How many of you guys remember R.J. and Dan Gottlieb’s “Big Red Camaro”? Big Red is a ’69 Camaro that has developed into what many call “an animal”, but its humble beginnings started with not much more than a rollcage around the driver, and a John Lingenfelter-built 540 inch big-block. That original engine created an earth-shaking 800 horsepower, and pushed the car to over 200 mph.
The car made its first appearance at the 1988 La Carerra Road Race, a 120-mile race that has drivers run full-bore. Not knowing what was about to happen, officials started Big Red in the third position, and it didn’t take long for Big Red to catch—and pass, those two other cars.
Ok, enough about the history of the car, let’s talk about what’s coming up. Would you believe a television series focusing on the legendary car? Handcrafted Entertainment and Team Big Red Camaro, announced the television series about the car—and driver RJ Gottlieb and the crew. The show will be called simply, Big Red: The Original Outlaw Racer. The series will take viewers back in time, and show the car’s humble beginnings in a Detroit factory in the late 1960’s, to its resurrection in 1986. That is when Dan and R.J. Gottlieb started the storied journey with the car.
“The Big Red series is filmed like no other,” says Josh Oliver, executive producer at Handcrafted Entertainment, Inc. “This show is part historical documentary, part event style racing coverage and 100-percent adrenaline-fueled action. We spared no expense in utilizing industry professionals and big budget movie making equipment to capture the action with never-before-seen perspectives and clarity.”
The mini-series will involve eight, one-hour episodes, beginning July 27th, chronicling Big Red’s journey. You’ll see the car at speed during The Silver State Challenge, and get to witness the action in Vintage Auto Racing. The show will even invite you to check out the car’s record-setting runs on the salt at Bonneville.
For more on the car, check out www.bigredcamaro.com