Leftlane first had the opportunity to meet and speak with Vaughn Gittin Jr. at Irwindale Speedway late last year for a Formula Drift event. Leftlane was also there to witness the reveal of Vaughn’s all-new 2011 5.0 Mustang and his new co-main sponsorship by Monster Energy at the Fantasy Factory reveal event.
In true “ready to rock” fashion, Vaughn came then took his brand new racecar to the streets of Long Beach, California, where Leftlane watched him capture the season opener victory. Vaughn has managed to secure second place finishes since the opener, and now that thins have slowed down a bit, he took the time to tell Leftlane in detail about his new dealer ordered Mustang RTR.
So Vaughn, why don’t you start by telling us the back story behind the Mustang RTR – where did you find your inspiration?
Vaughn Gittin Jr.: Well, I started by taking all of my favorite things from both Japanese and European car cultures – like the front chin – which I wanted to have a very aggressive look. At the same time, I didn’t want to create something over the top, but I also didn’t want to create “just another Mustang.”
What exactly do you mean by “just another Mustang?”
Vaughn Gittin Jr.: One of the main reasons I felt compelled to create a custom Mustang in the first place was that I felt there was too much of the same thing in the market. There are so many body kits that are virtually identical you can hardly tell what is what anymore – I wanted to give people a truly unique option, something that could appeal to the youth, and the classic car guys alike.
You say that “you” wanted to create a unique Mustang – is this truly your creation, or are you just cashing in on the brand equity from your name?
Vaughn Gittin Jr.: Believe me when I tell you – the Mustang RTR is my baby, it is my brainchild. I had been longing to create something based on my vision of what a Mustang could be for a quite some time, and when the Mustang was updated for 2010 I saw the perfect canvas to reveal what I personally thought was a unique and appealing Mustang.
I was involved with every last detail, down to the wheels, lip, rear fascia – you name it, I had my hand on it. We did work with a company that had experience creating and manufacturing custom parts, Classic Design Concepts, but they were essentially there to create my vision in ways I could not.
I gave them a design and then they would advise me on what would be better for production and installation, resulting in some tweaks, but it was still very much my vision at its core – I’ve even installed the kit on two different Mustangs myself to make sure it was everything I wanted.
Your website lists the RTR as having the following changes for performance: Falken FK452 performance tires, Ford Racing shocks and lowering springs, an upgraded rear sway bar, cross-drilled and slotted brake rotors, K&N drop-in air filter, upgraded dual exhaust, Ford Racing custom tune and a net 9 horsepower gain. Anything you can add to that, extra information?
Vaughn Gittin Jr.: Well, actually there is a correction – the prototype RTR was based on the 2010 with the 4.6-liter and did have a custom tune. The 2011 Mustang RTR, which is what customers will actually be able to purchase, comes with a 421 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 without the tune – still good for a peak bump in power of 9 horsepower, not to mention an improved powerband throughout.
Also, the website lists 1.5 inch lowering springs, but there are two ride heights available: you can opt for extra low where you might have to mind the bumps, or a still-sporty drop but safer for public roads. It’s really up to what the customer prefers.
Fair enough, what about the rest of the changes in the cosmetic department?
Vaughn Gittin Jr.: The cosmetic aspect of the car is obviously what will first draw in the majority of buyers. The 2011 Mustang with the 5.0 from the factory is already a serious performer, so there really wasn’t much outside of needing to tune the brakes and suspension that was needed in that department.
What makes the RTR an RTR is the unique exterior body kit, including a front chin spoiler with a splitter…something I felt would be a refreshing change from what is out there, and it also pays homage to my drifting background. I also added side splitters and a fairly unique rear diffuser…I really like how that came out because it is unmistakeably RTR.
There is also an aluminum rear spoiler, custom produced RTR-badged 19×9.5 inch wheels, an RTR contrasting stripe package, RTR badges inside and out and RTR floor mats.
As with anything there are critics suggesting that the car isn’t extreme enough, or that the power increase wasn’t enough, what do you say to those people?
Vaughn Gittin Jr.: Look, you can’t make a car that comes in a single package that will make everyone happy, it just isn’t possible. But, that said, my goal with the RTR was to offer a truly unique Mustang that was an able performer both on the track and as a daily driver, without totally breaking the bank. For the guys that think 421 horsepower isn’t enough, they can certainly go and add an aftermarket super or turbocharger of their choice.
But I wanted the RTR to be an affordable alternative to some of the competition, which in some cases charge 50 percent more than the $7,995 upgrade fee for a comparable list of changes in their flavor.
Speaking of the “other guys” that are major players in the Mustang aftermarket, some news outlets and fans alike have compared you to Jack Roush or Carrol Shelby in their early days – what do you think about being lumped in with such revered company?
Vaughn Gittin Jr.: First and foremost, it’s a huge honor to know people would even put me in the same sentence as legends like Roush or Shelby. Both those guys obviously got their start in racing, and then built long-standing relationships with Ford based on the Mustang and have become legends in their own right.
As a professional drifter using the Ford Mustang I have also found myself in a position to be an advocate for the Mustang brand – it is both an honor and a privilege. Now, would I put myself on the same level as those two guys in terms of where the three of us stand today? Of course not, but I would love to find myself following a similar path with my career and life – and hopefully in 10, 15 or 25 years I will be able to look back and say with pride that I was to the Mustang what Roush and Shelby are today.
Switching gears, let’s talk about your drifting career and the balance of your other projects right now. With the recent addition of Monster as a major co-sponsor for your Formula Drift efforts, and now the reveal of the RTR and upcoming RTR-C, as well as being approached by the how are you dealing with the balance of training and competing with the rest of the business elements of your career?
Vaughn Gittin Jr.: (Laughs) Yeah, I have definitely have a full plate between managing the Mustang RTR, the RTR-C and the RTR-X, as well as my sponsorships, future unnamed projects and of course my professional career in Formula Drift.
Prior to picking up legitimate sponsors I was an Information Technology manager for a multi-million dollar firm by weekday, and drifter by weekend. An odd mix, I know, but it paid the bills – and more importantly – it gave me the skills and experience I needed to manage my business and career. Although I have to devote a lot of time to my projects, when a race comes up for the two weeks or so leading up to the race I have a laser focus on the race – that is my main concern.
Speaking of the RTR-C and RTR-X, why don’t we plan something for the near future to take a closer look at those two very unique cars. For now, thanks for your time, and good luck in Washington for “Throwdown” on July 9th and 10th.
Vaughn Gittin Jr.: Sounds like a plan, I’ll be sure to keep Leftlane updated on the Mustang RTR-X as she nears completion.
