Round 2 of the Formula Drift Championship at Road Atlanta was action-packed for RTR Vehicles and the RTR Drift Team. From unveiling T-Pain’s one-of-a-kind Mustang RTR Spec 5-D Convertible to battling unpredictable weather on track, the weekend had it all. Vaughn Gittin Jr. and James Deane showcased the raw power of the Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD in fierce head-to-head battles, while James ultimately took home the win after a heated final against Frederick Aasbo. Here’s how it all went down.
Unveiling T-Pain’s Mustang RTR Spec 5-D Convertible
Thursday night at Road Atlanta marked the debut of T-Pain’s Mustang RTR Spec 5-D Convertible, unveiled at Larry Chen’s Type S Night Lights Pre-Meet Event. The crowd was electric as T-Pain himself joined Vaughn Gittin Jr. to reveal the first-ever convertible drift car from RTR Vehicles. Wrapped in a striking livery inspired by T-Pain’s Nappy Boy Automotive brand, the car blends vibrant pink with a Tallahassee street map pattern, emphasizing T-Pain’s roots. Custom carbon fiber ducted speedster humps, fabricated in-house by RTR, add both style and functionality, doubling as cooling ducts for the rear-mounted radiator. Want to dive deeper into this one-of-a-kind build? Click here to learn more.
New Ford Licensed Merch Tease
Get ready to gear up like never before! For the first time, we are officially dropping Ford Licensed Merch and kicking things off with the Summer Collection. We want to share two exclusive designs: the Mustang Hot Stuff Tee, inspired by the 1981 Foxbody Mustang “Hot Stuff” ad, and the House of Drift Tee, celebrating 20 years of heart-pounding action at Irwindale Speedway.
This launch is just the beginning. With RTR’s modern flair and Ford's legacy, our new merch line brings the spirit of Ford enthusiasts to life—whether you're into Mustangs, Broncos, trucks, or anything in between, there will be something for you! Stay tuned to our socials and RTRvehicles.com for the official release dates.
Vaughn Gittin Jr. vs. James Deane: An Epic Top 32 Battle
Saturday’s Top 32 battle brought a familiar and intense face-off between Vaughn Gittin Jr. and James Deane. It was a rematch of last year’s Top 32 battle, and the crowd’s energy was at an all-time high as the two RTR Drift Teammates battled once again.
With a combined six Formula Drift Championships and over 2,500 horsepower between their Mustang RTR Spec 5-FDs, the battle was fierce. No team orders were in play—both drivers went all out. Ultimately, James Deane won with a cleaner lead run and fewer mistakes, earning a unanimous vote from the judges and advancing to the Top 16.
James Deane’s Run to the Podium
The unpredictable Georgia weather made the battles even more challenging as rain fell intermittently throughout the weekend. In the Top 16, James faced Jeff Jones and used his experience in wet conditions to execute a flawless run, earning a unanimous decision to move on to the Great 8.
There, he battled Matt Field in a tight contest where both made minor errors. The judges voted 2-to-1 in favor of James, propelling him to the Final Four.
James then faced Jhonnattan Castro in a heated Final Four battle, which initially resulted in a one-more-time call. In the rematch, Castro spun out, giving James the victory and a spot in the finals against Frederick Aasbo.
The Battle for First: James Deane vs. Frederick Aasbo
Both James Deane and Frederick Aasbo were determined to take the top spot after an impressive day of competition. Aasbo, who won Round 1 at Long Beach, faced James, who had placed second in that round. Their first battle was so evenly matched that the judges called for a one-more-time rematch.
When they repeated their runs, the skill level remained equally high, resulting in another one-more-time call. Finally, after three sets of incredible lead and chase runs, the judges announced James Deane as the victor, earning him the top spot on the podium.
New Mustang RTR Production Vehicle on Display
In addition to the high-energy drift battles and new merch tease, the Mustang Unleashed activation featured a special showcase of our new production vehicle from Ford.
Although we’re not revealing specifics just yet, fans at the event got a first glimpse of what’s to come. Stay tuned as we continue to work on this exciting project.
Wrapping Up Road Atlanta
Round 2 at Road Atlanta was an unforgettable weekend for RTR Vehicles. From T-Pain’s unforgettable Mustang RTR debut to James Deane’s triumphant run to the top, the event showcased the passion and power that RTR brings to Formula Drift. As we gear up for the next round, make sure to follow us on social media and visit RTRvehicles.com to stay updated on our journey through the 2025 Formula Drift season.
