Those that don’t know, Megabloks has been making a strong push into the building blocks world dominated by Legos.

They’ve been having success getting into the market by teaming up and designing kits outside of where Legos can be found. Now it looks like Megabloks has struck up a partnership with Need for Speed to produce some collector series toys, and this is our peek at their first creation – Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s / Team NFS Ford Mustang RTR-X.

We originally saw the RTR-X project when it was getting prepped for the 2010 SEMA Show, and a year later, it’s still one of our favorite cars ever built. Now we’ll be keeping our eyes out to get our own 69-piece kit to build our own RTR-X to sit on our desks… you know, since we’ll never own the real thing.

[Source: Speedhunters Facebook]

Ford fans, start your engines! Ford’s new TV series, Octane Academy, is coming to FUEL TV and its adrenaline-pumping challenges will get your motor revving.

This 13-episode original television series follows driving contestants of Octane Academy as they are put through the paces of a series of challenges while staying at four action sports camps. There will be three episodes for each of the camps and will begin airing in early 2012 on FUEL TV.

“We’re really excited to bring Ford’s Octane Academy to life in an exciting show that will feature quick cuts, comic relief and risk-taking scenarios that take both the pro drivers and everyday Joes out of their comfort zones in the name of entertainment,” said Peter Vesey, FUEL TV Vice President, Advertising Sales.

You can start watching Ford’s Octane Academy this November, which starts with the first camp hosted by Brian Deegan. Taking up the challenge of the academy will be 32 ultimate fans who get the chance to be behind the wheel of a sports car. These lucky contestants will be paired up with famous Ford action sports drivers, including Brian Deegan, Ken Block, Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin Jr. They’ll get to test out their driving skills using the F-150 SVT Raptor, Mustang and the Focus.

The race to get into Ford’s Octane Academy started this July and garnered more than 6,000 applications and 850 video submissions. The racing hopefuls had to explain why they have what it takes to survive a weekend of on- and off-road challenges. Out of those applicants, only 32 were picked to compete in the four camps that will be hosted over the course of the year. Eight contestants participate in each camp and have to battle it out with a battery of challenges and dares over one long weekend. Each of the Ford action sports drivers get to design their ultimate playground for the contestants, and give them a crash course in how to master the road while testing their attitudes, athleticism and audacity. Drivers who stand out move ahead and pick up prizes, and the overall winner of each camp will be awarded a new Ford vehicle of their choice.

2010 Formula Drift Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. takes his dog and pony show to the Middle East: drifting Saudi Arabia in his Ford Mustang.

At the Al Reem Circuit, he puts on a show that would make Ken Block proud. Titled Drifting In The K.S.A, Gittin was given permission to do basically anything around the racetrack, which he takes full advantage of: he first tackles the course grounds in a Boss 302 before bringing out his Monster-liveried Falken Mustang in a cloud of tire smoke.

“Everyone I met, from Princes, to other professional drivers, to swarms of fans, treated me with amazing hospitality and kindness.” Said Gittin. “It was an incredible experience that I will never forget and I look forward to coming back to the K.S.A!”

Click the jump to watch the video and to gain terrible ideas on doing this yourself. But as always…don’t. Unless you were 2009′s Formula Drift Champion.

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With their team of star drivers behind them, Ford is launching the Octane Academy that will bring their ultimate fans face to face with their favorite action sports driver. The all-star cast of Ken Block, Tanner Foust, Vaughn Gittin Jr. and Brian Deegan will be hosting four different camps throughout the year, one by each driver. At each camp, contestants that are selected through video submissions will get to go head-to-head in testing their driving skills.

Each driver will design their own playground, allowing participants to experience out-of-this-world driving lessons while being recorded for the Octane Academy series. And participants that compete to the level that each driver is satisfied with, will win prizes including an overall grand prize of a one-off vehicle created by each of the drivers.

Those interested in entering to possibly become a participant will need to do a video submission telling their story of why they think they have what it takes to survive in the crazy world of Ford’s top tier drivers. The first camp will be hosted by Deegan in November and will feature the theme of Ford RallyCross and Off-Road truck racing. Drivers will get to participate in a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. Those wanting to meet up with Block, will get to get behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta in probably a Gymkhana-themed academy. No doubt Gittin Jr. will get his participants amped up and behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang looking to go sideways. Lastly, Foust will be able to train his drivers in a Ford Focus with an X-Games inspired theme.

Check out a video announcing the Ford Octane Academy after the break.

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A new drifting record was set last weekend by Mauro Calo totaling 7,572 feet  in a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG around a skidpad. 2010 Formula Drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. said that after watching the C63 circle the concrete pad for more than two minutes, he was unimpressed.

“There are about 60 drivers that show up to Formula Drift every month, as well as thousands of grassroots drifters, that can do giant donuts until the tires pop, as well.” Gittin held the original record of 6,285 feet set in December 2008. Now we come the the question of what is a “world record” drift? Guinness World Records defines drifting as, ”driving a car with rear slip angle that is greater to the front.” However Gittin would call that a donut.

Gittin has suggested that Guinness World Records rephrase the definition of drifting to put credibility back in to attempt. Gittin believes the definition should be ”drifting without intersecting your drift line.” Gittin feels ”This result would be a record that took a lot of skill, balls, and wouldn’t put you to sleep watching the video of it.” He’s got a good point.

