Vaughn Gittin Jr. recently reflected on several major developments for RTR Vehicles, from witnessing the first Mustang RTR leave Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant to supporting young LPGA athletes and immersing himself in the growing Mustang Week community in Charlotte.
The Flat Rock visit was particularly significant. For Gittin, the sight of an RTR Mustang moving through the same production facility that builds the Mustang represented the realization of a goal that had been developing for roughly two decades.
From RTR Concept to Ford-Built Mustang
The new Mustang RTR represents a major step in the relationship between RTR Vehicles and Ford. Rather than being modified after leaving a Ford facility, the RTR is produced through Ford’s manufacturing process, with Ford and RTR sharing design and engineering responsibilities.
Based on the latest Mustang platform, the turbocharged four-cylinder RTR pairs a 10-speed automatic transmission with a comprehensive collection of performance hardware. Among its defining features are an RTR-specific suspension setup, active exhaust, drift brake and anti-lag functionality. With pricing starting in the low-$40,000 range, the car is positioned as an accessible entry point into the enthusiast side of Mustang culture.
For Gittin, seeing the car assembled at Flat Rock was more than a factory tour. It was the physical realization of a vision that began when he founded RTR and imagined eventually collaborating with Ford on a Mustang that could be built as part of the manufacturer’s production operation.
His personal Mustang RTR was also waiting for him inside the plant. The car was finished in Carbonized Gray and specified with the Hyperlime Appearance Package, although Gittin admitted that he initially failed to select the appropriate option when ordering his vehicle. The experience provided an unusually personal perspective on the transition from an RTR design concept to a production automobile.
Inside the plant, Gittin followed an RTR Mustang through different stages of assembly. He observed RTR-specific components being integrated into the vehicle, including its badging, seat belts, fascia and chassis hardware. The visit also highlighted the highly structured nature of modern automotive manufacturing, where tooling, torque settings, component logistics and worker movements are carefully organized to maintain consistency and efficiency.
One of the most notable moments came when the front and rear subframes were installed beneath the RTR body. Elsewhere on the line, powertrains for different Mustang variants moved through the facility, illustrating how Ford accommodates multiple configurations within the same manufacturing environment.
The completed RTR then proceeded through final inspection and quality-control procedures before leaving the production line.
For Gittin, the symbolism was difficult to miss. More than a decade earlier, he had famously driven a Mustang through the Flat Rock facility for a promotional video. Now, an RTR Mustang was emerging from that same plant as a legitimate Ford production vehicle.
Ford also marked the occasion by presenting Gittin with a personalized identification badge for his Mustang, formally commemorating the milestone.
Taking RTR to the LPGA
After returning home briefly, Gittin traveled to Boston for an LPGA event connected to Ford’s Power Her Drive initiative. Rather than functioning solely as a conventional sponsorship program, the initiative is designed to provide emerging LPGA players with guidance surrounding partnerships, business development and their careers beyond competition.
Gittin participated in a panel alongside former LPGA player Michelle Wie West, discussing the nature of successful brand partnerships and his experience working with Ford and developing RTR.
The program subsequently moved from conversation to hands-on experience. Participants were taken to a nearby driving course where they could experience both drifting and performance driving.
Gittin brought out an RTR Spec 5 Formula Drift car for demonstration rides, while the participants were also given an opportunity to drive the new Mustang RTR themselves. An autocross course provided a controlled environment for the drivers to learn the car and progressively improve their lap times.
The experience demonstrated another aspect of the Mustang RTR’s purpose. Beyond outright performance, the vehicle is intended to provide a relatively approachable way for new enthusiasts to become involved in performance driving and automotive culture.
Mustang Week Comes to Charlotte
Gittin then headed to Charlotte for the first Mustang Week event held in the city under its new ownership. RTR became heavily involved throughout the event, which combined driving activities, track experiences, community gatherings and vehicle displays.
The week began with an RTR owners’ drive. Roughly 30 to 40 owners visited the RTR facility for a tour before heading into the surrounding countryside. The group followed scenic back roads toward the nearby mountains before stopping for lunch and further interaction between RTR and its customers.
The following day moved to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a dedicated track session. Gittin brought both his RTR Spec 5 and Mustang GTD, while other RTR vehicles took to the circuit. The Mustang RTR was also put through its paces, demonstrating the capability of its turbocharged powertrain and performance-oriented chassis.
Gittin highlighted the car’s near-51/49 weight distribution and suspension development derived from the broader Mustang performance program. While the RTR uses a four-cylinder turbocharged engine rather than a V8, its chassis and braking hardware are designed around an enthusiast-focused driving experience.
The track session also provided an opportunity for Gittin to interact with members of the Shelby performance community, reinforcing the increasingly diverse ecosystem surrounding modern Mustang performance.
RTR’s Community-Focused Mustang Week
RTR’s involvement extended well beyond the racetrack. The company hosted a large community event at a local brewery, incorporating music, demonstrations, games and interactive attractions.
Thousands of attendees reportedly came through the event, which included ride-alongs and demonstrations featuring RTR vehicles. The emphasis was firmly on participation rather than simply displaying modified cars.
The final portion of Mustang Week moved to zMAX Dragway, where RTR displayed a broad selection of its vehicles and offered additional ride-along experiences. Drivers and enthusiasts were able to interact directly with the cars, while Gittin and the RTR team continued demonstrating the company’s approach to performance and vehicle culture.
The event also provided an opportunity for other drivers to experience RTR machinery firsthand. Formula Drift driver Reese Conklin, for example, was given the opportunity to drive an RTR demo car after previously competing with other Mustang generations.
Even an unexpected downpour became part of the weekend’s character when the RTR team drove a Bronco back through the rain with its roof removed.
A New Phase for RTR
Taken together, the three stops illustrate the increasingly broad scope of RTR Vehicles. The Flat Rock visit represented the manufacturing realization of Gittin’s long-term Ford partnership. The LPGA event showed how the brand is using performance vehicles as a platform for experiences outside traditional automotive circles. Mustang Week, meanwhile, demonstrated RTR’s continued focus on building an active enthusiast community around its products.
The Mustang RTR is arguably the clearest expression of that strategy. It combines factory production with RTR’s design and performance philosophy, while offering a comparatively accessible entry point into the modern Mustang performance world.
For Gittin, seeing the first RTR Mustang come off Ford’s assembly line may have been the most significant milestone of all. What began as a long-term ambition when RTR was founded has now become a production reality, with the Mustang RTR moving from concept and aftermarket identity into Ford’s manufacturing ecosystem.
Source: Vaughn Gittin Jr.
