The Creative Drive

By Racer Media and Marketing, Inc.Business Leisure Automotive Marketing

The Creative Drive episodes

September 23, 2025 Dustin Williams on Building Cars, Chasing Dreams, and Racing - Creative Drive
Dustin Williams is one of the most recognized creators in the JDM and automotive scene, but his story starts far from Tokyo’s mountains and Fuji Speedway. From growing up in Mississippi and considering a career in law enforcement, to taking the leap into content creation and eventually building his dream R34 GT-R in Japan, Dustin’s journey is all about passion, persistence, and chasing what feels impossible.
In this episode of The Creative Drive, host Taro Koki sits down with Dustin to talk about:
His early influences from Fast & Furious and Japanese car culture
The risks of leaving a stable career path to pursue YouTube full time
Building cars at legendary Japanese tuning shops like Midori Seibi
Competing in motorsports, from Time Attack to One Lap of America
Growing Legends Media and the business side of being a creator
The responsibility of influence and advice for the next generation of car YouTubers
Whether you’re into drifting, time attack, or just dream of owning a JDM icon, Dustin’s story proves you’re always one video away from changing your life.
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#CreativeDrive #DustinWilliams #JDM #CarCulture #Motorsport
1 hr 2 min
September 09, 2025 RJ de Vera on Racing, Consulting on The Fast & The Furious and SEMA
From the underground streets of SoCal to the global stage, RJ de Vera has been at the heart of tuner culture’s biggest moments. In this episode of The Creative Drive, we dive into his journey from shaping Super Street magazine, to consulting on the original Fast & Furious, to influencing the industry at SEMA and Meguiar’s. RJ shares untold stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and how tuner culture went mainstream. This conversation is packed with history, strategy, and inspiration from one of the scene’s true pioneers.
0:00 Cold Opening RJ de Vera
0:02:00 RJ and Taro met as RJ was coming off of consulting for The Fast and the Furious?
0:02:50 RACER+ Promotion
0:09:50 No one expected The Fast and the Furious to be the franchise it became
0:11:45 Consulting for brands like American Racing and building Roja Motorsports wheels
0:13:30 First sponsorship from Acura to go racing
0:15:50 Old school racing. We figured it out by blowing up stuff
0:19:00 RJ helped Dai Yoshihara when he was just started out in the US
0:22:00 Consulting for Valvoline and becoming an influencer
0:26:00 How did Keiichi Tsushiya got involved with Drifting 101 Valvoline
0:33:30 Transitioning to a corporate job at Meguires
0:40:00 YouTube, brand deals and being an early brand ambassador
0:44:00 Racecar drivers leveraging social media
0:45:00 How RJ became VP of Marketing at SEMA
0:51:00 SEMA's legislative work
01:05:35 Rapid Fire with RJ de Vera

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#CreativeDrive #CarCulture #AutomotivePodcast #fastandfurious #rjdevera #sema #paulwalker #drifting #influencer
1 hr 21 min
August 26, 2025 How Justin Bell Stopped Racing and Got Paid to Talk - The Creative Drive
Le Mans class winner and TV host Justin Bell joins Creative Drive to share stories from racing at a high level and making the transition to media. From winning on the track to co-hosting with Tommy Kendall, Justin reveals what it takes to bring personality, humor, and insider knowledge to motorsports coverage.
0:00 Justin Bell Intro
02:00 Formula 1 podcast, Drive to Wynn is on it's 3rd year and going strong.
07:30 Justin Bell pushed Creator Drive podcast host, Taro Koki down the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca
09:50 Justin Bell on the Indy Car Series
17:00 Justin Bell on Pratt Miller's mind blowing abilities and NASA
19:20 Monaco and other favorite races to experience
20:45 Growing up as Derek Bell's son
28:40 Standing on the podium with his father at Le Mans
31:00 Transitioning as a racecar driver to TV talent
37:15 Being an entertaining interviewee as a racing car driver helped
41:30 Starting the Torque Show with Jason Jacobson
46:20 Justin on automotive journalism vs creators
51:50 F1 Gunther Steiner, Drive to Survive and swearing
53:10 Justin Bell should do an alternative cast on RACER
55:35 Rapid Fire with Justin Bell
58:00 Who's Boostin it? with Justin Bell
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into the people driving car culture forward.
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🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.

