DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 05, 2016 – Ford Motor Company is awarding Jennifer Scott, the winner of the 2015 “Drift with Ford” Sweepstakes, a fully tuned and custom Ford Focus ST, driving lessons with drifting champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. and other perks in collaboration with the Formula DRIFT race series.
“Formula DRIFT fans have really embraced the lineup of Ford Performance vehicles,” said Jim Owens, Ford enthusiast events marketing manager for Mustang and Shelby. “We’re excited to give Jennifer this custom Focus ST. We added a Ford Performance Power Upgrade Pack, short-throw shifter and exhaust system, a Mountune Intercooler and suspension system and Rotiform NUE wheels, which all help to make this a truly unique Focus ST.”
In addition to owning a one-of-a-kind Focus ST, Scott will receive a trip for two to Ford’s ST Octane Academy for one-on-one drifting lessons with Ford Mustang driver and Formula DRIFT champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. As an added bonus, Scott will visit Hoonigan Racing Division headquarters, garage of Ford driver and Gymkhana star Ken Block, and take a tour of the facility.
“I never expected to be selected as the winner of this year’s ‘Drift with Ford’ Sweepstakes,” said Scott. “I really look forward to meeting Vaughn Gittin Jr. and learning how to drift at the ST Octane Academy in my new Ford Focus ST.”
Ford kicked off the 2015 sweepstakes at the Formula DRIFT season opener in Long Beach, California. Throughout the 2015 season, Formula DRIFT fans had the option to enter online or in person at each event.
“I’m stoked that Ford recognizes the importance of the Formula DRIFT series,” said Gittin. “I am really looking forward to meeting Scott at Miller Motorsports Park and letting her loose on the track for some drifting fun. She will really enjoy the ST Octane Academy, along with the visit to Hoonigan Racing headquarters.”
Ford has supported Formula DRIFT drivers since 2005, when the series triggered a successful engine development program for a Ford Performance Racing Parts supercharged 4.6-liter V8 crate engine. Each year, Ford has increased its support and involvement in drifting, with 2015 marking the third year of the “Drift with Ford” program.
“The level of engagement and excitement that Ford has brought to Formula DRIFT as a result of the ‘Drift with Ford’ sweepstakes, is terrific for the sport,” said Ryan Sage, Vice President and Co-founder, Formula DRIFT. “We’re honored to work with Ford and are thrilled to see one of our fans take home this awesome new Focus ST and prize package.”
Ford’s ST Octane Academy is based at Miller Motorsports Park – a state-of-the-art racing facility located about 35 minutes from Salt Lake City. ST Octane Academy is a complimentary experiential program made available exclusively to new Ford Fiesta ST and Focus ST owners.
As the first official drifting series in North America, Formula DRIFT takes motorsports to the extreme, attracting enthusiasts from all walks of life. Highly skilled drivers maneuver high-powered cars into controlled slides at high speeds through a marked course. Judged on speed, execution and style, drifting is a crowd pleaser that’s often compared to the freestyle nature of skateboarding and motocross.
For more information, visit the Formula DRIFT website or Facebook.
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Michigan, manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 187,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.