A Ford Mustang GTD. A Corvette ZR1. Vaughn Gittin Jr. Cleetus McFarland. One track.
RTR Vehicles headed to Ten Tenths Motor Club for a full day of track activities alongside Cleetus McFarland and T-Pain, and what unfolded was the kind of day that reminds you exactly why we do this. Grip battles, five-car tandems, time attack runs, and plans already in motion for a rematch. Here is how it all went down.
The Lineup
Before the first lap was ever turned, the paddock alone was already stacked. We brought out two Mustang RTR Spec 5-D demo cars, two Ford Mustang RTRs, a production Mustang RTR Spec 3 in Blu Corsa, the Mustang RTR Spec 5 in Urban Bamboozle, and Vaughn's Ford Mustang GTD. Joining the RTR fleet were good friends T-Pain and Hert from Nappy Boy Automotive, with T-Pain arriving in his Koenigsegg Regera and his Mustang RTR Spec 5-D convertible. Cleetus brought out his Corvette ZR1 and his Cadillac, set up for drifting.
Vaughn walked Cleetus through the full gambit of RTR vehicles on hand before a single engine was fired up. Then it was time to get to work.
GTD vs ZR1: The Main Event
The challenge was simple. One out lap, five hot laps, best time wins. Vaughn strapped into the Ford Mustang GTD and went first, setting a 1:24.3 around the Ten Tenths circuit. Cleetus followed in his Corvette ZR1 and responded with a 1:23.8, with Hert on announcing duty for the results.
That half-second gap was enough to spark a new challenge. Vaughn suggested they settle it wheel to wheel, and nobody argued. Both cars lined up and went head-to-head around the circuit in a road race-style battle that had everyone watching locked in. The ZR1's power advantage was real, but the aerodynamic grip of the Mustang GTD kept Vaughn planted through the corners and in contention through large portions of the lap. The result was nothing short of entertaining for everyone involved.
Back in the paddock, Vaughn was already scheming his next move. A few changes to the GTD, a level playing field, and a rematch on the horizon. Cleetus has agreed to bring the ZR1 exactly as it raced that day. Consider it a date.
Five Car Tandems and Drift Tire Carnage
With the grip battle settled, it was time to shift gears. Cleetus led the pack in his Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing drift car with Vaughn Gittin Jr., Ben Hobson, T-Pain, and Hert falling in line behind him for five-car tandems around Ten Tenths.
It was exactly as spectacular as it sounds. Mr. Sam even hopped in the passenger seat with Ben Hobson for the full experience.
Somewhere between tire sets, Cleetus noticed there were too many sleeves on track. Vaughn, T-Pain, and Cleet himself were promptly de-sleeved, as the situation required. Cleetus then jumped into a tandem with T-Pain and came away genuinely impressed by his speed and car control behind the wheel. T-Pain’s a man of many talents, and we are here for it.
Time Attack in the Ford Mustang RTR
Once the drift tires were well and truly spent, the turbocharged Ford Mustang RTR took center stage for a time attack session. Mr. Sam, Tye, George, and Zach each took their shot at setting the best lap around Ten Tenths.
In the end, it came down to a tenth of a second, with Tye edging out Zach for the top time in a finish that had everyone on their toes.
The Rematch is Coming
One day at Ten Tenths. A grip battle, a drift session, a time attack shootout, and a rematch already in the books. That is a full day by anyone's measure.
If you haven’t watched Vaughn take on Cleetus yet, check it out here. Then dive into the rest of the track day fun on Cleet’s second video here. And stay tuned because when Vaughn and Cleetus line back up, you will not want to miss it.
