Meet Rj Gottlieb

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rj Gottlieb a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

RJ, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

From a young age, I aspired to become a race car driver. Many racers boast about their ability to drive fast, but only a handful truly possess the skill. This leads to a prevalence of imposters in the world of high-speed driving. I discovered that imposters are quickly revealed in racing, though; your performance is measured by your time, and the results speak for themselves. Pretending to be something you are not in racing only highlights your shortcomings when you fail to win. Conversely, if you do win, it proves you are not an imposter at all. As the driver of the world’s fastest 1969 Camaro, I have amassed a collection of accomplishments that I know demonstrate my capabilities as a skilled racer.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

When I was in my early teens, my father and I shared a dream of creating a unique, record-setting race vehicle. That car, affectionately named the Big Red Camaro, is now known worldwide for its decades of participation in high-speed, open-road racing and is often credited with pioneering the “Pro-Touring” movement. For the last 35 years, I have had the privilege of driving Big Red in competitions across the country and have attained numerous achievements during my racing career of which I am extremely proud – including an overall top speed of 266.2 MPH at the Mojave Magnum, a Bonneville record of 258 MPH, and ascending the summit of Pikes Peak in 11 minutes, 8 seconds.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Be realistic about any situation you face, but remember that it is vital not to get discouraged too easily when working toward your goals. Every great endeavor or worthy cause will have setbacks and challenges, so finding a balance between perseverance and recognizing when to step away is essential.

2. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Seek help and learn from those who are experienced in your field. Everyone has to begin somewhere, and your mentors likely had their own advisors who provided guidance when they were starting out.

3. Have fun! Regardless of what you are doing or working on, have fun with it. In my experience, the people at the top of their field always love what they do – whether that be in business endeavors or the fastest finishers of the races I’ve competed in. The setbacks and challenges they experience are worth the temporary struggle because they enjoy the journey.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

My father played a crucial role in helping me cultivate the skills necessary to tackle challenges. He always motivated me to pursue personal growth, whether in academics or mastering the art of driving on a racetrack. For him, enhancing one’s abilities and knowledge was fundamental to achieving success. I recall a time when I was involved in an accident that prevented me from completing a race, leaving me disheartened. When I expressed my disappointment, my father inquired if I had gained any insights from the occurrence. I replied that I believed so. He then asked if the incident had improved my driving skills. I confirmed that it had, to which he responded that this made the experience worthwhile.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bigredcamaro.com
• Instagram: @thebigredcamaro
• Facebook: @bigredcamaro
• Youtube: @bigredcamaro
• Other: TikTok: @thebigredcamaro