JACOB GETTINS ON BECOMING FD’s TECHNICAL ANNOUNCER.
Photo courtesy of Jacob Gettins.
Formula D’s New [Technical] Rapper!
Most mainstream rappers will admit, the hardest part of their craft is laying down those perfect bars. Freestyle - totally on the fly - with ease, comfort, and finesse. It’s a talent only a few can manage and even less can master, and to do it well, takes a special mixture of quick wit, extreme focus, and an almost geeky sense of words.
In the world of professional drifting, those who dare to step into the announcer booth face a similar predicament. They’re constantly tasked with entertaining the crowd, but also helping thousands-upon-thousands of fans in the stands and at home, wrap their heads around, “What just happened?” again and again, after each heart-pounding 90 second battle where cars and drivers skid their way around the track, inches apart, in a stream of blinding tire smoke.
Not only do they have to surmise the circumstances with lightning precision to keep fans engaged in every battle’s outcome, but they also have to know nearly as much about drifting and the Formula DRIFT rulebook as the judges, drivers, teams, and FD staff themselves. It’s a tall order, and it goes without saying, a commentator role in a complicated sport like drifting, requires live prose that is spot on, super quippy, and the same kind of ‘on-your-feet’ talent that the world has come to love in their favorite rap star appearances.
“Presenting, hosting, and emceeing drifting is unlike announcing any other motorsport, stick-and-ball sport, or event. It’s what I call ‘edutainment’, as it’s a different type of pace, execution, and education. It’s a mix of a sports announcer, late night talk show host, and comedian,” explained Jarod DeAnda, whose wonderful humor and announcing banter has been a staple in the Formula DRIFT announcer booth since FD began nearly twenty-one years ago.
For years, DeAnda shared this booth with FD founder Ryan Sage, who up to a few short seasons ago, was the circuit’s sole technical announcer. Since then, DeAnda has worked alongside several others, including long-time FD judge Ryan Lanteigne, FD’s start-line crewman Matt Soppa, as well as Sage himself.
Photo courtesy of Jacob Gettins.
A Drifting Fan With Moxie, Spirit, and Smarts!
Last season, guest announcer Jacob Gettins captured the attention of FD’s leaders after he emphatically convinced them they needed to launch a podcast. With Gettins’ help and coordination, The Outer Zone podcast was born, featuring Gettins as the turquoise-hooded host.
The cast was extremely well received by FD’s fanbase, and one thing led to another. Soon, Gettins was in the seat next to DeAnda during competition. The chemistry between the two, and Gettins’ encyclopedic drifting knowledge, eventually led him into the permanent position of FD Technical Announcer.
Now, with the 2024 season opener less than a week away, Gettins’ inaugural full season in the booth is about to begin, and the FD crew couldn’t be more enthusiastic.
“Super excited to have Jacob take over for me in the booth,” Sage stated. “I knew I needed to get out at some point after being appointed president, and as we have all seen, Jacob is not only talented, but extremely smart with gifted rhetoric abilities. He is going to be great and I can’t wait for him to get a full year under his belt with Jarod.”
DeAnda countered, adding in, “Jacob Gettins jumping into the booth full time in 2024 is ideal for the fans perspective, because he’s an organic Formula DRIFT fan that grew up watching the series and the sport, then applied his passion and know-how into the automotive space. Jacob will have a great fan perspective throughout the season and he is a great addition to the FD team.”
Photo courtesy of Jacob Gettins.
A Professional Drifting Opportunity in Gettins’ Own Words.
We caught up with Gettins after the announcement for a visit as he prepared for his first full season as FD’s Technical Announcer (or rapper extraordinaire, as we like to think of it!)
Did you ever dream you'd become a permanent FD staffer?
I don't know if dream is the right word, but I am a goal-oriented person. I love to set goals for the coming months and years, and about 10 years ago when I really got into drifting, I made it a goal to make drifting my life in some way. At the time I thought it was going to be around media and content, and in some ways, I did achieve that with the podcast. When I got the nod for the podcast, I made it a goal to get into the booth. I just thought it was going to take much longer…lol
Photo courtesy of Jacob Gettins.
Can you elaborate on what hooked you and kept you so into drifting?
