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

      Jay Canter/Carrara Media

      The latest in car news and reviews, straightforward and to the point.

      Our free daily newsletter delivers the most important stories straight to your inbox every weekday.

      If you have been keeping up with the automotive scene since the early 2000s, you are likely familiar with RTR. With a name like “Ready To Rock,” it's hard to believe it hadn't been used before. Vaughn Gittin Jr. and his team executed a dual approach to car culture through racing and tuning, and the narrative of RTR’s evolution from a grassroots initiative to a significant force in the automotive aftermarket could easily fill a book. And it has.

      "Ready To Rock" documents the history of RTR from its inception in 2009 to the present day across 256 pages, featuring stunning photography from renowned photographers. Co-authored by Gittin Jr. and Mike Spinelli—a well-known figure in the community—it is published by Carrara Media, a leading publisher for contemporary automotive literature.

      Larry Chen/Carrara Media

      For those unfamiliar with the backstory, Gittin Jr. began his career as a professional drifter in the early 2000s, at a time when drifting was still emerging in the U.S. He made history in 2005 by becoming the first American to win a D1 Grand Prix event, later securing the title of Formula Drift champion twice in 2010 and 2020. He continues to compete in Formula Drift with a Mustang and occasionally races in off-road events where RTR also participates.

      However, RTR encompasses more than just a racing team. Over time, it began to create aftermarket components for the Ford vehicles it used in races, progressively advancing to complete custom builds, including standout projects like Ken Block’s “Hoonicorn” Mustang and the seven-motor Mustang Mach-E 1400. Their clientele includes rapper T-Pain, who has even written a foreword for the book. The publication features photography from Larry Chen, Matt Marcu, and Tony Harmer, ensuring a visually appealing experience.

      Larry Chen/Carrara Media

      The book is released at a time when RTR is enhancing its visibility in the automotive field and benefiting from an expanded partnership with Ford. The automaker is now offering RTR-branded Mustang and Bronco models at its dealerships, which presents its own unique challenges.

      "Ready To Rock" will be available 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 comes signed by Gittin Jr. and is restricted to just 1,000 copies.