CARS GLOBALMAG October 2016 | Page 82

T H E M A N A N D T H E M U S TA N G Vaughn Gittin Jr’s first Formula Drift title came in 2010, and since then the 35-year-old has showed no sign of taking his foot off the gas. With an enviable trophy collection, which includes three World Drift titles, and the auspicious honor of being the first American to ever win a D1 Grand Prix event on Japanese soil; when Vaughn talks about drift, it’s time to listen. 2016 has been no different. At the wheel of a redesigned version of his signature Ford Mustang RTR - JR - as he is affectionately known to his friends and team - looks set to lift the season-ending silverware come the final event in just under a month’s time. With all the action focused on his Formula Drift championship campaign stateside, you would forgive JR for not venturing to European shores. Not so though. The first September week-end saw JR make tracks for the sell-out World RX of France, to give a slice of sideways Americana to the sun-scorched Lohéac crowds. “I’m doing awesome. I’m coming to the tail end of the craziest three months of travel this year, but everything I’ve been dreaming and working my ass off for is happening. It’s been an intense time of just having my head down and go-go-go. From Formula Drift, to doing demos, and the new RTR launching on November 1st. It’s been insanity, but I’m all smiles!”