Vaughn Gittin, Jr., To Debut 2010 Ford Mustang Drifter at Grand Prix of Long Beach

Vaughn Gittin, Jr., 27, driving for the Falken Tire/Ford Racing team, traded in his 650-horsepower 2008 Ford Mustang GT for a 2010 Ford Mustang. The 2010 Falken Tire Ford Mustang was built by AutoSport Dynamics, Inc., in Charlotte, North Carolina. Gittin says, "It is simply the fastest, most insane machine I have ever driven, and I cannot wait to unleash it at Formula Drift in Long Beach this weekend."

This extreme pony car is 1,000 pounds lighter than stock, largely due to the use of carbon fiber for the dashboard, hood, fenders, doors and roof. The car retains the stock 2010 Mustang front and rear bumpers and rocker panels.

It boasts a supercharged 4.6-liter Aluminator V8 from Ford Racing, rated at 680 hp and 700 pound-feet of torque. A Mid-Valley four-speed transmission drives power to the rear wheels through an Exedy Hyper twin-disc clutch and a Winters quick-change limited-slip differential. A Tein coil-over suspension with cockpit-adjustable bump and rebound settings is in place, while Falken Azenis RT615 tires are under the fenders, 295/40R18s in the rear and 245/40R18s in front. HRE wheels and Wilwood brakes are featured.

Falken Tire Ford Racing 2010 Mustang from Drift Alliance Productions on Vimeo.

Gittin is the only American to win a D1GP event not once, but twice. In 2005, Gittin won the D1GP USA vs. Japan event. In 2007, he earned gold once more by winning the D1GP World Championship.

More than 60 professional drivers are expected to compete in all seven drift events this year.

Inside Line says: Extreme pony car says it all — Kelly Toepke, News Editor