So, admittedly, I was not one of those ‘always into cars’ kind of kids. It wasn't until high school that I started to dabble. Then, in college, I actually picked up wrenches - mostly because I could not afford not to…lol
After that, I moved in with some friends from high school when I moved to a new city. They were massive car fans and we decided to start filming the things we did. That is what formed Pistonhead Productions, my first big step in the car world. Well, it was actually called AutoMoto Mods to start, but a letter from a lawyer stopped that pretty quickly. Don't worry though, it wasn't from the boys in Australia.
Being in the Internet car world, I knew what drifting was, and I actually interviewed Chris Forsberg when he came to Toronto in 2014.
I had started to watch some FD and drifting content after that, but did not really fall in love with it until the first GRIDLIFE. That same group of friends and I went down for the first ever event. After interviewing Ryan Tuerck, and having my first ride along, I was hooked.
As for never leaving the sport, I really don't know. I think it just meshed with my personality, and I love it so much, I haven't seen any reason to leave. Burnouts, insanely fast cars, and tons of self expression… What more could you want?
Why is this new role so perfect for you?
Well, let's not get too far ahead of ourselves here, and say perfect…lol. I have always been a talker and I have always enjoyed having attention. I grew up in a large family and if you wanted to get attention, you had to do something to get it. For me, I was always involved in things that would help that. Things like magic, improv, acting, etc., all helped me think quickly on my feet, deal with the stress of eyes on you, and allow me to focus on putting on a good show.
Photo courtesy of Jacob Gettins.
Will you continue to host the Outer Zone FD podcasts?
100%! No intentions on stopping that any time soon. If my schedule allowed it (and maybe one day it will) I would love to do two shows a week.
What is the hardest part about assuming FD's Technical Announcer role?
Slipping into some massive shoes…lol. I am taking the spot of the president and co-founder of the series. Though Ryan has not put any pressure on me at all, I am putting it on myself. There are 20 years of legacy before me, and I want to make sure I honor and respect that, while also forging my own path.
Photo courtesy of Jacob Gettins.
How do you feel your past has helped you prepare for this role?
It's weird, in some ways it felt like there was a lot leading up to this. Maybe I am just making connections after the fact, but the experiences on stage that I mentioned before, my time in the media pits, and my general obsessive nature around things I love have sort of guided me to this. I am happy to bring in the super fan side of things. I want to represent the people that have made this sport their lives and that alone has helped me get to this point.
Do you expect moments when you'll want to channel Sage and/or Lanteigne?
Yeah, I respect both of those guys, and I really have enjoyed their perspectives and sound bites over the years. There is a brutal honesty that Lanteigne developed in the past years that really struck me. It may not have been everyone's cup of tea, but in the right moment, it was needed. As for Sage, he is always able to play devil's advocate against himself. Bringing up a thought and the argument against it in the same breath - that is something I also want to continue on.
Photo courtesy of Jacob Gettins.
Do you and Jarod have anything fun up your sleeves for the 2024 season?
Ahahaha, I hope so! For me, it's going to be learning as much as I can from him, but I know he loves keeping spirits high and making any moment enjoyable. I have a feeling we will develop our own banter, jokes, and quips. For right now, I think we are going to get some new ink in Long beach, but outside of that, nothing major. Oh, actually, I want to make a point to see his new house and cook for his family. They are doing some big renos, and it looks like the kitchen is going to be amazing, so I would love to do that if we can make it all work.
Is there anything you'd like to add here?
Honestly, as cliche’ as it sounds, just a massive thank you to more people than I could ever hope to list. There are people that have been with me since day one and have helped me get to this point. I also owe a massive thank you to the fans, bring on 2024.
Photo courtesy of Jacob Gettins.
Last Words From The Crew.
What do Gettins’ peers and predecessors have to say about his newfound role?
Ryan Lanteigne, one of Formula DRIFT’s most respected and celebrated judges and announcers, summed it up with this statement, “Jacob is first and foremost, a passionate drift fan, with an encyclopedia’s worth of drifting knowledge and history under that turquoise tuque of his. He did a fantastic job last season when he filled in as PRO technical announcer alongside Jarod DeAnda and I look forward to hearing his insights and analysis when I tune into the Formula DRIFT livestream for the first time in years as a fan watching at home!”
DeAnda’s comment was simple, but super solid, “Welcome to the show, Jacob!”
