Ford motors, RTR vehicles and Vaughn Gittin Jr have revealed the all-new Formula Drift Spec 5-FD competition Mustang, the drifting pony shares its DNA with the latest seventh-generation 2024 Ford Mustang.
Ford Performance and RTR team came together and developed three new Mustang RTR Spec 5-FDs based on the 2024 Mustang production car. The Formula Drift Mustang has undergone significant improvements, including advanced suspension development and an output boost to over 1,300 horsepower, making it the most significant improvement of the car in years.
Also, after a year away from the sport, two-time Formula Drift Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. announced his return to Formula Drift Competition. Vaughn Gittin alongside RTR Drift team members Chelsea DeNofa, Adam LZ and three-time champion James Deane will be driving the brand-new Formula Drift Mustang at the 2023 Formula Drift Season.
Gittin's Mustang drift features literally an otherworldly livery since it was inspired by images from the James Webb Space Telescope.
Vaughn Gittin said, “We took the badass styling, technology, and overall progression of the new Mustang as inspiration to develop our new Mustang RTRs for Formula Drift. The result is the best looking and best performing Mustang RTRs that we have ever created, and they are so fun to drive!”
All-New Mustang Competition-Inspired Electronic Drift Brake
Watching professional drifting is not the only source of excitement. Ford and RTR have collaborated to create a ground-breaking electronic drift brake for the 2024 Mustang, which is a first-of-its-kind feature in this vehicle segment.
The camera car also highlights Ford and RTR's combined work while showcasing the brand-new track-only electronic drift brake, which gives the Mustang's rear-wheel-drive drifting capabilities while maintaining the aesthetic appeal and usefulness of a conventional mechanical hand brake.
The Mustang Performance Electronic Parking Brake, which includes the drift brake, is available on Mustang models with 2.3-litre EcoBoost and 5.0-litre V8 engines, as well as automatic or manual transmissions and the Performance Pack option. This electronic drift brake replicates the hydraulic one featured in RTR's Formula Drift Mustang, which produces more than three times the braking force of a conventional mechanical parking brake system.
Beginners can also learn the art of drifting with the help of the user-friendly electronic drift brake and later modify the system settings for competition on the racecourse exclusively.
The all-new Ford Mustang featuring the electronic drift brake and Performance Electronic Parking Brake will go on sale this summer.
2023 RTR Formula Drift Schedule
In 2023, Vaughn will compete in select events and share driving responsibilities with teammate Adam LZ at a few events for driving his brand-new Monster Energy Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD.RTR Vehicles team is excited for everyone to have a first look at some of the upcoming S650 Mustang RTR components that will be included in the Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD competition cars. Despite the fact that these cars are intended for racing, RTR Vehicles will soon have more exciting updates on the consumer car packages and S650 Mustang parts.
2023 Formula Drift Events
1) April 7-8, Long Beach, Calf. — Chelsea DeNofa, Adam LZ and James Deane2) May 11-13, Braselton, Ga.— Vaughn Gittin Jr., Chelsea DeNofa, and James Deane
3) May 26-27, Orlando, Fl. — Chelsea DeNofa, Adam LZ and James Deane
4) June 22-24, Englishtown, N.J. — Chelsea DeNofa, Adam LZ and James Deane
5) July 13-15, Madison, Ill. — Chelsea DeNofa, Adam LZ and James Deane
6) August 11-12, Monroe, Wash. — Vaughn Gittin Jr., Chelsea DeNofa, and James Deane
7) September 14-16, Grantsville, Utah — Vaughn Gittin Jr., Chelsea DeNofa, and James Deane
8) October 13-14, Irwindale, Calif. — Vaughn Gittin Jr., Chelsea DeNofa, and James Deane
A word from the Ford Officials
Jim Owens, Ford Mustang brand manager said, “Mustang has always stood for on-road freedom and track performance and its first-ever electronic drift brake adds a whole new dimension of on-track fun and capability that will enable almost anyone to drift like they’re a soon-to-be-Vaughn Gittin Jr.”Vaughn Gittin said, “I’m excited to announce not only that I will be back behind the wheel of a competition Mustang RTR with our signature aggressive styling and serious performance updates but I’m also thrilled that Ford and RTR have worked tirelessly to make something special with the new electronic drift brake. Chelsea and I had the honour of working with the passionate engineering team at Ford to develop. Our goal was putting larger smiles on the faces of soon-to-be fellow seventh-generation Mustang owners.”
