Big red's race crew
The Big Red Camaro’s race crew is a highly skilled and dedicated team, renowned for their expertise in optimizing the performance of the iconic vehicle. With meticulous attention to detail and a passion for speed, they strive to push the limits of racing excellence with each competition they enter.
RJ Gottlieb, a racing prodigy whose iconic Camaro, Big Red, ignited the track since 1987 before roaring onto the silver screen in the Fast & Furious franchise. From blazing through legendary races like La Carrera Classica, where RJ barely survived a devastating crash, to making a cameo in the blockbuster movie, Big Red epitomizes speed and power, embodying RJ’s relentless pursuit of automotive excellence. Discover the fastest Camaro ever, reaching speeds of up to 266 mph, and join the thrill ride of a racing legend and his legendary machine, which still dominates the tracks today, inspiring enthusiasts around the globe.
All the while, RJ raced his now infamous Big Red Camaro at one-off specialty events like the La Carrera and Nevada’s Silver State Classic Challenge, setting records in Big Red, as well as winning the SCCA Super Production Class Championship.
While RJ was in college, he continued to race the IMSA GTS, and they continued to bring Big Red every year to the Silver State Classic Challenge. By 1992, RJ was working full time and was headed to graduate school in Indiana. Dan sold all the family race cars except for one. Big Red was sent to and put on display at Don Laughlin’s Classic Car Museum at the Riverboat Casino in Laughlin, Nevada fter 10 years, RJ returned to California, and he and his Dad began the work of pulling the iconic Outlaw Racer out of retirement. The complete restoration lasted nearly a year, and took the car beyond its former glory with upgrades in technology not available in the ’80s. Team Big Red, many of whom had been onboard since the beginning, raced the car a few times before its big comeback at the Silver State Classic Challenge in 2006.
Since then, RJ and the team have been more active than ever, making multiple appearances and setting more records at events like The Texas Mile, Virginia City Hill Climb, Mojave Mile, VARA’s Big Bore Bash. Silver State Classic, SCTA Land Speed Racing at El Mirage and Bonneville and, most recently, The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
TEAM MEMBERS
1) RJ Gottlieb (TEAM MEMBER) Driver of Big Red Camaro
2) Daniel M. Gottlieb (TEAM MEMBER) -(05-11-1940 to 01-29-2024) Founder of Big Red Camaro
3) Bill J. Osborne (TEAM MEMBER) -(11-24-1946 to 08-29-2009) Chassis Builder for Big Red Camaro
4) Larry Mollicone (TEAM MEMBER) -(11-18-1933 to 03-01-2023) Engine Builder for Big Red Camaro
5) Cliff Whetstone (TEAM MEMBER) -(04-27-1960 to 04-08-2024) Race Mechanic for Big Red Camaro
6) Jordan Smith (TEAM MEMBER) -(10-04-1958 to 03-21-2018) Videographer for Big Red Camaro
7) Zachary Smith (TEAM MEMBER) Computer Technician for Big Red Camaro
8) David Ward (TEAM MEMBER) Team Manager, Fabricator & Crew Chief for Big Red Camaro
9) Mark Ewing (TEAM MEMBER) Car Chief & Logistics for Big Red Camaro
10) Don Ewing (TEAM MEMBER) Owned Inland Chassis Design that Built Big Red Camaro
11) Eric Rhee (TEAM MEMBER) Engine Tuner & Mechanic for Big Red Camaro
