K&N Meets Up With 2010 Formula Drift Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr at Nitto Tire Day

Vaughn Gittin Jr brought the full Monster Energy rig out to Angel Stadium complete with his Mustang RTR drift car and the iconic 1969 Ford Mustang RTR-X

Whoever said it never rains in Southern California has been wrong two years in a row on the day of the Auto Enthusiast Day presented by Nitto Tire. Just as it did in 2013, Southern California storms dropped varying amounts of rain providing some relief from the heat. It would seem everywhere in Southern California was reporting rainfall except for Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

Vaughn Gittin Jr was busy setting up and testing the drift course in his Ford Mustang RTR street car before the Auto Enthusiast Day presented by Nitto Tire was officially underway

Despite high heat and unusual humidity caused by storms surrounding the Orange County California area, thousands of fans and hundreds of cars showed up for the event. Their dedication was rewarded with a free event featuring drift sessions every hour, an autograph signing, raffles, and a car show. The second annual Auto Enthusiast Day, held in the parking lot of Angel Stadium of Anaheim, was free to spectators, car show entrants, and vendors alike. Dozens of vendors were in attendance handing out free swag to the diverse crowd of auto enthusiasts. The car show featured everything from classic and modern muscle cars, lowriders, and modified imports, to pre-runner pickup trucks.

The Auto Enthusiast Day presented by Nitto Tire hosted drift demos every hour and at one point had five drivers, including Vaughn Gittin Jr, on the course at the same time

Vaughn Gittin Jr, one of the most iconic figures in Formula Drift, attended the Auto Enthusiast Day presented by Nitto Tire. Vaughn brought the full Monster Energy sponsored race trailer including his Mustang RTR competition drift car, the iconic 1969 Mustang RTR-X, and a street going Ford Mustang equipped with the RTR dealer installed performance package. Before the Auto Enthusiast Day presented by Nitto Tire gates opened, Vaughn Gittin Jr could be seen setting up and testing the drift demo course. This hard work and dedication to the sport are part of what has brought Vaughn Gittin Jr to the level of fame he now enjoys.

Vaughn Gittin Jr dropped by the K&N booth in the Angel Stadium parking lot to say hi after he made the rounds autographing the cars of a few lucky car show entrants

Despite his star status, Vaughn knows that his fans are what give him the opportunity to live his dream. Perhaps the most coveted raffle prize awarded at the Auto Enthusiast Day was a ride along with Vaughn Gittin Jr during the drift demos. Between drift sessions Vaughn could be seen autographing the cars of a few lucky owners. Gittin stopped by the K&N booth as the event was winding down. K&N was able to catch up with him and get his take on the Auto enthusiast Day presented by Nitto Tire. "What an amazing event the Auto Enthusiast Day that Nitto Tire put on ended up being. I had an absolute blast driving with everyone and putting smiles on my passengers’ faces! Looking forward to next year's event already!" said Gittin.

K&N looks forward to attending the Auto Enthusiast Day presented by Nitto Tire next year. Southern California has such a strong and diverse car culture that this event can only get bigger in 2015. Hopefully the lyrics “It Never Rains In Southern California” won’t prove false for the third annual Auto Enthusiast Day presented by Nitto Tire.