The Creative Drive

Long before YouTube creators, influencers, and social media became careers, John Naderi was already trying to bring automotive media online.
In this episode of The Creative Drive, John shares the incredible story of helping shape the early days of automotive digital media—from Super Street Magazine and Overboost.com to launching Rice Boy TV pre-YouTube. He explains why traditional magazines resisted the internet, what it was like documenting Japan's legendary tuning scene before social media, and why being "too early" can be just as difficult as being wrong.
We also dive into:
The birth of automotive creator cultureBehind-the-scenes stories from Super Street MagazineThe golden era of Japanese tuning and Time AttackHKS, Top Secret, Signal Auto, Spoon, JUN Auto, and the legends of JDMWhy John believes creators should think of themselves as storytellers—not influencersHow to build a sustainable creator business in today's changing media landscapeWhy owning your audience is more important than chasing algorithmsWhat's next for the automotive creator economy
If you're a creator, automotive enthusiast, marketer, or simply fascinated by how media evolves, this conversation is packed with lessons from someone who helped build the industry before most people even knew it existed.
Subscribe for more conversations with the creators, entrepreneurs, racers, and innovators shaping the future of automotive culture.https://offers.racer.com/subscribe for RACER+ and magazine offer!
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#TheCreativeDrive #JohnNaderi #AutomotiveCreators #JDM #CarCulture #YouTubeCreators #SuperStreet #AutomotiveMedia #ContentCreator #TimeAttack #RACER #CreatorEconomy #HKS #TopSecret #Overboost #JapaneseCars

Why does Toyota spend billions on motorsports? According to Toyota Gazoo Racing Global Motorsports Director Masaya Kaji, it's not about advertising—it's about building better people, better technology, and ultimately better cars.
In this episode of The Creative Drive, host Taro Koki sits down with one of the key leaders behind Toyota Gazoo Racing to discuss the philosophy driving one of the world's most successful motorsports programs.
Kaji explains Toyota's unique "People, Product, Pipeline" strategy, how lessons from WEC, the Nürburgring, Super GT, and Formula 1 influence production vehicles like the GR Yaris and GR Corolla, and why Toyota views racing as a development laboratory rather than a marketing exercise.
The conversation also explores Toyota's partnership with Haas F1, the future of Super GT, talent development, Morizo's vision for Toyota Gazoo Racing, and why authentic storytelling is essential to growing motorsports around the world.
In this episode:Why Toyota says motorsport is not advertisingThe "People, Product, Pipeline" philosophyHow racing improves Toyota production carsThe future of Toyota's Formula 1 partnership with HaasDeveloping the next generation of drivers and engineersGrowing Super GT internationallyWhy storytelling is critical to motorsports
Subscribe for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of automotive culture and motorsports.
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Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQFollow RACER.Podcasts on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.podcasts  Follow RACER.HQ on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.hq/Follow RACER Network on IG:   https://www.instagram.com/ racer_network  Follow host Taro Koki on IG:https://www.instagram.com/tarokoki99/🌐 Website: RACER.com🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.
#TheCreativeDrive #Toyota #TGR #GazooRacing #CarCulture #AutomotiveMedia #CreatorEconomy #Motorsports #RACER  #GTChannel AutomotivePodcast #Toyota #ToyotaGazooRacing #GRCorolla #GRYaris #Formula1 #WEC #LeMans #SuperGT #Motorsports #TheCreativeDrive 

What does it take to turn a passion project into one of the most influential automotive brands in the world?
In this episode of The Creative Drive, Taro Koki sits down with Brian Scotto, co-founder of Hoonigan and one of the masterminds behind Ken Block's rise from rally driver to global icon. Brian shares never-before-heard stories about meeting Ken Block, the creation of the original Gymkhana video, the accidental discovery of YouTube as a distribution platform, and how a simple idea evolved into a cultural phenomenon that changed automotive media forever.
The conversation dives deep into:
🏁 How Brian first met Ken Block during the Gumball 3000🏁 The early days of rally racing and building Ken's personal brand🏁 The creation of the original Gymkhana film and why it almost never happened🏁 Getting a $28,000 bandwidth bill before discovering YouTube🏁 The origins of the name **Hoonigan** and the "that ain't care" mentality🏁 Building Hoonigan into a content and apparel powerhouse🏁 Creating one of the most successful automotive YouTube channels of all time🏁 Why automotive culture never died—it simply moved online🏁 The challenges of selling Hoonigan and transitioning into corporate life🏁 How Ken Block's passing changed everything🏁 Reinventing himself after Hoonigan and finding purpose again
This episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, creator economics, brand building, and the power of authentic storytelling. Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, marketer, or lifelong car enthusiast, Brian's journey offers invaluable lessons on taking risks, embracing change, and building communities that transcend industries.
About The Creative Drive
Hosted by **Taro Koki**, President of RACER Creator Network and founder of GTChannel, *The Creative Drive* explores the people, ideas, and stories shaping automotive culture and the creator economy. From legendary racers and filmmakers to entrepreneurs and industry disruptors, each episode uncovers the creative journeys behind the world's most influential automotive personalities.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with the innovators driving car culture forward.
https://offers.racer.com/subscribe for RACER+ and magazine offer!Follow https://www.instagram.com/brianscotto/?hl=enFollow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQFollow RACER.Podcasts on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.podcasts  Follow RACER.HQ on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.hq/Follow RACER Network on IG:   https://www.instagram.com/ racer_network  Follow host Taro Koki on IG:https://www.instagram.com/tarokoki99/🌐 Website: RACER.com🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.
#TheCreativeDrive #BrianScotto #Hoonigan #KenBlock #Gymkhana #CarCulture #AutomotiveMedia #CreatorEconomy #Motorsports #RACER #YouTubeCreators #Entrepreneurship #GTChannel #FormulaDrift #AutomotivePodcast

