R.J. Gottlieb is the only man who has ever driven Big Red with one exception, the car’s creator Bill Osborne.
R.J. GOTTLIEB
The Driver
R.J. Gottlieb is the only man who has ever driven Big Red with one exception, the car’s creator Bill Osborne. In 1989 at the age of only 19, he had already set records at two Open Road Racing events: La Carrera Classica and the Silver State Classic Challenge which earned him the dubious title, “The Fastest Teenager in the World.” His prior experience in Pro Stock drag racing, as well as IMSA & SCCA Trans Am and Super Production Road Course Racing, served him well in the pursuit of infamy as the Driver of The Big Red Camaro. But in 1992, though he could have pursued what might have been a fruitful professional driving career R.J. stepped away from the racing scene in favor of business school and working with his father in real estate. Eventually all the Gottlieb’s race cars were sold off except for ONE. In 2003 R.J. returned to California and the lure of speed, and the thirst for conquest reignited the Big Red passion and put him behind the wheel of his legendary Camaro once again. R.J., now in his forties, continues to campaign Big Red in a wide variety of speed contests… both old and new.
DAVE WARD
Team Manager
This story is from the Edition 89 edition of SA Hot Rods.
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This story is from the Edition 89 edition of SA Hot Rods.
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