#justinbell
#drivetowynn
#formula1podcast
#formula1
#CreativeDrive
#CarCulture
#racecommentator
#AutomotivePodcast
#racing
#motorsport
#RACERpodcast

1 hr 3 min
August 12, 2025 Brett King’s Canvas Project Art Racing Helmet - The Creative Drive
Visit brettkingdesign.com for limited exclusive Brett King Design Canvas Project 01 MERCH
In this episode of The Creative Drive with Taro Koki, renowed helmet designer Brett King from Brett King Design reveals the inspiration, process, and philosophy behind the Canvas Project — a groundbreaking approach to helmet art where, for the first time, there's no input from a client. Just pure artistic vision.
The Canvas Project 001 is not a commission. It's an art project done on a helmet as the canvas.
We dig into the design, the business, the challenges of working with clients, and how collaborations in motorsport gear are evolving — with appearances from Preston Folkestad of Simpson Performance Products.
0:00 Intro
3:30 What is the Canvas Project by Brett King Design?
5:45 RACER+ and RACER Magazine Ad: Racer.com/bundle
8:00 Breaking boundaries in helmet design
12:37 Inspiration behind the Canvas Project 001
15:50 The revealing of the Canvas Project 001 helmet by Brett King Design
17:08 Process of creating the Canvas Project 001 helmet
24:20 Starting as creative director at Felt Bicycles
27:20 Challenges of the business
30:15 How to handle mpossible clients
32:15 How long did it take to complete the Canvas Project 001
38:02 The new Stilo ST6 helmet
41:07 Canvas Project 01 limited edition merch launch
42:45 Rapid Fire with Brett King
47:07 Who's Boostin' it with Brett King
55:54 Preston Folkestad from Simpson Performance Products
59:15 Working with Stilo, RaceQuip, Hans, Simpson brands at Holley
01:04:30 Stilo Italian high end helmet brand with roots in rally racing
01:07:00 How the collab with Brett King happen?
01:13:30 How do Holley brands think about collaborations?
01:19:50 Who's Boostin' it with Preston Folkestad from Simpson
01:25:20 What's Preston Folkestad's creative drive?
1 hr 28 min
July 29, 2025 How Kill Bambi Built Her R8 and the Brand Behind the Wheel
Note: We experienced some technical difficulties with the audio in this episode. While it may not meet our usual quality standards, we didn’t want to let that stop us from sharing this great conversation. Thanks for your patience—and we appreciate you sticking with us!
Kill.Bambi: The Car Girl DJ Taking Over Twitch & the Streets
On this episode of Creative Drive, we sit down with the multi-talented Amber Bernstein, better known as Kill.Bambi—a true force in the worlds of car culture, music, and gaming.
From her modified Audi R8 to streaming to thousands on Twitch, Kill.Bambi has crafted a bold personal brand that’s turning heads and inspiring a new wave of creators.
0:00 Intro
02:50 How Kill Bambi got into cars
04:20 The story behind her Audi R8
How car culture and gaming overlap in her life
What fuels her creativity as a DJ and content creator
Her approach to audience growth, platform strategy & staying authentic
Advice for creators trying to break into cars, gaming, or both
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A rapid-fire round of car vs. culture questions
“Who’s Boosting It” — her pick for an underrated creator or brand worth watching
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into the people driving car culture forward.
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🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
#KillBambi #AudiR8 #CreativeDrive #CarCulture #TwitchStreamer #DJLife #WomenInMotorsports #GamingAndCars #CarGirl #AutomotivePodcast
51 min
July 15, 2025 Subaru Launch Control Docu-series Producer Chris Bowes - The Creative Drive
In this episode, The Creative Drive dives into the world of Christopher Bowes, the visionary behind Subaru's Launch Control, the long lasting YouTube series that reshaped how fans experience factory-backed motorsports. From his early inspiration to founding Bowes Media Inc., Chris shares how he blends storytelling craft with emotional authenticity — creating work that goes beyond cars and competition.
