Fanga Dan Announces switch to 950hp American-Built Ford Mustang RTR

After 10 straight years of campaigning Holden Commodores in New Zealand's premier drifting championship, 'Fanga Dan' Woolhouse has confirmed that he will switch to a Formula Drift-spec RTR Ford Mustang for next season's Demon Energy D1NZ National Drifting Champinship and beyond. 

Speaking to Driven, Woolhouse said that the move is a “dream come true.”

“I’ve been walking around with a smile on my face every day. It didn’t feel real until I had my hands on the activation car. Then it really hit home about two weeks ago when Vaughn Gittin Jr did a video for us to play at Big Boys Toys.

“Even telling you now it’s making me shiver.”

Woolhouse confirmed the news this morning, with the reveal of the new car at Big Boys Toys at the Auckland showgrounds where it will be on display for the weekend. 

The car in the reveal is a highly modified current-generation Ford Mustang, but it will largely be used for promotional use. Woolhouse will only take delivery of his 'pro' grade Mustang when American drift legend and joint RTR owner Vaughn Gittin Jr comes to New Zealand in February to compete at the Leadfoot Festival in Hahei. 

Gittin Jr will bring the newly built 950hp (700kW) Roush Yates V8-powered Mustang with him; running it at the event before handing the keys to Woolhouse. 

The exchange is the result of a deal between Woolhouse, the American-based RTR outfit, and New Zealand's Ford Performance distributor CTB Performance and Accessories.

With the car coming across the world in left-hand drive format, and with new international connections in place, Woolhouse is hoping that the move could open up some international opportunities.

“We want to look at possibly doing Japan and doing a few other overseas events next year, and just see where it takes us,” he said.

“We’ve had discussions over some events that happen overseas — that’s one of the reasons I changed to left-hand drive. I want to be able to go overseas without having to learn how to drive a different car.”

Round one of the D1NZ National Drifting Championship kicks off on January 12–13 with a first event at Wellington's Max Motors Speedway Arena.