What makes Liberty Walk one of the most influential brands in automotive culture?
In this episode of Creative Drive, Liberty Walk founder Wataru Kato shares the philosophy that transformed a small Japanese tuning shop into a global movement. From preserving car culture and inspiring younger generations to creating a community built around passion, Kato explains why Liberty Walk has always been about more than modified cars.
We discuss the importance of collaboration, authentic brand building, creating experiences that connect people, and why the automotive industry must actively engage the next generation rather than simply complain that young people aren't interested in cars anymore.
This is an inspiring conversation in community building, brand philosophy, and the responsibility enthusiasts have to keep automotive culture thriving for future generations.Follow https://www.instagram.com/libertywalkkato/Topics:• The true mission of Liberty Walk• Preserving automotive culture• Getting young people excited about cars• Building a global community• Brand collaborations and storytelling• Why passion matters more than products• The future of automotive enthusiasm
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#LibertyWalk #WataruKato #CarCulture #Automotive #JDM #CreativeDrive #Motorsports #CarCommunity #LBWK

NFL linebacker Eric Kendricks joins The Creative Drive to talk about his lifelong obsession with cars, from Fox Body Mustangs, Porsche GT3 RSs and Honda CRXs to why more NFL players are getting deep into automotive culture.
In this episode:
Growing up as a real car enthusiast before the NFLLearning to work on project cars himselfWhy 90s cars are undervalued right nowNFL players and drifting cultureSocial media, authenticity, and building community through carsWhy he wants to become a host and creator himself
This isn’t just another celebrity car interview — it’s a conversation about identity, passion, and the people who move car culture forward.
https://offers.racer.com/subscribe for RACER+ and magazine offer!Follow https://www.instagram.com/erickendricks/Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQFollow RACER.Podcasts on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.podcasts  Follow RACER.HQ on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.hq/Follow RACER Network on IG:   https://www.instagram.com/ racer_network  Follow host Taro Koki on IG:https://www.instagram.com/tarokoki99/👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow car enthusiasts.
#RACER #CreativeDrivePodcast  #CarCulture     #CreativeDrive #EricKendricks #CarCulture #NFL #JDM #FoxBody #CRX #AutomotivePodcast

From calling Vaughn Gittin Jr. “Mr. Plow” after a full-send collision to breaking down what really separates drivers, creators, and brands—this is an unfiltered episode of the Creative Drive with Formula Drift emcee, Jarod DeAnda. 
We get into iconic moments, behind-the-scenes stories from Formula Drift, and what it actually takes to stand out in a world where everyone’s chasing attention.
Jarod has been there and done it. With legends like Ken Block to creators building their own lanes, the real lesson is simple:
Be authentic—or get left behind.
Topics covered:– Formula Drift moments and turning controversy into culture– The most technical drivers in Formula Drift– How does Jarod prepare for big gigs like Goodwood or the X games. – Media, creators, and the future of car culture– Why authenticity beats everything
If you’re into motorsports, content creation, or just building something real—this one’s for you.
https://offers.racer.com/subscribe for RACER+ and magazine offer!Follow https://www.instagram.com/jaroddeandaFollow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQFollow RACER.Podcasts on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.podcasts  Follow RACER.HQ on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.hq/Follow RACER Network on IG:   https://www.instagram.com/ racer_network  Follow host Taro Koki on IG:https://www.instagram.com/tarokoki99/👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow car enthusiasts.
#sendit #formuladrift #RACER #CreativeDrivePodcast  #CarCulture     

In this episode of Creative Drive, we sit down with Mazen Fawaz, Chief Strategy Officer at Singer Vehicle Design—the company redefining what a Porsche can be.
Singer is certainly not about horsepower, lap times, or chasing records. It’s about something far more obsessive: beauty, craftsmanship, and the driving experience.
Our host Taro Koki and Maz speak about..
What actually makes a Singer differentWhy they don’t care about being the fastestThe reality of building cars at extreme qualityHow Singer went from 5 cars… to years-long waitlistsThe future of Willow Springs International Raceway and why it matters for car culture
We also dive into the business behind Singer, the challenges of manufacturing at a boutique scale, and what it takes to build a brand that enthusiasts truly believe in.
Singer is about how cars, culture, design, and obsession come together to create something timeless.
https://offers.racer.com/subscribe for RACER+ and magazine offer!Follow https://www.instagram.com/singervehicledesignFollow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQFollow RACER.Podcasts on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.podcasts  Follow RACER.HQ on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.hq/Follow RACER Network on IG:   https://www.instagram.com/ racer_network  Follow host Taro Koki on IG:https://www.instagram.com/tarokoki99/👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow car enthusiasts.
#singervehicledesign #porsche #willowsprings #RACER #CreativeDrivePodcast  #CarCulture     

