Tag: Vaughn Gittin

Ford Mustang Teams Gear Up for Final Fight of 2014 Formula DRIFT Season at Irwindale Speedway

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Ford Mustang Teams Gear Up for Final Fight of 2014 Formula DRIFT Season at Irwindale Speedway

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• Ford Mustang driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. battling for podium finish in Formula DRIFT series

• Along with former champion Gittin Jr., past winner and Mustang driver Justin Pawlak also competing

• Ford will announce “Drift with Ford” sweepstakes winner of custom EcoBoost®-powered Fiesta ST after final 2014 Formula DRIFT event

Long Beach, Calif. – September 23, 2014 – With only one race left in the 2014 Formula DRIFT season, Ford Motor Company heads to Irwindale Speedway in California looking to finish strong in the season finale there. Vaughn Gittin Jr., in third place, and Justin Pawlak, in seventh, will compete in customized Ford Mustangs Oct. 10-11, in the final fight of the seven-event series.

“I’m really pumped to be heading into the final fight of 2014 at Irwindale Speedway,” said Gittin Jr. “While we are no longer battling for the championship, we plan to hold our ground and take third overall in the series.”

“This is something I’m really excited about, given the challenges we had to overcome this season,” he added. “The progression of drifting never ceases to amaze me, and this year has been insane with regard to the level of competition. Our Ford Mustang RTR has been fully up to the task and continues to be a performance bar-setting machine, round after round. We are looking forward to fighting hard and ending the season on the top step.”

Ford has supported drivers in Formula DRIFT since 2005, when the sport triggered a successful Ford Racing Performance Parts engine development program for a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 crate engine.

“This has been a thrilling season for Ford in Formula DRIFT,” said Mickey Matus, Ford Racing marketing communications manager. “Vaughn and Justin consistently had Ford in the hunt for the manufacturer’s cup and driver’s championship. We’re confident they will continue to show that Ford and Mustang are serious competitors, not only in the world of Formula DRIFT, but in all form of motorsports.”

Amidst the excitement of North America’s foremost professional drifting championship, Ford continues to give fans the opportunity to enter to win an EcoBoost®-powered Fiesta ST. The sweepstakes winner will receive personal drift lessons from Gittin Jr., a trip to Ford’s ST Octane Academy, and a visit to Hoonigan Racing headquarters. The last day to enter the contest online is Oct. 13 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. Anyone can enter at www.formuladrift.com while watching the hot action over the final weekend.

“Fiesta ST featuring the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is a huge hit, especially among Formula DRIFT fans,” said Steve Ling, Ford car marketing manager. “We collaborated with Formula DRIFT to create an innovative way to give one to a lucky fan. We added lowering springs, an exhaust from Ford Racing Performance Parts, Rotiform 18-inch VCE wheels, Nitto NT555 ultra-high-performance tires and a K&N intake system to make this a true, one-of-one car. We had this hot new Fiesta ST at the season opener in Long Beach and will have it at the upcoming finale in California.”

The first official drifting series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme – attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life. Highly skilled drivers maneuver high-powered cars into controlled slides at high speeds through a marked course. Judged on speed, execution and style rather than fastest time, drifting is a crowd pleaser that’s often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

The 2014 Formula DRIFT season will continue with Round 7: Final Fight at Irwindale Speedway on October 10-11. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift and Twitter @FormulaDrift.

Ford Continues Support of Formula DRIFT with Mustang Teams Running in Top-10

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Ford Continues Support of Formula DRIFT with Mustang Teams Running in Top-10

• Ford brings sweepstakes for custom EcoBoost®-powered Fiesta ST to 2014 Formula DRIFT series

• Former champ Vaughn Gittin Jr. and past winner Justin Pawlak competing in Ford Mustangs

• Gittin Jr. and Pawlak both advanced to the final eight at 2013 Monroe event

Long Beach, Calif. – July 15, 2014 – Following success in the first four Formula DRIFT events of the 2014 season, Ford Motor Company is leading the points in the manufacturer’s standings through the efforts of Mustang drivers Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Justin Pawlak, ranked third and sixth, respectively, in the driver’s championship. Gittin Jr. and Pawlak will compete in customized Ford Mustangs in Monroe, Washington, this weekend, July 18-19, in round five of the seven-event series.

“We’re excited to be first in the manufacturer standings heading into the final rounds of the 2014 Formula DRIFT season,” said Steve Ling, Ford North America car marketing manager. “Having competitive drivers who value performance as much as we do at Ford makes these last three rounds even more thrilling.”

