Vaughn Gittin Jr. almost out-drifted by RC car
Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford, Celebrities, Racing
We've finally come to accept the fact that we'll never be Vaughn Gittin Jr. There can be only one one pure-bred drift hooligan of his caliber on this planet and truth be told, our sideways skills are paltry at best. That doesn't mean we can't pretend, though. Gittin Jr. has teamed up with a smattering of companies to give away five very limited-edition RC cars made up in the image of his sinister Ford Mustang GT drift machine. Only 5,000 of the HPI RC Ford Mustang cars will be produced in total, and Gittin Jr. is giving five of them away to Facebook fans.
To get the word out, Gittin Jr., K&N, Monster Energy and Falken Tire crafted a video demonstrating just what happens when the drifter can't get his hands on the scale Mustang. An epic chase ensues, with the RC car taking a little "How it's Made" tour of the K&N factory. The clip also features a few outtakes worth watching, as well. We won't spoil it for you, but we will say more than one RC car gave its life in the making of the film. Hit the jump to check out the video for yourself. If you want to enter the sweepstakes, head over to the K&N Facebook page for more information.
Continue reading Vaughn Gittin Jr. almost out-drifted by RC car
Vaughn Gittin Jr. almost out-drifted by RC car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments2011 Ford Mustang RTR
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ford, Celebrities, Quick Spins
Drift On Sunday, Sell On Monday
At the 2009 SEMA Show, Vaughn Gittin Jr. wowed us with his RTR-C Ford Mustang. With a full carbon fiber body, supercharged V8 producing 550 horsepower and a custom interior, it was easily one of the coolest modern pony cars we had ever seen. The only problem was that to buy one of your own, you'd need a six-figure sum burning a hole in your "fun money" account. That's a lot of cash for any car, let alone a Ford Mustang. The solution is the Mustang RTR, a much cheaper version of the RTR-C that's actually fairly affordable for the average sports car buyer.
The question you might be asking, though, is whether there is room in the automotive marketplace for yet another specialty Mustang. It seems a new variation comes across our desks at least once a week, and there are already endless aftermarket options for those wishing to build their own personalized pony car. Plus, many of those same Mustangs have well-established names like Shelby, Saleen and Roush emblazoned on their sides, all of whom are legends in the storied history of motorsports (and the Ford Mustang in particular).
Even so, Gittin is hoping to bring something new to the table. As a series champion and one of the most popular figures in Formula Drift, he believes that he can offer something different to a new generation of car enthusiasts. When Gitten first began competing with a Ford Mustang, he felt a disconnect between the car's aftermarket and the crowds of fans who were attending drifting events. "Since I fell in love with being behind the wheel of a Mustang in 2005, I noticed that most of the aftermarket was offering parts that were so traditional and, for the most part, not really my style - nor most of my generation's style" he told Autoblog. "I wanted to introduce something fresh and aggressive to the market that would engage a new generation of Mustang owner and appeal to traditional Mustang enthusiasts at the same time." That vision became a reality at SEMA in 2009 with the debut of his RTR-C and RTR Mustang.
Still, the question remains. Is there room for yet another Mustang tuner to enter the mix? We took a quick spin in an RTR Mustang to help find out.
Continue reading 2011 Ford Mustang RTR
2011 Ford Mustang RTR originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsThe making of Vaughn Gittin Jr’s 1969 RTR-X Ford Mustang
Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Performance, Videos, Ford
Earlier this year, we headed out to California's Willow Springs Raceway to see Vaughn Gittin Jr. play with his 1969 RTR-X Ford Mustang for the very first time. It took just a few minutes for Gittin and his pony car to get acquainted, then it was all sideways action and tire smoke for the next couple of hours.
We weren't the only ones watching Gittin that day, though. A film crew had their lenses pointed at the RTR-X as well, getting footage for a video about the making of the car. That video, produced by Team Need for Speed, has now been released, and it provides a glimpse into what it took to build the car, along with the people behind the project. There's also some great footage of Gittin doing his thing in the RTR-X at Willow Springs. To watch the video just follow the jump and hit play.
