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 racecar 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.

About the author

Tracy Shayhorn

Tracy began in the automotive industry in 2002 as the marketing manager for a performance shop, which she helped co-found. As a marketing ploy, she found herself piloting high-powered racecars built at their shop. You may recognize Tracy from shows like Bullrun on and Ultimate Car Build Off. Tracy has used her racing career and media platforms to encourage and empower women to feel more comfortable in the automotive and motorsports arenas by starting up all women driving schools and automotive workshops. She now enjoys writing and shooting photos in her spare time for Power Automedia automotive magazines.
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