Vaughn Gittin Jr. podiums for the fourth time this season, still 1st place overall
Baltimore, MD (August 24, 2010) – Over the weekend, Vaughn Gittin Jr. was in sizzling Sin City for Formula Drift Round 5 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Going into the event, Vaughn was 1st in points overall and his #1 goal was to maintain his lead leaving Las Vegas. Vaughn not only left the event still leading the points chase for the Formula Drift Championship, but he took the 3rd place spot atop the podium in the second-ever Falken Tire sweep.
It was a scorcher all weekend, but the extreme temperatures were not going to stop Vaughn or his Monster Energy/ Falken Tire 2011 Ford Mustang from tackling the custom-built, high-speed entry course. After throwing down two impressive runs during qualifying on Friday, Vaughn ended up snagging the 5th place spot.
Saturday’s main event brought out thousands of fans, eager to check out their favorite drivers and to catch all the up-close drifting action. Vaughn was just as excited to chat with the fans, sign some autographs, slap some high-fives, and pass out some limited-edition Mustang 5.0 hats.
For the top 32 elimination round, Vaughn was paired with Drift Alliance “Ace” Brian Wilkerson. Vaughn led first, holding a solid line and maintaining angle, while Wilkerson hustled to keep up with the Mustang. When it was Vaughn’s turn to give chase, he stuck to his competitor’s door throughout the course and did not let up once. The judges awarded him the win. Vaughn would be matched with another Drift Alliance teammate, Ryan Tuerck, in his battle during the Sweet Sixteen. Vaughn led first and Tuerck tried to follow him in towards the wall, but instead took a much wider line causing him to tap the tire wall. Vaughn gave chase next and mimicked Tuerck’s every move while following close behind. The judges gave Vaughn the advantage and the win. |
In the Great Eight, Vaughn was paired with Charles Ng, who earlier took out Rhys Millen in the top 16 round. Vaughn led first with a crazy fast initiation and a ton of angle, while Ng pushed to keep up. Ng managed to catch the Mustang by the last turn, but straightened up in the process. Ng led next only to have Vaughn piling on the pressure throughout the course. Vaughn took the win and would move on to the semi-finals.
Vaughn met Falken Tire teammate Daijiro Yoshihara in the final four. Vaughn and Dai had battled previously in the season at both Round 2 in Atlanta and Round 3 in New Jersey. Both of those times Dai had come out on top, so Vaughn was determined to not let that happen this time around. Unfortunately for Vaughn, after two great runs by both drivers, Dai was once again awarded the win, while Vaughn would move into the consolation round to battle for the 3rd place spot.
Meeting him in the consolation round was fellow Mustang driver Tony Brakohiapa. After the two insane runs that Vaughn put down, it was clear that the Monster Energy/ Falken Tire Ford Mustang was just too much for Tony, and the judges awarded Vaughn the win and the last step atop the podium. Joining him on the podium for a Team Falken Tire sweep (the second Falken Tire sweep in history; the first being at Round 3 in New Jersey last season) – would be Tyler McQuarrie in 1st place and Daijiro Yoshihara in 2nd place. Vaughn remains in 1st place overall in the fight for the Championship (439 points), with Dai in 2nd place (417 points) and Tanner Foust in 3rd (386 points). With only two rounds left to go, Vaughn hopes to keep his momentum going strong in order to secure the 2010 Formula Drift Championship. Up next on the FD nationwide tour – Round 6 at Infineon Raceway, September 10-11. Vaughn has previously podiumed twice at this Northern California track, and he will be pushing to do just that again this time around. |
For more information, please visit VaughnGittin.com
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