Event Preview From Ford Racing

Formula Drift travels to Georgia for the second round of its 2026 season, where three Ford Mustang RTR Spec-5 FD cars will fight for victory at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. RTR Vehicles Team Owner Vaughn Gittin Jr. will compete alongside James Deane and Ben Hobson. Road Atlanta marks the first of two planned appearances for Gittin in Formula Drift this year. 

In the first round on the streets of Long Beach, Deane and Hobson were strong in the return of the single-car, two-run qualifying format. Both drivers won their tandem battles in the Top 32 to advance to the Top 16, but neither driver advanced to the Great Eight. 

James Deane heads to Atlanta with positive momentum having finished second in the first round of the Drift Masters championship last weekend in Rome, Italy. 

The Ford Mustang is the world’s best selling sports car and one of its most popular race cars. With Mustang-based race cars competing in international sports car competition (GT3 and GT4), NASCAR, NHRA, Formula Drift, in Supercars, at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and in its own bespoke regional one-make series – Mustang Cup and Mustang Challenge – the platform has an unprecedented global reach. This weekend, 55 Mustang race cars are scheduled to race across all disciplines. Learn more about Mustang at www.FordRacing.com. 



Keep up with all things Ford Racing and find how to watch here: https://www.fordracing.com/how-to-watch

James Deane, No. 130 RTR Vehicles Ford Mustang RTR Spec-5 FD – “I’m really excited to return to Formula Drift Atlanta where I won last year. We didn’t hve the perfect start to the season in Long Beach, but I’m pumped for Atlanta and I’m hoping to get back on the podium in Round 2.”

Ben Hobson, No. 213 RTR Vehicles Ford Mustang RTR Spec-5 FD – “I’m super pumped going into Round 2 in Atlanta! After getting a feel for the car this season in the last round, I just know that we are going to do great things this year.”

Thursday May 7

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Practice

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: Warm Up

7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.: Qualifying

Saturday May 9

3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.: Warm Up

4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Main Event: Top 32

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.: Main Event: Top 16

*Times ET

APRIL 10 - 11

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA



MAY 7 - 9

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

MAY 29 - 30

ORLANDO, FLORIDA

JUNE 18 - 20

STAFFORD, CONNECTICUT

JULY 30 - AUGUST 1

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA



AUGUST 21 - 22

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

SEPTEMBER 24 - 26

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

OCTOBER 23 - 24

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 175,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

About Ford Racing

Ford Racing is based in Dearborn, Mich. It is responsible for Ford’s performance vehicle development and major racing operations globally, including NASCAR, IMSA, FIA World Endurance Championship, SRO, ADAC Motorsport, USAC Racing, Supercars Championship, Ultra4, SCORE-International, FIA Rally-Raid, Formula Drift, NHRA, Rebelle Rally and our latest commitment in Formula 1 with RedBull Ford Powertrains. Ford Racing also maintains a constantly evolving fleet of electric performance demonstrators to showcase the limits of electrification technology. In addition, the organization also oversees the development of Ford's racing engines, as well as the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts. For more information regarding Ford racing's activities, please visit FordRacing.com (http://FordRacing.com/) or follow @FordRacing on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn.