It’s hard to believe that it is already April of 2011, but you can bet that racing teams across the country are amped up for a new racing season. Few racers possess the energy and sheer skill required to compete in the world renowned Formula Drift Championship, which began its series in Long Beach, California this last weekend.

Everybody’s favorite Mustang drifter, Vaughn Gittin Jr., took some time last weekend to prepare for the season opener in Long Beach by practicing around the track in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Vaughn Gittin Jr. will need all the practice he can get, as the reigning Formula Drift champion has a huge target on his back as he has risen to the top, becoming “the guy” to beat in 2011. Of course, Vaughn Gittin Jr. has a few tricks up his sleeve too, including an all-new naturally aspirated 5.4 liter V8 engine replacing the 5.0 liter V8 he used throughout the series last year. While we’re not sure about messing with success, judging from this practice session video, this new Mustang is even meaner than the one it replaces.

Vaughn Gittin Jr. wasn’t the only one out there, as the whole Falken Tire/Monster Energy team was out on the track, getting their drift on. The video also includes an interview with Vaughn Gittin Jr. who gives the rundown on his new Mustang, and puts on a smoky show that disappoints no one. He’ll be hard to beat this year, that’s for sure.