Vaughn Gittin Jr. Returns With New 2024 RTR Mustang

Vaughn Gittin Jr. is a name that resonates with nearly everyone in the drifting community. As one of the sport's most widely recognized drivers, he's made a name for himself by pushing the limits of what's possible on four wheels. With the recent announcement that Gittin Jr. would be getting back into competitive drifting, he partnered with RTR to build a vehicle that is just as capable as he is. Gittin Jr.'s latest competition car, a custom S650 Mustang, looks to be a beast on the track, setting Gittin Jr. and his team up well for the 2023 Formula Drift season.

Who is Vaughn Gittin Jr.?

Vaughn Gittin Jr. is a professional drift driver and founder of the RTR Vehicles brand, which produces high-performance, custom Mustang builds. Gittin Jr. began his motorsport career as a side hobby while working a full-time job, but eventually his passion for adrenaline-fueled sports led him to pursue a career as a professional drift driver.

Drifting Success

He won his first Formula Drift event in 2005 and has since gone on to become a two-time Formula Drift Champion in 2010 and 2020. He's also a regular competitor in the World Drift Series and has competed in various international events.

Gittin Jr. is known for his aggressive driving style and his ability to consistently perform high-speed drifts with precision. He has also gained recognition for his role in popularizing the sport of drifting in the United States.

We got a chance to interview Vaughn at Ford Nationals. Check out the interview below as well as a Drift Demonstration by Vaughn Gittin Jr. in the new S650 RTR Mustang.

Off-Road Racing

Vaughn is an accomplished off-road racer in addition to a champion drifter. He currently competes in the Ultra4 Racing 4400 class, which is an endurance-based off-road race over rocky desert terrain. In 2021 Vaughn won his first 4400 Ultra4 Racing Championship competing in his 2021 Ford Bronco 4400 race truck.

Vaughn Gittin Jr. has firmly cemented himself in the minds of auto-enthusiasts as one of the greatest racers of his generation as well as an ambassador for the sport of drifting to an increasingly large audience.

Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s History with the Mustang

Ford Mustangs are an integral part of Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s professional driving career. Gittin Jr. built his first Mustang for competitive drifting in 2007 when he was only 26 years old. He instantly became hooked on the feeling of power and finesse that only competition drifting could provide.

Gittin saw how powerful the stock engine of the Mustang was as a base for building a drift car, and helped create several builds on the Mustang platform that have competed at the highest levels of drifting.

Since founding RTR vehicles, Gittin Jr. has become one of the most recognized figures in the Mustang community. His passion for competition, his skill as a driver, and his commitment to developing high-performance Mustang builds has made him an iconic part of Mustang culture.

He is uniquely responsible for bringing Mustangs to the forefront of the drifting world by building an impressive resume of Formula Drift and World Drift Series Championship wins. Gittin Jr.'s iconic Mustang builds feature a livery that combines a signature mix of black and green colors, making his cars instantly recognizable to enthusiasts around the world.

RTR Mustangs

In 2010, Gittin Jr. and his team, in collaboration with Ford, introduced the RTR Mustang, a special edition Mustang that was designed specifically for drifting. The RTR Mustang features unique styling and performance upgrades that make it one of the most capable performance drift cars on the market. They even partnered with Ford to make these high-performance Mustangs officially available to enthusiasts through select dealers.

Gittin Jr.'s RTR brand has continued to produce high-performance Mustangs that are sought after by car enthusiasts around the world. RTR Mustangs boast enhanced suspension and custom stylings compared to the stock models, making them a prime purchase target for die-hard enthusiasts. Gittin Jr. continues to work closely with Ford, showcasing the power and performance of the Mustang.

We recently got a sneak peak at the new 2024 Mustang RTR package. Check out the video below for a breakdown of the package features and a test drive.

Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s Custom S650 Mustang

The S650 Mustang is the latest iteration of Ford's iconic pony car, and it's already an impressive performance vehicle straight from the factory. However, Gittin Jr. needed something that was a little bit more unique. To accomplish this, he enlisted the help of RTR Vehicles to build the ultimate drifting machine for the 2023 Formula Drift season.

The first thing that you notice about Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s 2024 RTR Mustang is its aggressive stance. The vehicle sits lower than the standard Mustang thanks to a set of adjustable suspension components. The wider fenders and aggressive bespoke body kit give the car a more muscular appearance, making it look like it is ready to attack the track. These exterior features compliment a new light blue livery, which took inspiration from photos taken by the James Webb space telescope.

Under the hood, the Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR Mustang is powered by a heavily tuned engine capable of producing more than 1,300 horsepower, which is more than enough to break traction at will. The exhaust system has also been upgraded, giving the vehicle a deeper and more aggressive exhaust note.

To ensure that the S650 Mustang is capable of handling the demands of drifting, RTR Vehicles made several modifications to the car's chassis. The vehicle is equipped with a custom roll cage, which provides additional safety and rigidity to the frame.

Inside the vehicle, the S650 Mustang is stripped down to its bare essentials. The seats have been replaced with lightweight racing buckets, and the interior has been fitted with a variety of gauges and switches. The dashboard has also been modified to accommodate a custom steering wheel and racing pedals.

What's Next for Gittin Jr. and the Mustang

With Gittin Jr.'s return to drifting, excitement to see the new RTR S650 compete is at an all-time high. RTR has put together a stellar lineup of four drivers for the 2023 calendar year, including Chelsea DeNofa, James Deane, and Adam LZ, along with Gittin Jr.

Below is the schedule for the 2023 Formula Drift season. With such incredible talent behind the wheel showcasing a beast of a drift car like the new S650 Mustang, this season is shaping up to be one of the best in years for RTR and for Mustang enthusiasts everywhere.

Want to customize your own Mustang like Vaughn Gittin? Check out our selection of RTR performance parts to start your own modification journey.

Sources: Ford and RTR Reveal All-New Mustang Formula Drift Competition Vehicles; Vaughn Gittin Jr. Returning To Compete, Ford Media Center | Ford Unveils 1,300 HP Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD Drift Monster, Highlights Electronic Drift Brake, Carscoops | RTR Motorsports Team, RTR Vehicles