Episode
The Business of Fun: How Vaughn Gittin Jr. Built the RTR Empire | MotoMan Podcast #013
- Podcast
- MotoManTV Podcast
- Published
- Mar 18, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3657
- Processing state
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Summary
Most people see the smoke and the sideways Mustangs, but they don't see the payroll, the sleepless nights, or the massive career gamble that started it all. In this episode, Vaughn Gittin Jr. pulls back the curtain on the 20-year journey from a stable 9-to-5 to becoming the CEO of RTR Vehicles . We discuss why he chose to move his entire life to the "Silicon Valley" of racing to stay ahead of the curve and how fatherhood forced a shift toward quality over quantity in his professional life. Episode Chapters: 00:00:00 Vaughn Gittin Jr. and the Drifting Empire 00:01:25 ‘Vault’ episode disclaimer 00:02:11 Quitting a Stable Job to Pursue Racing Dreams 00:04:08 The Jump from Driver to Independent Team Owner 00:05:40 Responsibility for Payroll and Team Well-being 00:07:22 Strategic Move to Charlotte (The "Silicon Valley" of Racing) 00:09:50 Work Culture and Talent Management at RTR 00:12:15 The Impact of Fatherhood on Professional Career 00:14:50 Finding Balance: Less Time, Better Quality 00:16:14 Transitioning to Off-Road Racing and King of the Hammers 00:21:10 The "Fun-Having" Philosophy as a Brand Pillar 00:25:35 Technological Evolution in Drifting and Engineering 00:30:15 Relationship with Ford and Production Vehicle Development 00:35:40 Technical Challenges: Adapting to Different Surfaces and Terrains 00:40:22 Business Strategy: Selling a Lifestyle, Not Just Cars 00:45:10 The Future of RTR Vehicles and Next Steps 00:49:45 Mentorship and Supporting the Next Generation of Drivers 00:55:15 Lessons Learned in 20 Years of Business Career 00:58:15 Final Thoughts on Success and Gratitude #VaughnGittinJr #RTRVehicles #Drifting #FordMustang #Entrepreneurship #Motorsports #KingOfTheHammers #BusinessStrategy #FunHaver #FormulaDrift For driving adventur…