Check out Mauro Calo’s record setting drift after the jump!

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Nothing thrills us more than a show-quality built car getting thoroughly abused on the track. And in true Vaughn Gittin Jr. form, his 1969 Ford RTR-X Mustang has finally gone sideways. Originally built as a SEMA project vehicle, Gittin Jr. promised many that he would take it out on the track proving that every bit of the car was as functional as it was show.

Unfortunately we didn’t get to witness it first hand, but the photos prove that Gittin had no reservations in whipping the RTR-X around Willow Springs Raceway. There’s no denying Gittin probably put the Boss 302 5.0L V8 through some work and clearly all the suspension tweaks that Gittin wanted done on the project paid off. We’re digging the color scheme of the car on the track and those Work Meister’s do a good job on some old school American muscle.

Hit the link below to see all the pics.

[Source: Autoblog]

What do you get when you take a Formula Drift champion, a video camera, and a website editor that has no fear? Apparently the video that’s available after the jump. Wrecked Magazine teamed up with Vaughn Gittin Jr. out in Las Vegas with a Ford F150 SVT Raptor to reach all new heights – recording it, of course, to share with the rest of the world.

Knowing just how bold of a driver Gittin is, handing him the keys of an F150 SVT Raptor and access to the CORR Truck Track at Las Vegas Speedway, most of us could conjure up the result in our minds. And absolutely nothing less than what’s expected is what’s seen on the video.

As far as Wrecked Magazine is considered, they may have filmed the highest jump an SVT Raptor has ever made in stock form. Despite all of the work and abuse the truck took at the track, they drove it home safely from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, a great testament to just how tough Ford tough is.

Check out the video after the break.

[Source: Wrecked Magazine]

GALLERY: Vaughn Gittin Jr Jumps Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

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After claiming this year’s Formula Drift championship, Vaughn Gittin Jr. is looking to further expand his driving resume by participating in this weekend’s Gymkhana Grid event at Irwindale Speedway. His weapon of choice will be Ken Block’s old 1978 Ford Escort Mk2, now sporting Monster Energy Drink livery.

For those not in the know, Gymkhana Grid is presented by Ken Block, known for his ridiculously awesome gymkhana videos. Several of Formula Drift’s top drivers will be in attendance, including Gittin Jr.’s Falken teammate, Daijiro Yoshihara, Matt Powers, Ross Petty and Joon Maeng, just to name a few. If you’re in the area, make sure to stop by Irwindale Speedway to get your motorsports fix until next season starts.

[Source: Wrecked Magazine]

Still confused about Gymkhana Grid? See after the jump for a quick promo video:

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Ford crammed literally dozens of cars and trucks into its booth at the SEMA Show this year, but of the group there was one definitive showstopper. During the press conference, only one car remained under wraps and that was the Team Need for Speed 1969 Ford Mustang RTR-X, built with input by Ford driver Vaughn Gittin Jr. and set to appear virtually in an upcoming Need for Speed game.

Based on the 1969 Dynacorn body Mustang (a recreation of the original fastback model using Ford tooling), the chassis is custom built, as is the suspension setup, to allow for an extra low ride height as well as some serious (50 to 60 degree) steering angle. After all, this is no trailer Queen. No, Gittin intends to drift the car like he would any other.

Under the hood is a new 5.0-liter V8 engine from the 2011 Mustang GT, pumped up to 440-hp at close to 8000 rpm. And who can miss the Kinsler individual throttle bodies?

Outside there’s plenty of custom bodywork including the massive fender flares. According to Gittin, he and his team took inspiration not just from race cars and classic American muscle, but also from old Japanese sports cars (we spy a little Datsun in the design). And speaking of old school Japanese cars, the RTR-X gets a set of Work Meister rims (designed after Gittin’s own drift car) wrapped in Falken RT615-K tires.

Other modern highlights for the RTR-X include an updated interior with digital gauges, as well as plenty of carbon fiber and Alcantara.

We can’t wait to see what this beauty is capable of.

GALLERY: Team Need for Speed 1969 Ford Mustang RTR-X

See after the jump for video of the car:

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There was certainly a lot of hype around Vaughn Gittin Jr’s Ford Mustang at the beginning of this year’s 2010 Formula Drift season. The newly built 2011 Ford Mustang, with help from sponsors Monster Energy Drink and Falken Tire, featured every bit of experience Gittin and his team has developed over the years of drifting American muscle. And all the hard work has finally paid off as Gittin Jr. has taken the 2010 Formula Drift championship.

This past weekend, the season finale took place at Irwindale Speedway. And while Vaughn Gittin was clearly the leader in points, Tanner Foust and teammate Daijiro Yoshihara still had an outside chance of taking the championship. But Gittin wasn’t letting off the gas anytime soon facing two-time champion Tanner Foust in the grand finale. Even with the championship locked down at that point, Gittin put on a show for the spectators, taking Foust to a one-more time battle. Ultimately the Irwindale event would belong to Foust with Gittin still taking home for the 2010 championship.

This season was a dominating one for Gittin Jr and his Falken Tire / Monster Energy Drink team. He found the podium at six of seven events showing just how much experience pays off. So a huge congratulations goes out to the Falken Tire team for finally locking down a championship and we look forward to seeing what they have in waiting for 2011.

Official press release available after the break.

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