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Sarah Edwards Hanna Motorsports

Sarah Edwards

Sarah Edwards

Sarah Edwards is a 23-year-old drag racer from Stamford, CT.  After her Dad heard a radio ad, her supportive parents took Sarah to Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ, her first time to any motorsports event, for what they saw as a chance for a little 'family fun'.  The sensation that filled Sarah’s twelve-year-old body watching the 'Queen of Diamonds' Jet Dragster exceed the speeds of 300 MPH in a ¼ mile filled her head with a dream.

Since those childhood visits to Old Bridge Township’s Raceway Park, she has followed her dream, and her pursuit of drag racing.  After graduating high school, in July of 2010, Sarah attended Frank Hawley’s Drag Racing School.  After a two-day class, at the age of 18, she received her NHRA Super Comp License.

In the summer of 2012, the family purchased a Mullin dragster, and Sarah formed 'Queen Bee Racing', consisting of Sarah, her Dad Scott wrenching, her boyfriend Steve handling the electrical/computer chores, and Mom Lisa making sure the team stayed focused.  Their team started actively competing at Atco Dragway (NJ) in the Top Dragster & Super Pro Classes.

In the past two seasons she has dropped into the mid-7's ET-wise, at over 180 MPH, and with that she earned her Advanced ET license in the summer of 2014. The team competes in all the major comp events at Atco, some being 2-3 days in length.  

In addition to earning her upgraded NHRA License, Sarah went on to earn her Associates Degree in Interior Design from Norwalk Community College.  During the weekdays, Sarah works with an Interior Designer in her hometown of Stamford, CT as well as for a construction company, doing administrative work. When Friday rolls around she now turns the fabrics and paint swatches in for a helmet and jet engine. "I'm ecstatic about joining the race team I once only dreamed of being a part of, Hanna Motorsports Jets", stated Sarah.  "Rich, Al, and Ellen have welcomed me, and this definitely is an opportunity I plan to make a reality".  

GOJO and Hanna Motorsports

The “First Strike” Firebird of driver Rich Hanna is the current “World Speed and ET Record Holder” in the Jet Funny Car category. This jet-engine drag racer is sponsored by the company behind America’s #1 Brand of Heavy Duty Hand Cleaner, and now known as the GOJO Firebird.

View the video below to find out more about this exciting car, the entire Hanna Motorsports race team and how GOJO and Hanna Motorsports have come together to provide thrilling racing action for spectators at events in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Get a behind the scenes look at the Hanna Motorsports Team and Rich Hanna, driver of the GOJO Firebird.

GOJO Funny Car 2016 Race Schedule
About Hanna Racing

Hanna Motorsports, Enfield, CT, is a 47-year professional exhibition drag race company. Hanna Motorsports is dedicated to safety, showmanship, and performance in fielding three of the finest professional exhibition machines in the nation.

The Hanna Motorsports team cars, the ”GOJO Firebird”, driven by Rich Hanna, the “Top Secret” Firebird, driven by Ken Hall, and the “Queen of Diamonds” 300 MPH Jet Dragster, driven by Jill Canuso, are recognized as one of the top teams in history.

Hanna Motorsports was incorporated in 1978 by President Al Hanna and wife, Ellen. Having been in professional motorsports since the mid-60’s, the Hanna’s made the decision to operate as an organized business from that moment through today. Along with Al and Ellen, sons Scott and Rich joined the program with support, and a ton of hard work.

Al & Ellen Hanna are both “Hall of Fame” members in New England. Since the inception of the very first Hanna Motorsports machine, Hanna Motorsports has fielded nearly 50 professional drag race cars in multiple categories including Top Fuel Dragster, Nitro Funny Car, Jet Dragster, Jet Funny Car, and Super Stock.

Hanna Motorsports’ jets continue to lead the pack in the jet car category. The three-car team of the fastest and quickest jets in the nation, if not the world, continues to astound fans everywhere. We are proud to represent ‘GOJO Industries’, the leader in Heavy Duty Hand Cleaner worldwide.

Hanna Motorsports Bios

Al and Ellen Hanna

Al and Ellen Hanna are the principles of Hanna Motorsports. Married 52 years, this dynamic duo was inducted into the Orientals/New England Dragway ‘Hall of Fame’. Al received a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ from NHRA in 2014, and is a member of the ‘East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame’. Al and Ellen share a love of cars, which is not surprising seeing as Hanna Motorsports has fielded more than 50 professional cars in multiple categories including Top Fuel, and Nitro Funny Car, and remains a leader in the jet car category. Al and Ellen’s proudest accomplishments are thei two sons, Scott and Rich, and their 11 grandchildren.

2016 marks Al Hanna’s 50th anniversary in the sport of drag racing!

Rich Hanna - Hanna Motorsports

Rich Hanna

Rich Hanna

World Record Holder - Jet-Propelled Champion 
Rich Hanna launches his jet-propelled ‘GOJO Firebird’ Pontiac Jet Funny Car down a quarter-mile blacktop track at speeds which have reached his world record of 295.08 miles an hour. That works out to nearly five miles per minute!

How does it feel being behind the wheel of a jet thrust-driven race car? A little scary at first, the Pratt & Whitney teardown inspector and jet engine machinist admits.

Yes, Rich works at a jet engine plant when not behind the wheel of his GOJO Firebird. His is a sport not for the weak of heart. Rich sustains four positive G forces at takeoff and hits top speed in just a quarter mile. It takes a brake and a chute to stop him at 6 Gs as he decelerates.

His demanding schedule has taken Rich and his top-notch team all over America and to Canada, Brazil and Puerto Rico. Indispensable team members include his father, Al Hanna, and crew chief Jeff Robillard.”Every person has his job,” says Rich. “Preparing for the next run requires focus and precision.” Not to mention steady nerves and a dash of courage. Rich’s most important steadying influence is his family—wife, Jen, and his kids JR, Alan and Megan.

Ken Hall Hanna Motorsports

Ken Hall

Ken Hall

“Top Secret” Pontiac Firebird Jet Funny Car
Ken Hall grew up working as pit crew on his father’s alcohol FC, the “Shenandoah”, and also behind the scenes at his hometown track, Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, PA. Ken was touring with this father’s blown coupe in the “Hot Rod from Hell” when he eventually took over those driving duties at 27. He was a natural behind the wheel.

More recently, he has been a member of the NHRA “Safety Safari.”

In 2001, Al and Rich Hanna were looking for a driver for their “Top Secret” Jet Funny Car. Ken fit the profile needed to drive the “most technologically advanced” Jet Funny Car in the world. Not only is he a great driver, he is wonderful with the fans. He was licensed in early 2002, and has been thrilling fans nationwide ever sense.

Ken has aspirations for the future to drive a Nostalgia front engine fuel dragster and be a motorsports broadcaster. His vibrant personality and drive will make those both obtainable goals.