On Friday (12/04/2023) in Atlanta a Formula Drift event was taking place, Vaughn, Chelsea and James took to the track for the first time together for a three-hour long practice session well into the night. Vaughn wasted no time picking up where he left off in 2021 sending his Mustang RTR Spec 5-FD at one of the season’s fastest and exciting tracks. The trio spent the session getting their cars dialled for one final practice session this afternoon before qualifying.

Not since Kerri Strug vaulted into our hearts in Atlanta ’96 claiming the gold for team USA has Atlanta experienced such an iconic event as Vaughn’s return to Formula Drift and securing the top qualifying spot! First on track Vaughn would post a 93.33, a bar that no other qualifier would top and will face Robert Thorne on Saturday. Later in the evening Chelsea would secure his spot in 14th with an 81.66 run with James on track immediately after scoring a 85.33 qualifying 10th. In Saturday’s round 2 Chelsea will face Travis Reeder and James Trenton Beechem in Top 32 action.

Nothing can be written that would rival the statement Vaughn made on the track Saturday night capping his return to Formula Drift with a perfect event, qualifying P1 and then winning the round! Getting the win was no easy task as his route to victory took him through current points leader Matt Field and culminated versus three-time champion Chris Forsberg. Vaughn leaves Atlanta 5th in overall points and will next compete in Seattle for round 6.

James would avenge his Long Beach loss to Fredric Aasbo besting the defending the champion the Top 16 but would unfortunately lose in the Great 8 to Forsberg. In his top 16 battle Chelsea was defeated by third place finisher Odi Bakchis. James and Chelsea are 6th and 10th in overall points, respectively.

Chelsea and James will be re-joined by Adam for Formula Drift Round 3 in Orlando, Florida May 26 and 27.