We explore the evolution of Launch Control, from its original pitch to its current home on the RACER Network, and how Chris navigates the high-stakes balance between access, vulnerability, and compelling narrative. He opens up about the creative battles he’s fought, the pressures of working under tight deadlines, and the moments that nearly broke him — but made the story worth telling.
This is an episode about vision, integrity, and building legacy through motorsports storytelling.
0:00 Cold Opening to Chris Bowes Launch Control Producer Interview on The Creative Drive
01:52 Christopher Bowes from Bowes Media on The Creative Drive Podcast
06:14 RACER Network Promo Clip Visit RACER.com to subscribe
07:13 How Launch Control with Subaru started
13:00 Drive to Survive is successful because the non-motorsport fan can get behind the show
14:00 Rally is the hardest motorsports to film and produce
22:25 Subaru gives Chris absolute creative freedom to produce Launch Control
26:50 Biggest challenge of continuing a show for more than a decade
31:30 Launch Control on RACER Network and the impact of the internet
34:35 Bowes Media has expanded as a business working for brands like Red Bull
37:25 Brands and qualitative storytelling
39:00 Subaru and their brand heritage
45:30 Launch Control is created by a small and nimble team
48:00 How to start out as a creative on a rally documentary team
50:50 Subaru's racing cultural project coming up in the future
54:00 Rapid Fire with Chris Bowes
01:00:00 Who's Boost'n it with Chris Bowes
01:06:07 What's Chris Bowes' creative drive?
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#TheCreativeDrive #bowesmedia #rally #CarCulture #launchcontrol #subaru #subarurally #ContentCreators #Motorsports #RACERPodcast #rallycars #rallyracing
1 hr 10 min
July 01, 2025 Desert Racing 101: Why It’s Way Harder Than You Think - Ryan Millen
In this episode of The Creative Drive, we’re joined by Ryan Millen — off road racer and member of one of America and New Zealand's most iconic racing families. Son of Rod Millen and brother to Rhys Millen, Ryan has forged his own path from formula cars to rally stages, winning in the American Rally Association, working with brands like Toyota along the way and now desert racing in trophy trucks.
We get into Ryan’s unique journey, the pressures and perks of a legendary last name, and how he blends performance with personality in the age of motorsports storytelling. From his take on off-road racing to content strategy for modern drivers, this conversation is packed with insight, humor, and a look into what keeps Ryan creatively driven.
Watch or listen now.
0:00 Cold opening
1:00 Host Taro Koki Introduces Ryan Millen
01:45 What the last name Millen means
03:33 Sponsor message
04:27 How Ryan Millen started rally racing
08:00 What's so difficult about desert racing?
12:00 Growing up on Pikes Peak
14:30 Toyota rally sponsorship and Two Roads to Baja
17:10 Racing Porsches in Siberia
18:15 Rally racing Toyota RAV4
25:00 What it was like having a girlfriend as a co-driver
28:33 Creating content and being a racecar driver
30:15 Father Rod Millen lived in the golden era of rally
31:45 Racing with Terrible Herbst spec trophy trucks
37:30 Almost getting run over at Baja 500
39:45 Innovation in desert racing actve dampers and 4 wheel drive
44:40 Difference between Dakar and Baja racing
47:40 Off road racing promotion landscape
52:45 Rapid Fire with Ryan Millen
57:10 Ryan Millen thinks Who's Boost'n It
01:01:20 Ryan Millen's Creative Drive
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#TheCreativeDrive #ryanmillen #rally #CarCulture #desertracing #baja1000 #rodmillen #ContentCreators #Motorsports #toyota #RACERPodcast #trophytrucks #offroadracing #CarBuilders
1 hr 4 min
June 17, 2025 1,000HP Minivans and EV Porsche Moby X: Bisi Ezerioha