Ford has supported drivers in Formula DRIFT since 2005, when the sport triggered a successful Ford Racing Performance Parts engine development program for a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 crate engine.

“Fans love seeing Ford involved on the track and in the paddock,” said Mickey Matus, Ford Racing marketing communications manager. “Last season, the two Mustang drivers consistently finished at the top, keeping Ford in the hunt for the manufacturers’ cup throughout its first year. Now, following Vaughn’s recent victories in rounds two and three in Atlanta and Miami, we’re confident our drivers will continue to show the Formula DRIFT world that Ford and Mustang are winners.”

Amidst the excitement of North America’s foremost professional drifting championship, Ford is giving fans the opportunity to enter to win an EcoBoost®- powered Fiesta ST. Anyone can enter the contest online while watching the hot action each weekend at www.formuladrift.com

“With only three events remaining in the 2014 season, Ford looks to continue their success and keep the lead on their way to their first manufacturer cup championship,” said Ryan Sage, Formula DRIFT vice president and cofounder. “Formula DRIFT fans can get in on the action by entering to win a custom Ford Fiesta ST during the remaining events this season.”

“The hot new Fiesta ST featuring the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is a huge hit, especially among the younger crowd,” said Ling. “So we partnered with Formula DRIFT to create an innovative way to give one to a lucky fan. We added a Ford Racing Performance Parts exhaust and some cool new wheels and touches to make this a true, one-of-one car. We displayed it at the season opener in Long Beach and will have it at the series finale in Irwindale, California in, October.”

The first official drifting series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life. Highly-skilled drivers maneuver high-powered cars into controlled slides at high speeds through a marked course. Judged on speed, execution and style rather than fastest time, drifting is a crowd pleaser that’s often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

This season’s competition features pro drivers and teams running seven events. Judged on speed, execution and style rather than fastest time, drifting is a crowd pleaser that’s often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

The 2014 Formula DRIFT season will continue with Round 5: Throwdown at Evergreen Raceway on July 18-19. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift and Twitter @FormulaD.

Formula DRIFT 2014 Round 3: Miami Heat Results

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Formula DRIFT Round 3: Miami Heat Results;
Vaughn Gittin Takes His Second Consecutive Event Victory

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Long Beach, Calif. – May 31, 2014 – Formula DRIFT entered Homestead-Miami Speedway for the first time for Round 3: Miami Heat. Vaughn Gittin, Jr. in the Monster Energy / Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR takes his second consecutive victory.

Round 3: Miami Heat entered Homestead-Miami Speedway for the first time. The Pro Championship competition highlighted a jam-packed weekend of activities that included the kick-off of the PRO 2 Series competition and Offset Kings car show.

“Homestead-Miami Speedway provided a great new venue for our Championship,” says Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “The increasingly bigger fan base was treated to some impressive driving all weekend with the first event PRO 2 Series competition and Round 3 of the Pro Championship.”

The final battle pitted Vaughn Gittin , Jr. against points leader and the number one qualifier, Chris Forsberg in the Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z. The final battle was close, but Gittin was able to out perform his rival to earn his second consecutive event victory moving into second place overall in the championship standings. Forsberg retains the lead by with a ten point margin heading into the fourth round of competition. Rounding out the podium in third place was the number three qualifier, Kenny Moen in the Achilles Radial / Bridges Racing Nissan 240SX.

“It feels really amazing to be here and come to a brand new track and work with my team to get my Monster Energy, Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR on rails to be able to hit every mark and compete with some of the best drivers in the world,” said Vaughn Gittin Jr., winner of Round 3: Miami Heat. “Back to back wins is just amazing and we are working hard and it just feels good that its paying off and I’m just pumped.”

The 2014 Formula DRIFT Championship season continues with Round 4: The Gauntlet at Wall Speedway in New Jersey on June 20-21.

Ford Returns to Formula DRIFT with Top Mustang Team and 2014 Fiesta ST Giveaway

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Ford Returns to Formula DRIFT with Top Mustang Team and 2014 Fiesta ST Giveaway

• Ford returns to Formula DRIFT with sweepstakes for custom EcoBoost®-powered Fiesta ST

• Former champ Vaughn Gittin Jr. and past winner Justin Pawlak competing in Ford Mustangs

• Gittin won the second round of the drifting event in Atlanta earlier this month

Long Beach, Calif. – May 31, 2014 – To celebrate its second year as an official sponsor of Formula DRIFT, Ford Motor Company will continue its support of Mustang drivers Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Justin Pawlak in the third round of the seven-event series in Miami, May 30-31. Ford also will host a sweepstakes in conjunction with Formula DRIFT events for a custom Fiesta ST.

