On January 18th, 2026, the RTR community came together for a night that was about far more than trophies. The 2025 Formula Drift Championship Celebration at the RTR Lab marked a defining moment for the RTR Vehicles Drift Team, honoring our 3rd consecutive championship-winning season while setting the tone for what comes next. Hosted at the RTR Lab in Concord, North Carolina, this invite-only event brought together drivers, partners, Mustang owners, drift enthusiasts, and the automotive community under one roof to celebrate culture, commitment, and momentum heading into 2026.
A Community-First Experience
While a Mustang owners' cruise had originally been planned, weather conditions shifted the schedule. Instead of slowing things down, the RTR community showed up anyway. Mustang owners parked together on-site, turning the RTR Lab into an organic showcase. Vaughn Gittin Jr. personally welcomed the group with an early-access, private tour of the RTR Lab, offering a behind-the-scenes look.
The Lab itself is in the middle of an evolution. Guests were among the first to see newly refreshed spaces and learn about upcoming changes, including the motorsports team moving into a newly updated section of the building. It was a rare glimpse into the future of RTR, shared directly with the people who help make it possible.
Championship Cars and Icons on Display
Vehicle displays throughout the Lab told the story of RTR’s past, present, and future. James Deane’s newly unveiled 2026 season livery, revealed just two days earlier, was displayed alongside Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Ben Hobson’s 2025 competition cars.
The celebration also featured several significant production and heritage vehicles. Highlights included Vaughn’s M81 McLaren Fox Body Mustang sitting on a fresh set of wheels, the legendary RTR-X, Vaughn’s 2010 championship-winning Mustang, the RTR-C, and additional museum vehicles that represent key chapters in RTR history. Together, they showcased the evolution of the brand from its earliest milestones to its current form.
A Night Built on Celebration
As the evening unfolded, the energy stayed high. Guests enjoyed food, drinks, and interactive experiences throughout the Lab, including mini golf, axe throwing, RC Bronco drives, and Krazy Karts. We also premiered a 2025 season recap video. The room went quiet as the journey of the year played out on screen, capturing the highs, the challenges, and the relentless push that led to another championship.
Following the premiere, the drivers addressed the crowd, sharing thoughts on the season and what the support from the RTR community means to them. The night closed with an autograph session that gave fans an opportunity to get photos and memorabilia autographed.
Ready for What’s Next
The 2025 Formula Drift Championship Celebration was ultimately about people. The drivers who pushed limits all season. The team behind the scenes that made it happen. And the community that continues to show up, year after year. Nights like this reinforce what RTR is built on. Passion, authenticity, and a shared drive to keep moving forward.
With the celebration complete and the next chapter already in motion, the focus now turns to the upcoming Formula Drift season. If this night was any indication, RTR is entering 2026 with momentum, confidence, and a community that is more ready than ever.
1 comment
Brian Freeberger
I found myself in four pictures… thanks for having me …Fourth straight Championship here we come…. RTR for Life ….
I found myself in four pictures… thanks for having me …Fourth straight Championship here we come…. RTR for Life ….