Contact: Jesse Ghiorzi, 513.461.1514 (cell), jghiorzi@midohio.com
LEXINGTON, OHIO (April 4, 2012) – Oscar-nominated actor Ethan Hawke came to The Mid-Ohio School on Monday, April 2 to take part in a condensed Acura Three-Day High Performance Program.
Hawke flew in for the intense training program to prepare for a lead role in an upcoming film. The movie, tentatively titled Getaway, has started filming in Europe and Hawke will be on the set, and behind the wheel, in the coming weeks.
“This has been a great experience. I’ve learned more today than I have about anything new in a couple of years,” Hawke said. “I couldn’t be more impressed with the whole facility and particularly my trainer. He’s been amazing. I never thought we’d be able to do what we’re doing in one day, it’s really been amazing.”
Hawke began the day in the classroom before moving to a series of drills in the Honda Vehicle Dynamics Center where he developed his skills under the watchful eye of The Mid-Ohio School instructor and SPEED personality Brian Till. The pair worked on Skid Car, slalom, high speed braking and turning and autocross drills before they headed on-track for several hours of lapping and coaching.
“People in his position are used to learning roles and taking direction. So as a student, he’s been a good one, but it’s a role he’s not played before both in movies and in real life. There has been a lot of education,” said Till. “I’ve been really impressed by his ability, his desire and his method. But once again, in his profession that’s what you do.”
Hawke has appeared in over 50 films in a career spanning more than two decades. He is best known for his role in Training Day but has a number of notable credits to his name including White Fang, Dead Poets Society, Gattaca, Great Expectations, Brooklyn’s Finest and Hamlet, among others. Hawke has also written, produced and directed.
The 2012 schedule, powered by Westfield Insurance, is available online at www.midohioschool.com. Drivers and riders are welcome to enroll in over 150 dates or order gift certificates online or by calling 877-793-TMOS (8667).
The Mid-Ohio School provides professional driving and riding instruction to drivers and motorcyclists of all skill levels. The school’s 16 automobile courses include Defensive Driving, High Performance and Racing programs. The motorcycle side features four Performance Track Riding formats. Students enjoy classroom sessions, skill drills, expert private instruction and lapping on the same track that challenges the world’s top racers. In 19 seasons, The Mid-Ohio School has 46,000 graduates, including 14,500 teenagers and 9,000 motorcycle riders.