MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. awards Florida technician the “MAHLExRTR” Grand Prize

April 17, 2019

MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. recently awarded Robert Lewis, a technician from Lakeland, Florida, with the Grand Prize of the “MAHLExRTR” Social Media Promotion. Lewis received a trip to the first round of the 2019 Formula Drift championship at Long Beach, California, on April 4–5. But the high point of the trip for Lewis was experiencing a “ride along” with RTR Motorsports Drift Team Driver, Vaughn Gittin Jr.

“I follow Vaughn on social media and that was where I saw the MAHLE promotion,” said Lewis. “Getting to go to Long Beach to see the cars was a thrill, but getting to actually ride in one was an experience I’ll never forget! You’re taught when you learn to drive to keep your eyes forward. But in these drift cars, you have to look out the side window! It’s amazing how easy Vaughn makes it look!”

MAHLExRTR Social Media Promotion Grand Prize winner Robert Lewis (left) and his wife, Vanessa Lewis (right), enjoy themselves at the 2019 Formula Drift championship at Long Beach, California, on April 4–5.

Lewis has been a technician at Lakeland Ford for more than two years. While the dealership uses original equipment parts from Ford, he has noticed the MAHLE logo on many of the engine parts they use. “I know that MAHLE makes many of the original equipment parts for Ford. The quality obviously has to be first rate.”

“When MAHLE approached RTR with the chance to collaborate on a really unique social contest, I was stoked about the opportunity,” said Vaughn Gittin Jr., President and founder of RTR Formula Drift. “It was really cool to hang out with Robert and his wife Vanessa and give him the ride of his life in a 1,200 horsepower Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-D with MAHLE parts inside. I think this was an experience he will never forget!”

The trip to Long Beach was a return home for Lewis. “I was born in Long Beach but hadn’t been there since I was a kid. It was fun to go back – it was so beautiful! I had never been to a Formula Drift event before – I couldn’t believe how down to earth all the drivers were. They really made me feel like I was a big part of the event.”

“We’re excited to give fans the opportunity to attend events like the Formula Drift, and to experience a once-in-a-lifetime ride along with one of the best drivers in the series,” said Jon Douglas, president of MAHLE Aftermarket North America. “We are happy Robert had such a great time and look forward to having him use MAHLE parts for his whole career.”

RTR Motorsports founder, Vaughn Gittin Jr., is one of drifting's most iconic figures, with the second most wins in Formula Drift history (10) and 22 career podiums.

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