A New Book Chronicles the Journey of RTR, an American Drift Team That Became Much More.

A New Book Chronicles the Journey of RTR, an American Drift Team That Became Much More.

      Jay Canter/Carrara Media

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      If you've been engaged in the automotive world at any time since the early 2000s, you've likely heard of RTR. With a name as straightforward as "ready to rock," it’s remarkable that no one else had the idea. Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his team have made a significant impact on car culture through both racing and tuning, and RTR’s journey from a small grassroots initiative to a significant force in the automotive aftermarket could easily fill a book—literally.

      “Ready To Rock” details the history of RTR from its inception in 2009 to the present, spanning 256 pages accompanied by stunning photographs from top photographers. Co-authored by Gittin Jr. and Mike Spinelli—an established name in the industry—it is published by Carrara Media, the leading source for books on contemporary car culture.

      Larry Chen/Carrara Media

      For those who may not know the background, Gittin Jr. began his career as a professional drifter in the early 2000s, at a time when the sport was just emerging in the U.S. In 2005, he became the first American to win a D1 Grand Prix event and later secured double titles in Formula Drift, winning in both 2010 and 2020. He continues to compete in a Mustang in Formula Drift and occasionally participates in off-road events where RTR is active as well.

      However, RTR is not merely a racing team. Over the years, it has expanded into developing aftermarket parts specifically for the Ford vehicles it races, evolving to create complete custom builds. This includes standout projects such as Ken Block’s “Hoonicorn” Mustang and the seven-motor Mustang Mach-E 1400. Notable customers include rapper T-Pain, who also provided a foreword for the book. The text features photographs by Larry Chen, Matt Marcu, and Tony Harmer, ensuring a wealth of visual appeal.

      Larry Chen/Carrara Media

      The book is launched at a time when RTR is enhancing its presence in the automotive community and benefiting from a growing partnership with Ford. The automaker is now offering RTR-branded versions of the Mustang and Bronco through its dealerships, which is a substantial undertaking in itself.

      “Ready To Rock” will be released on November 2, but you can pre-order it now from Carrara for $54.99 for the Standard Edition and $124.99 for the Limited Edition. The latter edition is signed by Gittin Jr. and is limited to 1,000 copies.

A New Book Chronicles the Journey of RTR, an American Drift Team That Became Much More. A New Book Chronicles the Journey of RTR, an American Drift Team That Became Much More. A New Book Chronicles the Journey of RTR, an American Drift Team That Became Much More.

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A New Book Chronicles the Journey of RTR, an American Drift Team That Became Much More.

From local racing to a complete partnership with Ford, everything is included.