Vaughn Gittin Explains Why He Partnered With Nitto Tires

KryptonKnight · **Posted:** Fri Feb 01, 2013 8:52 pm

Vaughn Gittin Explains Why He Partnered With Nitto Tires

If you are a drifting fan, you’ve probably heard that after being with Falken Tire for the past 9 years, multi-series drift champion Vaughn Gittin, Jr. announced a new tire sponsorship with Nitto for the 2013 season. Most of the industry suspected a split when at the 2012 SEMA Show Vaughn was missing from the Falken team release. Last Tuesday when the news was finally confirmed, the drifting community was most curious as to why.

The redundant PR friendly answer posted everywhere raised speculation on his decision, “I made a decision to go in a different direction that made more sense for our future goals.” In interviewing Vaughn, we discovered that it really was just a goal-oriented move. JR wasn’t shy about discussing why he parted ways with Falken and even initiated to conversation, “I don’t mind talking about it because there is no bad blood and it’s really not a big deal.”
Although he appreciates the opportunities afforded to him through his long-lasting relationship with his first big sponsor, he just felt that Nitto was more aligned with his career choices as they stand today. Which breeds the question, what are his 2013 goals? Turns out, JR just wants to drift the world and he chose ALL of his 2013 partners, including Nitto Tire, with that purpose in mind.

“There is more out there than Formula Drift,” Gittin explains. That doesn’t mean that Formula Drift fans are at risk of losing one of the most beloved drivers in pro drifting, because JR has no plans on leaving the series or drifting—for a very long time. “I’m not bored with drifting, so I am not pushing to move into another motorsport or anything,” Gittin says, “I just want to spread out into places like China, Europe, and Japan.” Gittin views traveling abroad as a way to help the sport progress, “Drifting is what I love. I love the scene and love what it is about. I want help make it an awesome sport for the next generation.”

Although JR’s split with Falken promoted him to team owner in addition to his regular job as a driver, he’s not even a little bit nervous. He will be driving his “personal” car, which is a clone of his former professionally prepared Mustang RTR, but other than that, not much else has changed. He still has his team members and engine builders, ASD, by his side, and he finds comfort in that.

As far as the new Monster Energy Nitto Tire Mustang RTR livery goes, we got nuttin’. He wouldn’t spit it out. We tried to dig for clues by asking him his favorite color. He answered with blue, but quickly declared that it would not be the color debuted at his first public event drifting on Nitto’s NT05s at the St. Louis Auto Show January 24-27. Gittin did, however, share his excitement in having his race car reflect his personal style for the first time in his pro career. On that same note, JR confirmed all new team swag and a brand new HPI RC Drift car coming soon.
All in all, it looks like the whole world is on the horizon for JR, his team, and his sponsors. When asked if he expects to win Formula Drift on Nitto Tires next year he responds, “Success is a side effect of passion, and if you are fortunate enough to be passionate about something that you can turn into a living, you are winning.” In that case, Vaughn Gittin, Jr. is definitely winning.

6-71 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:19 am

So it was about money in the money and letting it hang out.

Red Baron · **Posted:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 12:08 pm

Seems that Vaughn Gittin Jr. is at a time and place in his career where he can shape his own future. He has created his own Brand, himself and like other successful drivers is becoming a team owner. Think of Tony Stewart as an example.

Up to now he has had to defer to being just the driver and personality to attract sponsors like Ford and Falken. While that has many benefits, the sponsorships still made him an employee so to speak.

As the owner of his own team he is in a better position to seek out sponsors to expand his vision of entering other events and traveling to different countries. He now has more control of his future.

Nine years with Falken as a sponsor is a good run and I'm sure that it was mutually beneficial for all parties. Nitto may have more of a following in the Asian countries and they were obviously hoping to find a world class drifter like Vaughn Gittin Jr. to promote their tires. Companies become sponsors to promote their products and give them increased credibility.

I'm excited for Vaughn that he has become a team owner as it bodes well for his future as a driver and as a businessman when he decides to turn the driving over to others sometime down the road.

Midnight Blue
MCOM Treasurer-Historian

6-71 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 02, 2013 5:33 pm

honestly I never thought drifting would ever becoming a real sport. I was watching and doing drifting in Japan in the late 80 and early 90's outside Yokohama down in the industrial park in Namiki. It was guys and gals how pretty nice cars and keeping a full set of rear tires in the trunk and back seat for a night of drifting in the streets.

I'd like to meet Vaughn and have him scare the crap out of me and tell him our tales of the early drifting in Japan that has come to be what it is now.

Red Baron · **Posted:** Sun Feb 03, 2013 5:20 pm

Vaughn is a member of our club and has attended a meeting and was the sole attraction at the Bob Davidson Car Show in September.

His schedule being as busy as it is keeps him from coming to too many of our meetings. Drifting has grown from a side attraction at car shows to a real sport where the drivers actually need a lot of skill and a lot money to particpate! :banana2:

Midnight Blue
MCOM Treasurer-Historian

6-71 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 03, 2013 8:58 pm

I had no idear he from Nap town! Yes now it is about money now and when I was learning it was simple cars and now it is hi-HP cars and rubber is hella expensive. I hope I can meet Mr. Gittin if he shows up at Bob Davidson in 13.

Dansgt · **Posted:** Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:48 pm

I did email Vaugh and tried to get him to our next meeting but is very busy. since he lives so close to the meeting location. i met Vaughn at the 45th Mustang Anny in Alabama and put on a really fantasic show. at the time i met him i didn't know we only lived 10 from each other. really nice person. glad he chose a Mustang to drift in. Hope he has a great 2013 season coming up.

Great White · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:58 pm

This means I will have to buy the new limited edition drift car! I have the 2011 Limited Edition RC Drift car, and it is a blast to play with. Also Vaughn signed the body of the car, so its a Collectors Item!

6-71 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:35 pm

Drifting is so much more fun in a real car where you can feel and also try and work the throttle and e-brake without totally going 360 or worse. I thonk the worst thing was having a un-H/P motor because I over gased it and would normally 360 it and once that motion starts and to drop all power it is hard to recover anything except embarrassment. But that was a long time ago when I was young and dumb :banana2:

Mustang Club of Maryland

Vaughn Gittin Explains Why He Partnered With Nitto Tires

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