“The competitiveness of Ford Mustang and the passionate fans convinced us to return to Formula DRIFT this year,” said Steve Ling, Ford North America car marketing manager. “Outsiders sometimes ask why we support Formula DRIFT so strongly. Anyone who follows the sport knows it’s the perfect place to connect with enthusiasts who value performance as much as we do at Ford Motor Company.”

Ford has supported drivers in Formula DRIFT since 2005, when the sport triggered a successful Ford Racing performance parts engine development program for a supercharged 4.6-liter V8 crate engine. This year, crowd favorites Gittin and Pawlak are competing again in customized Ford Mustangs. Gittin won round two of the series in Atlanta earlier this month, drifting his way into second place overall.

“Fans enjoyed seeing Ford’s capabilities on the track last year,” said Mickey Matus, Ford Racing marketing communication manager. “The two Mustang drivers consistently finished at the top, keeping Ford in the hunt for the manufacturers’ cup throughout its first year. Following Gittin’s recent victory in Atlanta, we’re confident our drivers will continue to show the Formula DRIFT world that Mustang is a winner.”

Amidst the excitement of North America’s foremost professional drifting championship, Ford is giving fans the opportunity to enter online to win an EcoBoost®-powered Fiesta ST. Anyone can enter the contest while watching the hot action online each weekend at www.formulad.com.

“It’s great to have Ford Motor Company back in the series again in 2014,” said Ryan Sage, Formula DRIFT vice president and cofounder. “The excitement level is at an all-time high with the news of a custom Fiesta ST to be given away at our events. Fans can expect to be blown away.”

“The hot new Fiesta ST featuring the 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine is a huge hit, especially among the tuner crowd,” said Ling. “So we partnered with Formula DRIFT to create an innovative way to give one to a lucky fan. We added a Ford Racing performance parts exhaust, some cool new wheels and touches to make this a true, one-of-one car. We plan to show it off at the Long Beach competition, at the event in Monroe, Washington, in July, and at the Irwindale series finale in October.”

The first official drifting series in North America, Formula DRIFT has taken competitive motorsports to the extreme, attracting fans and car enthusiasts from all walks of life. High-skilled and high-powered – drivers intentionally maneuver cars into controlled slides at high speeds through a marked course – this season’s competition features pro drivers and teams running seven events. Judged on speed, execution and style rather than fastest time, drifting is a crowd pleaser that’s often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.

The 2014 Formula DRIFT season will continue with Round 4: The Gauntlet at Wall Speedway on June 20-21. For more information visit: www.formuladrift.com and find Formula DRIFT on Instagram @formulad, Facebook www.facebook.com/formuladrift and Twitter @FormulaD.

Formula DRIFT Round 2: Road to the Championship Results

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Formula DRIFT Round 2: Road to the Championship Results;
Vaughn Gittin Takes the Victory

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Long Beach, Calif. – May 10, 2014 – Formula DRIFT presented by GoPro entered Road Atlanta for Round 2: Road to the Championship. Vaughn Gittin in the Monster Energy / Nitto Ford Mustang takes the victory moving him into second place in the championship standings.

Round 2: Road to the Championship marked the eleventh visit to Road Atlanta. The thousands of fans in attendance witnessed an action packed event weekend.

“It’s wonderful to see the growth in attendance each year at Road Atlanta, where we held our first Formula DRIFT event eleven years ago,” says Jim Liaw, President of Formula DRIFT. “The fans of the South are so passionate for the sport and we love coming to this venue.”

Vaughn Gittin fought his way to the top of the podium through tough competition to take his first victory of the season and move into second place in the point standings. Gittin matched up against Fredric Aasbo in the Hankook Tire Scion Racing tC in the finals. After a tightly fought battle Gittin was awarded the win. Chris Forsberg in the Hankook Tire Nissan 370Z rounded out the podium in third place to remain in first place in the championship.

“Tonight my team and I were truly one. We communicated and worked super hard,” said Vaughn Gittin, winner of Round 2: Road to the Championship. “These were some of the most hard fought battles that I remember ever having and it says a lot about our sport, where we are going and what we are doing. And I’m just super proud to be standing on the top step.”

The 2014 Formula DRIFT season continues with Round 3 on May 30-31 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.