Nitto Welcomes Back Vaughn Gittin for 2016
Nitto Tire is bringing back their A-list drivers for the 2016 Formula Drift season, including the pilot of the Monster Energy Ford Mustang, Vaughn Gittin, Jr. He’ll be bringing out the 2016 Ford Mustang RTR for the first time in U.S. competition, while retiring the 2015 RTR. And Gittin’s not the only Nitto driver for this season; joining him are “Mad Mike” Whiddett and Pro2 sensation Alex Heilbrunn.
“We are really excited for what the 2016 Formula DRIFT season holds,” said Harry Kong, Nitto Tire U.S.A.’s events and motorsports manager. “Team Nitto now has three of the most talented drivers on the circuit with three of the most recognizable and unique cars in the sport. Everyone at Nitto can’t wait to see how Vaughn and Mad Mike will do with their new cars and how Alex will do now that his car is equipped with the venerable Nitto NT05 tire.”
While Vaughn’s 2016 RTR is an amazing 900-horsepower Roush/Yates Ford V8, Mad Mike is bringing an updated RADBUL. This Mazda MX-5 now sports the 2016 face and packs a twin-turbo, four-rotor Mazda engine producing over 1200-horsepower. Whiddett was fast last year, and he’ll be looking to back up his 2015 Fan Favorite Driver award with a championship. However, he will have to get by Vaughn, the 2010 Formula Drift Champion. Vaughn was able to take three Great Eight finishes in 2015 to Whiddett’s single Great Eight. With 900-horsepower and the brand new S550 RTR, chances are great that Vaughn will do far better in 2016.
