This is the Stattmann Baby!! Time to Scatt a little bit.
The win proves the rapidly developing depth of American drifting (Gittin finished fourth in the Formula Drift season). It also proved the depth of equipment. Millen’s GM GTO was scrap and Hubinette’s Mopar Viper was on the sidelines when a Ford, a company which has largely ignored drifting, changed history. Go figure!
The D1GP people were stunned at the outcome. There was no way to blame the French judge for this one. Vaughn kept his foot planted in his supercharged Mustang, driving it on the rev limiter through four rounds of competition and a sudden death overtime against Tatsuya Sakuma.
The thousands on their feet at Irwindale Speedway shouted “U-S-A!!” over and over while JR danced on the roof of his Mustang.
He later sang “I’m a LIVE WIRE!!” in his best Motley Cru when we chatted after the celebrating. On second thought, he may still be celebrating!!
Peace…