In this special episode of Creative Drive, we sit down with Tatsuru Ichishima, the founder of Spoon Sports — one of the most iconic names in the world of Honda tuning and JDM car culture.
Ichishima-san started SPOON in 1988 with a simple philosophy: make Honda cars faster without sacrificing reliability. What began as grassroots racing and homemade parts eventually became a globally respected tuning brand known for its distinctive blue and yellow race cars and legendary Honda performance engines.
In this conversation, recorded in Tokyo, we dive deep into the history of SPOON and the early days of Japanese car culture.
Topics in this episode include:
• The early days of racing Honda production cars• How SPOON began as a small race program• The rise of Honda tuning culture in the 1980s and 1990s• Why endurance racing shaped SPOON’s engineering philosophy• How SPOON engine kits spread around the world before the internet• The unexpected role of the Macau Grand Prix in growing the brand globally• The origins of SPOON’s famous blue and yellow color scheme• Thoughts on the future of car culture and motorsports
From racing motorcycles in the 1970s to building one of the most respected performance brands in the world, Ichishima-san shares the story behind a company that helped define the golden era of Japanese tuning.
If you love Honda, JDM history, racing, and automotive entrepreneurship, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Subscribe for more conversations with the creators shaping car culture.
Listen to Creative Drive on all podcast platforms
https://offers.racer.com/subscribe for RACER+ and magazine offer!Follow https://www.instagram.com/roundcatgarage/Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQFollow RACER.Podcasts on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.podcasts  Follow RACER.HQ on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.hq/Follow RACER Network on IG:   https://www.instagram.com/ racer_network  Follow host Taro Koki on IG:https://www.instagram.com/tarokoki99/👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow car enthusiasts.
#spoonsports #typeone #honda #jdm #RACER #CreativeDrivePodcast  #CarCulture     Website: racer.com

In this episode of the Creative Drive, we talk with Mickey Andrade about finally entering the Skyline world after years of admiration, starting not with an R34, but with an R32 — and how a business acquisition helped kickstart a serious JDM collection.
We dive into:
• The surreal feeling of seeing R34s legally in the U.S.• Starting a Skyline journey with the R32• Why every car in the collection is white• The influence of Japanese car culture icons like Taniguchi• The inspiration behind building a monochromatic car collection
From spending some time in Japan to building a stateside collection, this conversation is about influence, aspiration, and how early 2000s JDM culture leaves a permanent mark.
Because sometimes it’s not just about owning the car — it’s about honoring the vision that inspired you in the first place.https://offers.racer.com/subscribe for RACER+ and magazine offer!Follow https://www.instagram.com/roundcatgarage/Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQFollow RACER.Podcasts on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.podcasts  Follow RACER.HQ on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.hq/Follow RACER Network on IG:   https://www.instagram.com/ racer_network  Follow host Taro Koki on IG:https://www.instagram.com/tarokoki99/👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow car enthusiasts.
#throtl #roundcatgarage #skyline #gtr #RACER #CreativeDrivePodcast  #CarCulture     

Zack Klapman, co-host of The Smoking Tire and host of the RACER Creator Awards, joins The Creative Drive podcast to talk all things cars, moving to LA from Colorado to be on TV and the evolution of automotive content.
In this episode, Zack shares:
How his writing and podcasting career prepared him to host shows and tackle press carsHow Tom Segura helped triple their revenueInterviewing Steve Dinan, Gale Banks and Jerry SeinfeldWild experiences with Hagerty Rated, riding shotgun with FD champion Dai YoshiharaThe hardest cars to review (fast wagons, M5 Touring, GT3 RS) and dream cars that would “bankrupt you emotionally”King of the Hammers behind-the-scenes: rock crawling, RV towns, nighttime madness, and total chaosMatt and Zack are going racing with Cleetus McFarland in the Freedom 500Insights into LA car culture, creator & brand trends, and the cars that are “boostin’ it” right now
From laughs to lessons, Zack dives deep into creative drive, car culture, and extreme motorsports — giving you a candid look at what fuels him as a creator in the automotive world.
https://offers.racer.com/subscribe for RACER+ and magazine offer!Follow https://www.instagram.com/directorlukeh/Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQFollow RACER.Podcasts on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.podcasts  Follow RACER.HQ on IG: https://www.instagram.com/racer.hq/Follow RACER Network on IG:   https://www.instagram.com/ racer_network  Follow host Taro Koki on IG:https://www.instagram.com/tarokoki99/👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with your fellow car enthusiasts.
#RACERCreatorAwards #RACER #CreativeDrivePodcast  #CarCulture