12) Jack Nickerson (TEAM MEMBER) Electrician/Wiring & Race Mechanic for Big Red Camaro
13) Tim Fleenor (TEAM MEMBER) Past Car Chief, Fabricator & Mechanic for Big Red Camaro
14) Shawn Umphries (TEAM MEMBER) Race Mechanic for Big Red Camaro
15) David Kennedy (TEAM MEMBER) Executive at Hot Rod Magazine & NHRA
16) Sean Swanson (TEAM MEMBER) Office & Fulfillment Manager for Big Red Camaro
17) Shane Stoklos (TEAM MEMBER) Special Equipment Camera Operator for Big Red Camaro
18) Eddie Cummings (TEAM MEMBER) Commercial Truck Driver & Track Support Crew
19) Chris Kaufmann (TEAM MEMBER) Race Consultant & Navigator for Big Red in La Carrera Classica
20) Rob Kasch (TEAM MEMBER) Graphics & Signage for Big Red Camaro
21) Joe Pettitt (TEAM MEMBER) Editor for Hot Rod Magazine & Navigator for Big Red in Silver State Classic
22) Josh Oliver (TEAM MEMBER) Executive Producer of Big Red Camaro TV Show ‘Driving Fast & Taking Chances’
23) Lucas Graham (TEAM MEMBER) Director of Photography for Big Red Camaro
24) Justin Shell (TEAM MEMBER) Camera Operator & Post-Production Supervisor for Big Red Camaro
25) Patrick Norman (TEAM MEMBER) Editor for Big Red Camaro TV Show ‘Driving Fast & Taking Chances’
26) Jim Dzuria (TEAM MEMBER) Director of Photography for Big Red Camaro
27) Nick Nakahara (TEAM MEMBER) Race Car Photographer for Big Red Camaro
28) Mike Ferguson (TEAM MEMBER) Bonneville & El Mirage Consultant & Crew for Big Red Camaro
29) Jerry Cornelison (TEAM MEMBER) Bonneville & El Mirage Consultant for Big Red Camaro
30) Brian Macy (TEAM MEMBER) Supercharger/Forced Induction Consultant for Big Red Camaro
31) Greg Pursley (TEAM MEMBER) NASCAR Racer & Team Consultant for Big Red Camaro
32) Irina Gottlieb (TEAM MEMBER) RJ’s Wife & Support for Big Red Camaro Team
33) Marcia Caden (TEAM MEMBER) RJ’s Mother & Support for Big Red Camaro Team
34) Lorna Ward (TEAM MEMBER) Event Coordinator & Crew Support for Big Red Camaro Team
35) Denise Ewing (TEAM MEMBER) Crew Support for Big Red Camaro Team
36) Julie Whetstone (TEAM MEMBER) Baked Cookies & Brownies for Big Red Camaro Team
37) Toni Serrano (TEAM MEMBER) Crew Support for Big Red Camaro Team
38) Rachel Umphries (TEAM MEMBER) Crew Support for Big Red Camaro Team
39) Jackie Fleenor (TEAM MEMBER) Crew Support for Big Red Camaro Team
40) Chris Hamilton (TEAM MEMBER) Original Fabricator for Big Red Camaro
41) Mike Krause (TEAM MEMBER) Original Fabricator for Big Red Camaro
ASSOCIATES
42) Patrick Gehring (ASSOCIATE) -(07-27-1962 to 07-13-2020) Superfan & Patron Saint for Big Red Camaro
43) Al Noe (ASSOCIATE) Summit Racing Equipment/ Chief Marketing Officer
44) Jim Greenleaf (ASSOCIATE) Summit Racing Equipment/ Motorsports & Events Manager
45) Tommy Dupree (ASSOCIATE) Summit Racing Equipment/ Motorsports & Events Coordinator
46) Michael Face (ASSOCIATE) Original Big Red Camaro Painter
47) Tony Huntimer (ASSOCIATE) Writer, Editor & Social Media Director
48) Mark Stielow (ASSOCIATE) Pro-Touring Legend & GM Auto Designer
49) Larry Callahan (ASSOCIATE) Pro-Touring Legend
50) Ron Main (ASSOCIATE) Land Speed Racing Legend
51) Mike Cook Jr. (ASSOCIATE) Land Speed Racing Legend
52) Victor Ghiselene (ASSOCIATE) Gunsmith & Superfan of big Red Camaro
53) Rick Norris (ASSOCIATE) Social Media Consultant to Big Red Camaro
54) Travis Burroughs (ASSOCIATE) TV Series Producer