Continue reading The making of Vaughn Gittin Jr's 1969 RTR-X Ford Mustang
The making of Vaughn Gittin Jr's 1969 RTR-X Ford Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsVaughn Gittin Jr. drifts his way through the Al Reem Circuit
Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ford, Specialty, Racing
If you like Ken Block's series of Gymkhana videos, then you'll definitely want to check out Vaughn Gittin Jr's latest flick featuring his Formula Drift Mustang. Gittin was recently visiting Saudi Arabia to perform a drifting demo at an event at the Al Reem Circuit, and he decided to stick around for an extra few days to get footage of him drifting on track. The result? Awesome.
Apparently, the track officials pretty much gave Gittin free reign of the entire complex, from the pit lane to the parking lots to the front straight, so the video shows him getting his Mustang sideways in a variety of locations. There's plenty of tire smoke, wonderful sounds from the naturally aspirated 5.4L V8, and even a few smashed rear fenders. Check the video out for yourself after the jump.
Continue reading Vaughn Gittin Jr. drifts his way through the Al Reem Circuit
Vaughn Gittin Jr. drifts his way through the Al Reem Circuit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFord launching Octane Academy with Ken Block, Tanner Faust
Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford
If you're one of the hordes of internet citizens who watch videos of Ken Block, Tanner Foust, Brian Deegan or Vaughn Gittin Jr. perform various acts of insanity from behind the wheel and think you can do better, Ford is giving you the chance to prove it. The automaker has just unveiled its new Octane Academy, which will pair fans up with their favorite maniacal driver for a little on-track training.
If you want a shot at jumping into the fray, all you need to do is work up a video that shows why you're better than the rest and fit for a weekend of challenges. Contest winners will be selected to compete against other horsepower-obsessed entrants before a final champion is selected. Those who beat out the rest on their respective team will take home big prizes, including a specially-designed vehicle penned by Block, Foust, Gittin Jr. or Deegan.
The first camp gets underway in November of 2011, and the contest is currently open and awaiting your video submission. Head over to Octane Academy for more information and check out the video and press release after the jump.
Continue reading Ford launching Octane Academy with Ken Block, Tanner Faust
Ford launching Octane Academy with Ken Block, Tanner Faust originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsVaughn Gittin Jr. takes his 1969 RTR-X Mustang out to play
Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Ford
Vaughn Gittin Jr's 1969 RTR-X Mustang - Click above for high-res image gallery
Formula Drift champ Vaughn Gittin Jr. unveiled his 1969 RTR-X Mustang at SEMA last year, and since then we've been hoping to see the car in action. We're sure Vaughn's been itching to get behind the wheel, as well, and he finally got the chance yesterday when he took the RTR-X out to Willow Springs Raceway for its very first test session.
A 1969 Mustang isn't the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to drifting, but the RTR-X looked like a natural at getting sideways. Granted, this pony car has very little in common with your everyday 1969 Mustang. Under the hood is a tuned version of the Boss 302's 5.0-liter V8, and the suspension looks more like something out of Formula 1 than from a vintage muscle car. You can read more about all the features of the RTR-X after the jump, or check out our photos from the test day in the high-res gallery below.
Photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL
Continue reading Vaughn Gittin Jr. takes his 1969 RTR-X Mustang out to play
Vaughn Gittin Jr. takes his 1969 RTR-X Mustang out to play originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsVaughn Gittin Jr. takes flight in the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor [w/video]
Filed under: Performance, Truck, Etc., Videos, Ford, Celebrities
Vaughn Gittin Jr. in the Ford F150 SVT Raptor - Click above for high-res image gallery
By now, news that the Ford F150 SVT Raptor can get you over the river and through the woods to grandma's house is older than the dirt splattered down the pickup's side. Still, that doesn't mean that we're above taking a second to watch Vaughn Gittin Jr. put the FoMoCo beast through its paces. As you may recall, Gittin Jr. is the talented hellion who took the 2010 Formula Drift title, so the man knows a thing or two about stretching a vehicle to its limits and beyond.
