Vaughn Gittin Jr. Expands Formula Drift Team With Second Mustang

For years, Vaughn Gittin Jr. has taken on the Formula Drift world as a solo artist with great success. Today we learned that Vaughn will add a second Mustang to his RTR Motorsports team for the 2017 season. Chelsea DeNofa, who won last season’s Formula Drift Streets of Long Beach, will pilot the second 2017 Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-D this year.

“Twenty sixteen was an amazing year for myself and our team,” said Vaughn. “We battled for the championship all year and had a lot of hard-fought battles, some great event wins, and a third overall finish. This year we’re coming back stronger than ever with a two-car team with Chelsea [DeNofa] manning the wheel of the BC Racing Nitto Tire Mustang RTR Spec 5-D. He’s an incredible driver, and a fellow Fun-Haver, who I’ve have had some serious battles with on the track. His aggressive driving style and never give up attitude makes him a perfect addition to the team. The entire team cannot wait to get to Long Beach for round one!”

In addition to drifting, 28-year-old veteran Chelsea has a history of road racing, stunt driving and more across the globe, so you can see how he is an ideal foil for the Ultimate Fun Haver. As such, both cars will be adorned with freshened liveries—featuring mixed paint, vinyl, gloss, satin, matte finishes—to embody the personalities of the two drivers.

Joining the Ultimate Fun Haver for his 2017 drift campaign is 28-year-old Chelsea DeNofa (right), winner of last season’s Streets of Long Beach event.

“Becoming a part of RTR Motorsports is not only an amazing feeling, but extremely rewarding,” said Chelsea. “Racers set goals in their careers and one of mine was joining — what I believe to be — the best team in Formula Drift. It is a dream come true and I am ready to live it!”

Like Vaughn’s Monster Energy Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-D, a 9,000-rpm, Ford Performance/Roush Yates Engines RY45 small-block will also power Chelsea’s BC Racing Nitto Tire Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-D. Both cars are fitted with BC Racing coilover suspensions and shod with Nitto NT05 rubber.

Vaughn and Chelsea will enter into competition together with their Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-Ds for the first time in the Formula Drift series at the Streets of Long Beach on April 1.

While both cars will feature the same hardware configurations, the liveries are designed to reflect the unique personalities of the two drivers.