K&N-Sponsored Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chelsea Denofa Give Ride Alongs at HyperFest

May 31, 2017

Vaughn Gittin Jr and Chelsea Denofa drifting at Hyperfest - Photo by Luke Munnell

Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chelsea Denofa tandem at the Hyperfest event at VIR

Formula Drift drivers Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Chelsea Denofa took time out of their busy schedules to attend the HyperFest event at Virgina International Raceway, providing ridealongs and drifting demos over the course of the weekend. HyperFest is an automotive festival which provides a slew of different driving events including drifting games, high performance driver experience (HPDE), off-roading, rally racing, go kart races, and even a burnout competition. Gittin Jr. and Denofa provided more than 30 ridealongs through the weekend in a pair of K&N-equipped Ford Mustang RTRs, with smiles emerging from every passenger that was given the experience.

Gittin Jr. and Denofa are both veterans of the HyperFest experience. Gittin Jr. has attended every Hyperfest event since 2003, while this year was a return to the event for Denofa who missed the past few seasons but attended many times when the event was held at Summit Point International Raceway. “If any place is the epitome of automotive culture, this is it. Hyperfest is a relaxed event full of fun-seekers like me. There are so many activities to choose from, and it’s great to see everyone bringing their rides out and just enjoying the culture,” said Gittin Jr.

Chelsea Denofa leads Vaughn Gittin Jr and drift train at Hyperfest - Photo by Luke Munnell

Chelsea Denofa leads a drift train which includes Vaughn Gittin Jr at Hyperfest

The drifting portion of Hyperfest was part of the Street Driven Tour this year, combining some open drifting sessions on the 1.1-mile Patriot course with ‘drifting games’ that include drift soccer, hard parking, and a 360 competition. The event gives drivers like Gittin Jr. and Denofa a rare opportunity to give back to local drivers with tips on how to improve their driving, as well as provide a first-hand experience to newer spectators who haven’t had the opportunity to ride in a drift car before. “Hearing the passengers get out of the car and get excited about the adrenaline rush from being sideways is exactly why we do these ride alongs,” said Denofa at the event. “The smiles speak for themselves”.

Vaughn Gittin Jr gives ridealongs at VIR - Photo by Luke Munnell

Vaughn Gittin Jr. gave several ridealongs to spectators at VIR during Hyperfest

After a rare weekend off, Gittin Jr. and Denofa are preparing for Round 4 of the Formula Drift Pro Championship in Wall, New Jersey. Gittin Jr. is the defending event winner, and has previous podiumed a total of five times (2 wins, 3 second place finishes) in eleven appearances. Denofa has struggled with mechanical issues and crashes in previous years at Wall Speedway, but has high hopes after joining the Ford Mustang RTR drift team in the offseason and earning his first Top 16 appearance of the season in Atlanta and a “one more time” battle with Ryan Tuerck. Gittin Jr. currently sits in fifth place overall in the championship standings, while Denofa is tied for eighteenth overall.