Bosch, Ford, Drifting

ENGLISHTOWN, NJ, June 10, 2009 – Kirk Ready ‘drifted’ at Englishtown Raceway as if this hadn’t been his first time sliding around drifting champion Vaughn Gittin Jr.’s 500 horsepower 2010 Ford Mustang.

Ready was the winner in the Bosch ‘Performance Art Learn to Drift from a Pro’ sweepstakes after entering it at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, and his prize was one-on-one lessons in drifting from world champion drifter Gittin Jr.

“It was fantastic. Vaughn did an excellent teaching job and he, along with his crew, really made me feel at home. I had a great time both driving and riding with Vaughn, along with learning more about the ‘Art of Drifting’ and the technical aspects of Vaughn’s drifting Mustang. That car is incredible,” Ready said. “The torque and power makes it easy to smoke those tires as soon as you’re on the pedal. What an engine.”
                                                   
“This was perfect for a former college Professor of Automotive Engineering Technology, and a fan of drifting. I’m glad I entered the contest at the Bosch display. Thanks to Bosch for setting up the sweepstakes, and thanks to Vaughn for excellent teaching and a great ride in an awesome car,” he added.

A former Professor and Department Chair at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Ready lives in Madison Lake, Minnesota.  In their retirement Kirk, along with his wife Sandy, are technical officials in professional racing with the Atlantic Championship Series and Sports Car Club of America’s new Trans-Am series.

Vaughn Gittin Jr. Successful Teacher

“There is no question that Kirk Ready had the time of his life last week at Englishtown Raceway. As soon as he got to the track, he got some good seat time in the parking lot practicing the basics.  Then he jumped in the passenger seat and I took him flying through the road course for about an hour. Then he took the wheel once again, and really was applying what I had been teaching him. Soon enough, he was drifting in the parking lot like he’d been doing it for days,” Gittin said.

The Bosch ‘Performance Art Learn to Drift from a Pro’ sweepstakes was a SEMA event, with the winner chosen after entries were submitted at the Bosch SEMA exhibit. .

‘Drifting’ Demands Component Performance, Durability

“The superior performance and reliability of Bosch parts for all vehicle makes and models in all kinds of driving conditions is demonstrated in every drifting event by Vaughn Gittin, Jr.,” said Pam Krebs, Bosch’s Director of Advertising and Sales Promotion. “Drifting cars take a real pounding, and engines are subject to incredible stress while they often run at extremely high RPM, and to perform under these conditions Vaughn’s Ford Mustang runs Bosch Platinum Ir Fusion™ multi-electrode spark plugs, Bosch performance fuel injectors, Bosch 044 fuel pump, and the Bosch ALRACE 2 lightweight motorsports alternator.”

Two-time D1 Grand Prix World Champion Vaughn Gittin Jr. is also an accomplished artist, and his “Abstract on Asphalt”, created on a downtown Los Angeles intersection, is part of a Bosch Spark Plugs Performance Art campaign, which includes consumer promotions, a “Making of Performance Art” video and the full-length “Performance Art” video, plus other drifting-related content. All are showcased at the Bosch micro site www.boschperformanceart.com.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In the areas of automotive and industrial technology, consumer goods, and building technology, some 280,000 associates generated sales of 45.1 billion euros ($66.4 billion) in fiscal year 2008. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its more than 300 subsidiaries and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. Each year, Bosch spends more than 3.5 billion euros, or eight percent of its sales revenue, for research and development and applies for over 3,000 patents worldwide. With all its products and services, Bosch enhances the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial.

In North America, the Bosch Group manufactures and markets automotive original equipment and aftermarket products, industrial drives and control technology, power tools, security and packaging technology, thermotechnology, household appliances, solar energy and healthcare. Bosch employs nearly 24,000 associates in more than 70 locations throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with reported sales of $8.6 billion in fiscal 2008. For more information on the company, visit www.boschusa.com.
For information on Bosch Aftermarket Automotive Products, visit www.boschautoparts.com.
For information on Bosch Diagnostic and Wheel Service Equipment, visit www.boschdiagnostics.com.