Nitto Auto Enthusiast Day – Vaughn Gittin Jr drift demo

This weekend I was fairly busy.  Sunday I went down to Angels Stadium for the Nitto tires Auto Enthusiast Day.  It was HOT, HOT, HOT, but it was a really nice turn out. Lots of intoxicating exhaust sounds, cool cars and great people.  Ford was there representing with an autocross track for their Mustang and the Focus ST.  The Focus RS was on display as well for people to sit in and take photos.  There were also some drifting ride alongs and tandem drift demos giving by Vaughn Gittin Jr.  Me and my buddy walked around for a couple of hours checking out the cars and meeting some of the builders of these customized vehicles.  I captured a few videos and snapped a few photos before the hunger and heat got the best of me.  

Enjoy…I know I did. 

Old school meets new school…

This pair of old school Benz’s were done completely in house by Ranz Motorsports Inc. of El Monte, CA. Only the wheels were brought in.  They were able to do custom motor swaps courtesy of a Toyota 1JZ and a Benz SL AMG to help lay down some serious power for this old school pair.  The interiors were treated to custom modern amenities from newer Lexus and Mercedes models, while the specially made wheels complete the look and set the cars off nicely.  Be sure to check them out.
Saturday…

I also spent some time behind the wheel of a 2015 Audi S5…I didn’t want to like the car,  but it stole my heart. The interior with all of its carbon fiber accents, the drive select ability to change the ride comfort, engine note and steering feel.  The Alcantara and leather seats along with the door inserts.  Flat bottom steering wheel, aluminum accents and the tech package.  Power delivery was very impressive in dynamic mode and the quattro handling was enhanced by the 19 inch sports wheel package…OMG!

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All photos and videos courtesy of Perks Garage!

Drift Battle Hoonigan Style

I remember when back in the day when they were only drifting Hachi-Roku’s a.k.a. AE86’s a.k.a. Toyota Corolla hatchbacks

and Silvia’s.

We would beam with joy from as the pillows of smoke, the screeching of tires and the smell of burnt rubber filled the air at drift events.  You could hear the crowd cheering and screaming “one more ‘gin!” A way to tell the judges that the drift battle was too close to call. Those moments fueled me to want to get my hands on a rear-wheel drive something, just to practice sliding around corners.

Since the day Formula D was first introduced to America’s soil and trickled it’s way down to SoCal,  thousands of kids bought and modified every Nissan 240SX and Corolla they could get their hands on. Well in the last 20 years (plus or minus), things have changed…A LOT!!!

When did a Lambo become disposable enough to do the dirty dance against Formula D champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. in the streets on Russia?  Check out this video.

A Lambo…really?!

Video from Monster.

Photos borrowed gingerly from the interwebs…hehe.