Gittin Jr. teamed up with the crew from Wrecked Magazine to bash through the sand outside of Las Vegas when someone threw open the gates to the local CORR track. That's when things got really interesting. The drift guru set to vaulting the pickup to ever loftier heights. At one point, re-entry causes the Raptor's frame to flex enough to cause the tail gate to pop open on contact with terra firma - impressive given what this bruiser was engineered to withstand. Hit the jump to see the video for yourself.
[Sources: YouTube, Wrecked Magazine]
Continue reading Vaughn Gittin Jr. takes flight in the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor [w/video]
Vaughn Gittin Jr. takes flight in the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsSEMA 2010: Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s RTR-X Mustang
Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Performance, Ford
Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR-X Mustang - Click above for high-res image gallery
Vaughn Gittin Jr., Ford and Need For Speed have officially pulled back the cover on the wicked RTR-X 1969 Ford Mustang. Built for both street and drift duty, this car started life as a brand-spanking new Dynacorn body. Under the hood, a Ford Racing 302R V8 spins to a heavenly 8,000 rpm, churning out 440 horsepower. Outside, the vehicle's drip rails have been shaved for a cleaner look and the windshield and rear windscreen both received the flush treatment.
Massive, one-off fender flares give this pony a little extra girth and cover a set of retina-melting green Work Meister wheels. Despite the radical look, the guys from Need For Speed say that the RTR-X is a fully functional monster and that Gittin Jr., himself, will be hopping behind the wheel for drift demos soon.
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Need For Speed]
SEMA 2010: Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR-X Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsVideo: Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Rob Dyrdek create world’s first skateboard car
Filed under: Videos, Ford, Humor
Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s and Rob Dyrdek's skateboarding car - Click above to watch the video after the jump
What do you get when you mix the drifting skills of Vaughn Gittin Jr. and the shenanigans of skateboarding legend Rob Dyrdek? Why, a skateboarding car, of course. The two pair paired up for the season premiere of season three of MTV's "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory", the obvious connection being the shared sponsorship of Monster Energy Drink. Using a 2011 Mustang GT gussied up in Vaughn's drift car livery, the duo fitted a grind plate to the bottom of the car and attacked the quarter pipes and rails custom-built by California Skateparks just for the occasion.
The video of both Vaughn and Rob driving the skateboard Mustang can be seen when the show airs on MTV on Monday, July 12th at 9:30 pm ET/PT, but you can get a preview of Vaughn attempting a board slide in the video after the jump.
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading Video: Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Rob Dyrdek create world's first skateboard car
Video: Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Rob Dyrdek create world's first skateboard car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsVaughn Gittin Jr. RTR package available for 2011 Ford Mustang [w/video]
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ford
2011 Ford Mustang GT RTR by Vaughn Gittin Jr. - Click above for high-res image gallery
Vaughn Gittin Jr. is intimately familiar with extracting every last bit of performance from the Ford Mustang, so it's no surprise the FoMoCo has tapped the Formula Drifting ace to create a limited edition 'Stang for the 2011 model year.
Based on the new 5.0-liter V8 Mustang GT, the RTR package boasts a comprehensive list of upgrades, including new springs and shocks that drop the Mustang 1.5 inches over specially designed 19-inch RTR wheels each wrapped in Falken FK452 high-performance rubber. A larger rear sway bar aids rotation and cross-drilled and slotted rotors should keep things cool when hauling the massive coupe to a halt. Under the hood, the only major modification is a K&N high-flow air filter, but combined with a Ford Racing ECU tune and a set of new mufflers, the breathing mods are good for an extra nine horsepower, netting a total of 421 ponies.
On the outside, the RTR benefits from a front splitter, aluminum spoiler and a graphics package, while the interior gets a smatter of badges on the doors, shifter and floormats. The whole package will set you back $7,895 and Ford plans to offer a V6 version later this year. Head over to MustangRTR.com for more details, and make the jump for a video and the complete press release.
Continue reading Vaughn Gittin Jr. RTR package available for 2011 Ford Mustang [w/video]
Vaughn Gittin Jr. RTR package available for 2011 Ford Mustang [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments