Momentum - February 2019 - 18

CAREER
PATH

DOSSIER: MARIO GUTIERREZ OF
ROBBY GORDON MOTORSPORTS
TO SAY THAT MARIO GUTIERREZ is all about off-road racing is an
understatement. When last contacted by MOMENTUM midday on
January 17, 2019, the San Diego State University graduate with a
bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering was making his way to the
finish line of the 2019 Dakar Rally. Mario has been doing engineering
contract work for off-road racing teams, currently working with
Robby Gordon Motorsports. Specifically, he's been helping to design,
prototype, and test various parts for the Textron Wildcat XX side by
sides (UTVs).
"We have just been pushing to meet deadlines for the past four
months on developing these production Wildcats into fully built tube
chassis racecars," he reported. "These cars completed two of the most
challenging off-road races on the planet: the 2018 Baja 1000 and the
2019 Dakar Rally. Actually, I am currently headed to the finish line of the
Dakar Rally as I write this. All three of the cars we raced finished the
torturous, 10-stage, 3100+ mile rally. A truly incredible feat.
"What I love most about my job is the ability to take a design from the
computer and push it all the way through the manufacturing process
and then be able to take part in testing and racing the finished vehicle
in some of the most grueling terrain on the planet. To see these cars
cross the finish line is the most rewarding part of all. Real-life indicator
of success."
Back in September 2018, Mario answered the following questions
from MOMENTUM.

Mario Gutierrez always has his eyes on the checkered flag.

Why did you decide to become an engineer?
From as far back as I can remember, I knew I wanted to be an offroad racecar driver. I also knew that I was going to have to work hard
and fund my way to that goal. I was always around wrenching on the
Gutierrez Racing family racecar and wanted to know how everything

worked and why. I thought, why don't I go to get my
engineering degree to eventually take the knowledge
learned and engineer my own off road race car? I'm still
pursuing my childhood dream.
To what character traits do you attribute your success
to date?
Determination. Being able to set a goal, lay out a plan,
envision accomplishing the goal, and not allowing
roadblocks to stand in the way of achieving what I set
forth for myself has attributed to the success I've had so
far. I am also definitely blessed to have met the people
I now know and to have established the connections I
have in the automotive industry. I've been told you can
see the passion in my eyes, and I would say that my
passion for this industry has definitely helped me get to
the point I currently am in my engineering career.

Mario behind the wheel in the Endurance Event at Baja SAE Illinois 2017.
18 February 2019

Of what accomplishment are you most proud?
Winning the 4-hour Endurance Event at the 2017 Baja
SAE competition in Peoria, Ill. Year after year, race after
race, it was one little issue (or multiple black flags) that
kept us off of that top spot in the Endurance event.
But finally, all the stars aligned, and with a dialed prep,

MOMENTUM

Momentum - February 2019

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