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Ford Partner RTR Finishes First At 2023 Formula Drift

Aside from helping The Blue Oval develop the electronic drift brake feature present in the redesigned S650 generation 2024 Ford Mustang, RTR Vehicles – the brainchild of Ford and Formula Drift/Ultra4 racer Vaughn Gittin Jr. – also recently revealed its own production-spec version of the brand new pony car wearing some unique visual pieces that customers can buy. Now, both Ford and RTR are celebrating a first-place finish at the 2023 Formula Drift after driver Chelsea DeNofa finished the season at the top of the podium in the Formula Drift Championship behind the wheel of the track-only Spec 5-FD competition Mustang.

Chelsea DeNofa 2023 Formula Drift Championship 002

RTR worked directly with Ford to develop three Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD racers, each of which features a host of upgrades including extensive suspension enhancements and over 1,300 horsepower. Aside from DeNofa, the other two cars are driven by Gittin Jr., Adam LZ, and three-time Formula Drift champion James Deane.

Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD 2023 Formula Drift Championship - Exterior 003 - Front Three Quarters

“What an amazing accomplishment for our team along with Ford Performance support to earn the first championship with the all-new Mustang,” Gittin Jr. said of the championship win. “I remember 20 years ago when I was first driving the Mustang people looked at me sideways, now the Mustang platform is an icon in the sport with more and more showing up at events and in the collective culture.”

Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD 2023 Formula Drift Championship - Exterior 005 - Front Three Quarters

“Mustang was bred for racing, from drifting to road courses, and we’re excited to build on this first championship for the all-new Mustang,” said Joe Bellino, Mustang marketing manager. “We’re confident this is the first of many trophies, and it came from a dominant season.”

We’ll have more on the 2024 Ford Mustang soon, so subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Mustang news, and for comprehensive Ford news coverage.

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.

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