered with Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School, supplying tires for the school’s vehicles. The Dragster Adventure Challenge, which is open to both the general public and corporate teams, allows participants to experience the thrill of driving a dragster without needing a racing license. The event is held at various tracks nationwide throughout the year.

“We have enjoyed a strong partnership with Mickey Thompson for the past 25 years,” said Frank Hawley, the school’s founder. “Giving their employees and customers the chance to drive a dragster and experience the excitement of racing is truly special.”

This year, 16 participants, including eight Mickey Thompson customers, had a blast racing down “America’s Racetrack” in a simulated competition. The event also welcomed several Goodyear employees — Mickey Thompson’s parent company — who were new to drag racing and eager to experience the sport firsthand.

“We had a great turnout from our customers and some new employees, some of whom had previous racing experience but benefited from the formal training,” said Jason Moulton, Director of Motorsports at Mickey Thompson Performance Tires and Wheels. “This event allows us to let those who work with or sell our products experience them in a real race car at a top-notch facility with one of the best schools. Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School is top-notch, and everyone always enjoys it!”

Participants received thorough instruction on driving competition-style dragsters, capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in just three seconds and reaching speeds over 130mph in the quarter-mile. The competition featured a 16-car bracket, with racers experiencing the thrill of staging side-by-side, perfecting their reaction times, and racing to the finish line.

Dan Pack, a sales representative for Wheel Pros, emerged victorious, with Goodyear engineer Joe Ciarniello taking second place. “Attending Frank Hawley’s School was an incredible experience,” said Pack. “Driving the cars and feeling the rush of speed was unforgettable. A big thanks to Mickey Thompson!”

In addition to providing a thrilling experience, the Dragster Adventure Challenge offers valuable product testing data for Mickey Thompson. “The School runs our tires in real-world settings at various tracks, providing us with feedback on how our products perform in different conditions. This helps us innovate and continuously improve,” Moulton added. The experience also allows participants to trust Mickey Thompson’s performance tires in their own racing or performance endeavors.

Together, Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School and Mickey Thompson create unforgettable experiences, offering “bucket list” moments for everyone who dreams of driving a dragster.