BALTIMORE, Md. (August 31, 2011) – Vaughn Gittin Jr. and the Monster Energy Falken Tire Ford Mustang came to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for Formula Drift Round 6 in hopes of a podium finish, just as he had obtained at this very same venue in the 2010 season. After qualifying high and making it all the way to the top 16, unfortunately Vaughn made a serious mistake in one of his runs, taking himself out of the competition.
The intense Vegas heat was no match for Vaughn’s skillful driving throughout the weekend, as he managed to put down a 5th place qualifying run and would be paired with Cyrus Martinez in his top 32 battle. Vaughn led first and entered at 92 MPH before putting the rear of the Monster Energy Falken Tire Mustang right up against the wall of the rear-clipping zone. Vaughn finished off the course with major speed and angle, while Martinez struggled to stay close to the Mustang. Vaughn gave chase next, and stuck to his competitor’s door throughout the run. Vaughn would get the win and advance on to the Sweet Sixteen. Watch the VIDEO.
Before the top 16 main event, a “Half-Time” break allowed the fans to walk the paddock, grab some swag, and meet their favorite drivers. Vaughn spent the break posing for pictures with the Monster Energy girl, challenging his fellow Falken Tire drivers, Justin Pawlak and Dai Yoshihara, in their HPI Racing E10 replica cars, and throwing out swag over at the Exedy Clutches booth. Vaughn also chatted live with the “Voice of Formula Drift”, Jarod DeAnda, keeping the Drift Stream viewers at home glued to their computer screens. Watch the INTERVIEW (1:05:20).
Back to the action on track, Vaughn met his Falken Tire teammate, Darren McNamara, in the Sweet Sixteen. Vaughn would lead first and took the Mustang right up against the wall while Darren would follow slightly more shallow. Vaughn hit the last two clipping points, while maintaining intense amount of angle throughout the course. When following, Vaughn put the pressure on his Falken Tire teammate, up until the second to last clipping point, where unfortunately he spun. The crowd at Las Vegas Motor Speedway roared in an upset, and Vaughn would be forced to end his night early. Watch the VIDEO.
“I felt incredible through practice, qualifying, and heading into the top 16,” says Vaughn. “I was focused and saw myself and the Monster Energy Falken Tire Ford Mustang on the podium come the end of the night! Unfortunately I made one small mistake and threw it away.”
Vaughn continues: “Losing never is easy and the fact that I beat myself is very tough to stomach. The unconditional support I receive from my team, partners, and fans is just incredible and helps me put events like this in the past. I am looking forward to finishing the year off with a bang at Irwindale; see you there!”
Leaving Las Vegas, Vaughn moves up one spot in points to 8th place overall. Next up for him, Vaughn heads to the “The House of Drift” Irwindale Speedway – the track that he has obtained the most victories at – for Formula Drift Round Seven. For more information about Vaughn Gittin Jr., please visit VaughnGittin.com and Facebook.com/OfficialVaughnGittinJr.