The Creative Drive

How Brian Scotto Helped Ken Block Launch Gymkhana

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

Liberty Walk's Real Mission: Wataru Kato's JDM Revolution

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
https://offers.racer.com/subscribe for RACER+ and magazine offer!Follow https://www.instagram.com/libertywalkkato/
#LibertyWalk #WataruKato #CarCulture #Automotive #JDM #CreativeDrive #Motorsports #CarCommunity #LBWK

NFL Linebacker Erick Kendricks Has Better Car Taste Than Most Influencers

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

Jarod DeAnda - Inside Drift Culture

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     

The Truth About Singer: These $1M Porsches Aren’t About Speed - Maz Fawaz

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     

SPOON Founder Tatsuru Ichishima - Global JDM Icon

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

Love for JDM Skylines and Round Cat Garage - Mickey Andrade

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     

Early Days of The Smoking Tire, Favorite Cars and Racing - Zack Klapman

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     

Car Culture, Street Drifting, and Believing Anyway - Luke Huxham in Japan

Director Luke Huxham joins Creative Drive for a wide-ranging conversation shaped by nearly two decades living and working in Japan. From street drifting and underground scenes to large-scale cultural events, Luke shares an insider’s view of how Japanese car culture has evolved—and why it’s far from fading.
The episode digs into Luke’s path through automotive filmmaking, documenting builders and drivers, and eventually creating his own events that spotlight culture as much as cars. He talks candidly about the realities of organizing Japan Car Week, collaborating with long-standing community figures, and building spaces that give both creators and car owners something new to experience.
Luke also opens up about the mindset required to pursue bigger creative swings, including feature films, in an industry where there’s rarely room for permission. If you don’t believe you can do it, he says, step aside—someone else is ready to try.
This episode is about conviction, community, and why car culture continues to thrive when people are willing to put in the work.
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
 

Charlotte Traynor on Her MX-5 Cup Scholarship Win and Prototype Dream

Fresh off her monumental win of the 2025 Women in Motorsports MX-5 Cup Scholarship, 19-year-old Charlotte Traynor joins The Creative Drive podcast from the PRI Show!
Charlotte opens up about her unconventional journey into racing—from a family of pilots to a competitive gymnast—and the moment she knew a race car was her calling. She details how a chance encounter led her to the Mazda MX-5 Cup, a highly competitive and strategic series under the IMSA banner.
This episode dives into:- What the $100,000 scholarship means for her 2026 season in the Mazda MX-5 Cup.
- Dealing with the pressure of racing, battling imposter syndrome, and finding resilience after hearing from trailblazers like Lynn St. James.
- Her dedication to intense physical training in the Arizona heat and professional sim racing to achieve her ultimate goal of racing a prototype car in the WeatherTech Championship.
- Why she is committed to sharing her real, unvarnished story with fans to break the "robot" race car driver mold and inspire the next generation.
- Her drive to become the first female driver to win a Mazda MX-5 Cup race.
Follow Charlotte Traynor's journey:- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlottetraynor_ - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charlottetraynor37- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@charlottetraynor_
To learn more about Mazda: https://bit.ly/4ax7TrK
#racer #podcast #creativedrive #mazda #mx5cup #motorsport #autoracing #charlottetraynor #tarokoki