THE 3-4 SHIFT.
Photo courtesy of Larry Chen.
As Formula DRIFT’s PRO Circuit Heads To Round 4, Team RTR Puts The Pressure On.
A Modified Season Setup.
The Orlando Speed World stop on Formula DRIFT’s PRO circuit typically marks a pivotal point in the season. With three rounds in the smoke and five more to go, this is when the standings usually begin to gel and championship predictions start to happen; both in and out of the paddocks.
However, the PRO season playbook looks a bit different this year with a new wrench in the toolbox.
Two-time FD PRO champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. is back, and he’s hot, but he’s only driving half the events.
Photo courtesy of Formula DRIFT.
If you’ve been following this year’s circuit thus far, you know Gittin killed his first event in Atlanta, earning the highest points possible that a PRO driver can get in a single round. As a result, he currently ranks 13 in the 2023 PRO season championship standings; a mere 93 points below the top contender spot, presently held by Fredric Aasbo.
Since Gittin only plans to drive the final three rounds of the remaining five, his chances of clinching a third season championship are seemingly impossible. Nevertheless, his performance in Atlanta upped those odds, placing him in the upper half of the standings.
Whichever way it goes, the RTR Vehicles founder is surely a driving force to be reckoned with this season. And if Gittin’s driving at FDATL foreshadows anything yet to come, his competitors have a lot to think about and make happen before the circuit heads back to the west coast.
We asked Matt Field (who currently ranks third in the PRO standings) if he expects any changes in his plan of attack.
Photo courtesy of Formula DRIFT.
“Every driver has the possibility of winning the championship. Further down, each driver has a chance to win an event. And, even further, each driver can win a battle,” Formula DRIFT PRO driver Matt Field stated. “So, it means we have to treat each driver like the championship depends on it, because one driver can take you out and end your chances.”
Field also lauded Gittin’s return, noting he looks up to him and what he has created.
“He is one hell of a driver and runs one hell of a team,” Field continued. “Of course, I’d rather not lose that battle to him, but I think overall, the sport needs guys like him to show guys like me what is possible.”
A New Twist On Professional Drifting.
Perhaps, what makes Gittin’s position so unique this season is his nonchalant attitude about competing.
“The people are going to see a different me than they ever have, because I’m not there to win a championship,” Gittin told host Jacob Gettins on a recent episode of FD’s official podcast, The Outerzone. “I’m just going to come in and have fun and throw it down the best that I can every round and I’m extremely excited for that opportunity.”
Yet, despite his admirable mindset, Gittin’s performance in Atlanta was anything but pointless. In fact, his current ranking adds an interesting dimension to the circuit’s traditional competitive tapestry.
Drivers currently ranking below Gittin will have to strategically figure out how to leapfrog over him, and those above him must perform at the top of their game in all remaining rounds, just to ensure the Fun-Haver doesn’t knock them out of a potential run at the championship.
Photo courtesy of Formula DRIFT.
“Ya’ll know, we get behind the wheel and give it 110% every round trying to make it to the podium, but having Vaughn here is a wild card,” shared FD PRO driver Jonathan Hurst, who currently ranks 7th. “He could come in and win all four rounds - like, that’s just facts - but his points are being collected from championship contenders. They aren’t being taken from mid-pack drivers, so it kind of levels the playing field a bit and keeps everyone on their toes.”
Fun Wins The Battle, But Points Win The War.
Of course, if asked, every competitive drifter will readily admit they too drive for the fun of it. In fact, it’s the fun that makes the odds of crashing, a ticking time clock, insane track conditions, and begging sponsors well worth it.
Yet, when the rubber meets the road, points are everything in most professional motorsports, and it’s a fine line between what it takes to win and driving for the adrenaline rush that feeds the soul.
Three-time champion Fredric Aasbo knows a little about the winning mindset, as characterized in an exclusive interview we recently had with him.
“There are five ‘pillars’ that all need to be top notch to win - the car, the tires you’re on, the team (as a whole: techs, spotter, motivation, understanding, etc.), the driver (mentally, physically, motivation, etc.), and an `X-factor’ (a bit of luck, ability to read the judges, etc),” Aasbo stated.
Photo courtesy of Formula DRIFT.
All For One, And One For All.
We all know it will be a miracle if Gittin can pull off three more flawless wins (although it’s ‘fun’ to think about!), and even if he can, all the other PRO drivers still have two mid-season events to do everything possible to seal their fate before they face him again in Seattle.
Meanwhile, Gittin’s teammates Chelsea DeNofa and three-time champion James Deane are also driving hard to settle their scores. Not surprisingly, both are sitting pretty in the standings, at second and fourth respectively.
Ironically, DeNofa has a reputation for driving with the same cavalier, ‘do-it-for-fun’ attitude that Gittin has only recently adopted. It’s a style (along with incredible skills behind the wheel) that’s earned DeNofa serious respect from peers and fans alike. And, it’s clear he’s after the one feather most of his fellow Fun-Havers already have in their caps. A season title.
Photo courtesy of DRIFTEM correspondent Hasan Ingraham.
So, as Team RTR circles their wagons - with two drivers in the top five and another knocking on the doors of the top ten - we can’t help to wonder if this is the year DeNofa will harness that wild energy into his own version of a winning package.
Certainly, if his outstanding driving and fortitude in Orlando are any indication, he’s probably got a good shot at the holy grail.
Moreover, with Deane right behind him, Team RTR’s chances of snagging another season title seem to be tipping toward their preferred direction.
Regardless of the outcome, RTR is always poised and ready to give everyone a good show.
“I think with the line up that we have, the progression that we have, and the way we’re going to be pushing each other under the RTR tent, it’s going to be nuts - the fans have some treats coming,” Gittin told Gettins.
Photo courtesy of DRIFTEM correspondent Hasan Ingraham.
Fate Is Forever The King Of Drifting.
Yet, at this stage in the competition, anything can happen. Entire teams have been knocked out of the running midway through a PRO season more than once, and it’s this unique element of chance that makes competitive drifting such an exciting, edge-of-the-seat sport for both drivers and spectators.
Indeed, on the surface, it looks like any driver currently in the top ten could easily walk away with the title. Especially, if they can strategically outsmart Gittin and his RTR Fun-Havers.
However, every PRO driver knows their chances of having good or bad luck are always dependent on each battle they fight; right down to that last one. And, beating RTR is just one of a million dynamics each driver has to put into perspective when driving to win.
Photo courtesy of Formula DRIFT.
“Taking a year off, then coming back and crushing it is super inspiring,” added Hurst, reflecting on Gittin’s big return to PRO drifting. “You never really know what’s going to happen in this sport ‘cause there’s so many variables, but right now, I’m liking this one.”
The Pride of Paduka finished his thoughts with one final comment and a homeboy grin, “I really can’t complain though, ‘cause I’m sitting seventh in points. Maybe ask me about it again if I’m paired up with him.”
