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Formula Drift kicked off the 2010 season last weekend with its 5th annual Streets of Long Beach event on turns 9, 10, and 11 of the Grand Prix course that'll see ALMS and IndyCar action this weekend. Our man Michael Harley's GSR Autosport team faced plenty of adversity in its inaugural event, and it was the more seasoned (and well funded) teams that fared better.

At the end of the knockout stages, Vaughn Gittin Jr., in his new 2011 Mustang sponsored by Falken Tire and Monster Energy Drink, stood atop the podium. This is Gittin's best ever start to a season, with his last win coming at Irwindale in 2008. Rounding out the top three were Rhys Millen in his Hyundai Genesis Coupe in second and Tanner Foust in his NASCAR V8-powered Scion tC in third.

Vaughn was nice enough to send over video of his victorious drifting runs that includes some fantastic in-car footage. Hit the jump to watch, and be sure to turn up the volume!

Vaughn Gittin Jr: Monster’s Street Fighting Man from Drift Alliance on Vimeo.

Video: Vaughn Gittin takes first win of 2010 Formula Drift season — Autoblog