Ford came to GrindTV and asked if we would be interested in a car ride at 100mph skidding out of control across the parking lot of the Forum in LA.
Absolutely!

Professional Drifter Vaughn Gittin, Jr teamed up with Ford and the new 2010 GT Mustang to show us what drifting was all about. After hearing Vaughn explain to us what we were going to be doing "Imagine going 100mph on the fwy, pulling the e-brake, and turning your car sideways." I got in the mustang reluctantly.

It was ridiculous; all I could think about while being tossed around the car was how lucky Vaughn is to be paid to do this for a living. I couldn't believe how in control he was for being so out of control.

The high performance Mustang was sick; it had everything you could want in an American muscle car.

Through Aug. 15, Vaughn and Ford are teaming up to give consumers the opportunity to live out the ultimate driving experience behind the wheel of a 2010 Ford Mustang GT. For more info about the ultimate driving experience and the 2010 Mustang go to www.the2010mustang.com.




They go through $40,000 to $50,000 in tires a year during the drifting season.(photo: Mike Maez)



Vaughn Gittin Jr has the eyes of a focused Tiger...Good Luck in the 2009 Drifting season.(photo: Mike Maez)


The 2010 Mustang has some serious horsepower! (photo: Janos Palko)


GrindTV Nate looking like a moto cop, all he needs is a mustache. (photo: Mike Maez)


A special thanks to the Ford Team, and Vaughn Gittin Jr. for a great experience flying across
the parking lot. (photo: Mike Maez)

Team Australia took home their fifth ISA World Junior championship yesterday in Salinas, Ecuador in front of one of the largest crowds ever seen at a junior surfing event. Aussie, Dean Bowen, won the Boys Under 18 individual title, and his country mate, Tyler Wright, finished in gold position in Girls Under 18.

For the second year in a row Santa Ana's Courtney Conlogue surfed great, she finished second in the Girls Under 18, and was the only America to medal. Team America finished in the Copper, or forth position, in the overall standings.

In the Boys Under 16 division it was Hawaiian, Keanu Asing, who won the individual gold, and in the process put team Hawaii into the silver position in the overall standings.

If the performance put on by Team Australia in this event reflects what is to come, not much will change. The Aussies dominate competitive surfing and have for years. The top 10 on the ASP Word Tour is usually predominately Australian, and if it wasn't for Mr. Slater they'd have a lot more World Champions. Here's some photos:


Dean Bowen snaps one off-the-top on his way to victory.


Keanu Asing with a backside bash.


Bowen gets his victory ride.


Tyler Wright gets her lift.

Here's some video footage:





For a more photos click here, and for an in-depth first hand account of the contest click here.

Overall Standing

1. Australia, Gold
2. Hawaii, Silver
3. Brazil, Bronze
4. USA, Copper

The Winter Dew Tour announced today that Janna Meyen-Weatherby has won the Playstation Pro Moment Award for her switch 720.

"I'm so stoked! It's always awesome to be recognized by your peers and the fans, especially when they have to go out and vote for you," said Meyen-Weatherby. "It's cool when people are stoked on what you do. Winning the PlayStation Pro Moment award has gotten me even more excited to be a part of the Winter Dew Tour going into next season."

It's been a good few days for Janna, she also won the Roxy Chicken Jam, as well as best trick in the jam for her rock to fakie on the wall ride. For more on Janna cruise over to the Volcom gals site by clicking here.

The ISA World Junior Surfing Championships kicks off today in Ecuador. This year the US has put together a solid team that should give the dominant Australians a run for their money.

In the Boys Under 18 division the US is sending some very talented surfers especially Nat Young, who last year was NSSA Open Men's National Champion, and took home the O'Neill Cold Water Classic as well. Click here for to read an interview MORINformed did with Nat a few months back in Hawaii. In this division the Aussies have won every year but two that this contest has existed, Hawaii and Brazil each have a win apiece.

The US also has a talented Boys Under 16 team. Two names in particular, Kolohe Andino and Evan Geiselman, are sure to make their impressions felt.

In the Girl's under 18, Courtney Conlogue and the the rest of the US team are looking solid. Conlogue has been a force in competitive female surfing for some time, and is ready to bring a Girl's Under 18 title home to the United States.

GrindTV will be presenting a live webcast of the event, so stop by tomorrow and cheer for your favorite surfing country.

Here's the official 2009 PacSun USA Surf Team travel roster:

BOYS UNDER 18

Nat Young

Evan Thompson

Fisher Heverly

Chase Wilson

Alternate: Balaram Stack

BOYS UNDER 16

Kolohe Andino

Conner Coffin

Evan Geiselman

Ian Crane

Alternate: Jacob Halstead and Colin Moran

GIRLS UNDER 18

Courtney Conlogue

Lakey Peterson

Kaleigh Gilchrist

Lani Doherty

Alternate: Taylor Pitz