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Hey Everybody,
Now that I am an official member of the Ford Racing Family, I just want to chime in and introduce myself to everyone - especially all Ford Racing and Mustang lovers. I also want to offer some insight and connection to you traditional motorsports lovers that wonder what all this talk about “fishtailing on asphalt” is about, and invite you out to an event so that you, too, can feel the adrenaline drifting offers everyone - whether they're behind the wheel or sitting in the stands!
My name is Vaughn Gittin Jr and I am 27 years old. I am a self taught very dedicated and passionate Drifter. I'm proud to say that I have been driving the Falken Tire Ford Mustang since 2005. I am the First (and only) American to beat the Japanese drivers – the guys pretty much invented this exciting adrenaline-pumping technical sport. I made history in 2005 when I won the D1GP USA vs JAPAN contest and I just recently waved our flag proudly once again when I won the 2007 D1GP World Championship last November.
LONG STORY SHORT
I got a go cart at age 4. My father had a ton of insane hot rods throughout my childhood and I was completely in love with screaming engines and burning tires. I raced motocross in amateur ranks from age 16-20 and at age 18 I purchased a 240SX and took it to the same industrial parks I used to drive my go cart. I would go out and destroy tires doing donuts and powerslides. I learned of drifting through online videos and I immediately fell in love. Traditional racing from a spectator point of view was only exciting when there was a good head-to-head battle going on, like passing or crashes. To me, it always seemed that it would be more exciting to participate than to watch. Drifting offered both; it is all of the exciting aspects of traditional racing at all times - engines screaming, tires smoking, door-to-door high speed action, and body panels rubbing on walls. Quite simply, it is controlled chaos. Drivers appear to be completely out of control; however they have full control of their machines as they pilot their cars through specified sections of road courses. If you have a heart beat, you simply can’t keep your eyes off drifting action and it was this that attracted me to the sport. My job as an Information Technology manager helps to fund my new found addiction.
I started competing in 2004 driving the 240SX where I built a name for myself. I am known to be one of the fastest, most aggressive and smokiest drivers in America. Sometime in 2004 I caught a glimpse of what I thought was the most amazing piece of metal to leave Detroit since the '70s. I am referring to the S197 Mustang. In late 2004 I was offered the opportunity to campaign the new Mustang for the 2005 Formula Drift season (www.formuladrift.com). While I was honestly a bit nervous to get into this bigger car and compete with all of these smaller, lighter, seemingly more nimble import cars, I was up for the challenge and very proud to campaign this fine piece of American muscle. I was determined to prove the capabilities of the Ford Mustang – and to demonstrate the heart, passion and dedication of Team Falken Tire. Almost 3 years later, and two chapters of drifting history under our belt, we are all very proud and excited to start the 2008 season and continue to showcase the competitiveness of the Ford Mustang on the track. If you want to know more read my full bio at www.vaughngittin.com
The sport of Drifting seems like it was invented for the Ford Mustang.
In the 7+ years I have been drifting, almost four of them as a Mustang driver, it seems as if drifting was almost invented for the Mustang – and the Mustang owner. Loud, aggressive, and powerful ~ does this ring a bell? In drifting, cars need to be rear-wheel drive and torque is king. Today's Mustang is without question the best suited car for drifting, and offers the best performance of any Mustang to date, right off the showroom floor.
But don't be misled - it just so happens that every generation Ford Mustang offers all of the basics needed in a fun drift car. The Mustang is a car that any owner can bring to a local event and test their car control skills while having a blast smoking some tires. The talented engineers at Ford have done a great job of designing a safe Mustang for the street, favoring understeer in dangerous on-street situations. Even so, I have thousands of pictures and videos that show just how much fun a Mustang can be in controlled drifting! Of course like any other kind of motorsport there are some tweaks to get the factory car to work better as a drifter and I've included some resources at the end of this for those of you interested in having some fun!
Team Falken Tire Ford Mustang Car Specs
- Chassis-Ford Mustang factory chassis- seam welded and caged
- Drive train- 5 Liter, DOHC with Individual throttle body Injection (9000 rpm redline), dry sump oil system, 4 speed dog box transmission, Exedy twin disk clutch.
- Weight-2950 lbs
- Wheels- HRE 18x9 front 18x11 rear
- Tires-Falken Azenis RT615 255/40/18 front and 315/35/18 rear
Here are a couple of videos for you if you'd like to come along for a ride with me - to hold you over until you can jump in your own car and smoke some tires!
I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to read this. I would also like to thank everyone that has come to an event and expressed their support for me and my team, written emails and shared myspace messages. I'd especially like to thank those of you who have cheered for me and My Team Falken Tire Ford Mustang when I am screaming by the stands spraying you with rubber!!!
Please try to make it out to a Formula Drift event or any event I will be at. And when you do, make sure you stop by the Falken Tire compound and say Hi!
Please feel free to email me with any questions. I get a ton of emails but I do everything I can to answer them all! question@vaughngittin.com
All the best!
Vaughn Gittin Jr.
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