55) Scott Killeen (ASSOCIATE) Publisher of Team Killeen Build Book for Big Red Camaro
56) Chris De La Garza (ASSOCIATE) Big Red Camaro TV Series Director of Photography
57) Jeff Smith (ASSOCIATE) Editor Hot Rod & Car Craft
58) Sam Maloof (ASSOCIATE) SoCal Motorsports Guru
59) Hanna Maloof (ASSOCIATE) Motorsport Guru & Social Media Influencer
60) Rick Wymer (ASSOCIATE) Fabricator & Welder for Big Red Camaro
61) Chris Rolands (ASSOCIATE) Fabricator & Welder for Big Red Camaro
62) Aaron Mayer (ASSOCIATE) Assistant to Big Red Camaro Team
63) Reece Moore (ASSOCIATE) Race Car Photographer for Big Red Camaro
64) Steve Waldman (ASSOCIATE) SSCC Race Promoter
65) Gail Waldman (ASSOCIATE) SSCC Race Promoter
66) Heather Macy (ASSOCIATE) The EFI Store
67) Suzy Bauter (ASSOCIATE) Publicist/Marketing for Big Red Camaro
68) Bob Leonhardt (ASSOCIATE) Rebuilt/Refreshed Engines for Big Red Camaro
69) John Fergeson (ASSOCIATE) Electrician/Wiring before Jack Nickerson for Big Red Camaro
SPECIAL THANKS
70) Dax Shepard (SPECIAL THANKS) Actor & Director CHIPS Movie
71) Danger Dan (SPECIAL THANKS) Hoonigan
72) John Chase (SPECIAL THANKS) Hoonigan & Build Biology
73) Zachary Mertens (SPECIAL THANKS) Hoonigan (Mister Zachary)
74) Mike Borders (SPECIAL THANKS) Mojave Mile Race Promoter
75) Amir Rosenbaum (SPECIAL THANKS) Spectre 341 Challenge Promoter
76) Jimmy Day (SPECIAL THANKS) Race Event Promoter & Announcer
77) Randy Ruyle (SPECIAL THANKS) Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race Director
78) Megan Lethan (SPECIAL THANKS) Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Coordinator
79) Jeanette Bourke (SPECIAL THANKS) VARA General Manager
80) Bill Lattin (SPECIAL THANKS) SCTA President
81) Jay Matus (SPECIAL THANKS) Texas Mile Promoter
82) Shannon Matus (SPECIAL THANKS) Texas Mile Promoter
83) Mike Coulter (SPECIAL THANKS) Postproduction Sound & Recordist
84) Shawn Davis (SPECIAL THANKS) Social Media Influencer & Car Guru
85) Gary Durrett (SPECIAL THANKS) Editor for Big Red Camaro Series
86) Darren Corrigan (SPECIAL THANKS) Painter/Muralist
87) David Freiburger (SPECIAL THANKS) Hot Rod Magazine
88) Elana Scherr (SPECIAL THANKS) Editor Hot Rod Magazine
89) Robert Kinnan (SPECIAL THANKS) Hot Rod “Baddest Ever Article”
90) Bill Guzenski (SPECIAL THANKS) Motorsports Guru/Race Event Announcer
91) Bob Vrbancic (SPECIAL THANKS) Engine Builder
92) OJ (SPECIAL THANKS) The Carb Shop, Tuned Carburetors for Big Red Camaro
93) Brett Rounsville (SPECIAL THANKS) Paint & Bodywork for Big Red Camaro
94) Bob Lambeck (SPECIAL THANKS) NHRA Legend & Race Consultant for Big Red Camaro
95) Little Louie (SPECIAL THANKS) Pinstripe & Paint Detail for Big Red Camaro
96) Bob Dietz (SPECIAL THANKS) Dietz in ‘Dietz & Ward’s Dinosaur’ Altered & Crewed for Big Red Camaro
97) Bob Godfrey (SPECIAL THANKS) Ceramic Coatings for Big Red Camaro
98) Bill Felts (SPECIAL THANKS) Chrome & Polish for Big Red Camaro
99) Rick Elam (SPECIAL THANKS) Baer Brake Systems for Big Red Camaro
100) Mike Doman (SPECIAL THANKS) Painting & Body for Big Red Camaro
101) Tom Berkland (SPECIAL THANKS) Aero Engineer for Wind Tunnel Testing for Big Red Camaro
102) Rex Svoboda (SPECIAL THANKS) High-Speed Tire Testing & Research for Big Red Camaro
103) Joel Staggs (SPECIAL THANKS) Crewed & Found Clean Gen-1 Body for Big Red Camaro