Host Taro Koki interviews one of the most fearless innovators in car culture: Bisi Ezerioha of Bisimoto Engineering. You might know him for his viral 1,000-horsepower minivan, electric Porsche 935 builds, or wild collaborations with brands like Hyundai, Honda, and Porsche — but there’s way more to his story.
In this episode, Bisi shares how he went from pharmaceutical scientist to full-time tuner and performance visionary. We dive into his engineering mindset, why content is critical for modern builders, and how electrification is transforming the tuning world.
This episode of The Creative Drive is sponsored by Honda, click to learn more: https://bit.ly/4e82HdD
0:00 Intro
02:10 Who is Bisi Ezerioha?
04:54 Sponsor message
05:53 Bisi went to college for chemical engineering at 15 years old
07:20 Moving to the US and being exposed to street racing
11:05 Early days of import drag racing in Honda Civics
17:00 From home garage to RS Machine
19:00 Nopi thought Bisi as cheating and making his own fuel with scent
24:35 Bisimoto's concept of Reliability vs Power
27:30 Working as a pharmaceutical rep and the genesis of Bisimoto
34:00 Building first Honda CR-Z SEMA Project Car
37:00 Porsche Cayman R center seat
44:39 Bisi on becoming an EV believer
01:00:00 2025 SEMA Build
01:01:35 Porsche K3 EV Inspired by Group 5 Team Gozzy 935
01:04:10 Creating content for Tech Tuesday lead to being on Myth Busters
01:05:50 Where is Bisimoto going?
01:09:00 The Creative Drive Rapid Fire
01:12:20 Who's Boostin' It?
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#racer #podcast #thecreativedrive #tarokoki #bisiezerioha #bisimoto #evtuning #carculture #electricporsche #jdm #engineering #contentcreators #motorsports #hyundai #honda #customcars #carbuilders
1 hr 18 min
June 03, 2025 Larry Chen on Ken Block, Formula D, BMW E30 Racecar and New Book
In this episode of The Creative Drive, host Taro Koki sits down with the one and only Larry Chen. Larry is one of the most iconic and influential automotive photographers and content creators in the world today. Known for his unmistakable style, relentless work ethic, and deep love for car culture, Larry has become the go-to visual storyteller for some of the biggest names in motorsports and the aftermarket world.
Starting from humble beginnings shooting cars on the streets of Los Angeles, Larry turned his passion into a career by mastering the craft of automotive photography — capturing not just cars, but the spirit behind them. His work spans every corner of the car world: from grassroots drift events to the global stage of Formula Drift, from SEMA builds to Pikes Peak, from classic JDM icons to electric hypercars.
He is the official photographer for Formula Drift, a Canon Explorer of Light (one of the most prestigious honors in the photography world), and a creative force behind brands and countless OEM and aftermarket brands.
If you’ve seen a jaw-dropping rolling shot, an epic drift angle frozen in time, or a SEMA build immortalized before it hit the floor — chances are, Larry Chen was behind the lens.

This episode of The Creative Drive is sponsored by Honda, click to learn more: https://bit.ly/4dSgEMK

0:00 Intro
01:12 Taro Koki intro to Larry Chen on the Creative Drive
02:15 Larry Chen on Air Water Luftgekuhlt and Jeff Zwart
05:02 Sponsor message
06:45 Larry Chen on how to shoot Air Water Luftgekuhlt
08:11 Larry Chen on being inducted to the Formula Drift Hall of Fame
14:45 Larry Chen wishes Jeff Zwart was his dad
16:35 Larry Chen on his new book Life At Shutter Speed by Carrara Media carrarabooks.com
22:35 Larry Chen on being in front of the camera and 1M followers on Instagram
25:30 Larry Chen on Asian representation
30:00 BMW E3 M3 7 Eleven race car
31:15 Larry Chen on Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
28:10 Larry Chen on Ken Block
42:30 Getting stopped by cops during a shoot
48:50 Larry Chen on video projects like Hagerty's
51:10 Larry Chen on legacy automotive media and
54:59 Formula 1 Drive to Survive spawning racecar drivers and car enthusiasts
58:00 Driving at Ebisu Circuit Spring Matsuri
01:00:00 Larry Chen on running a media business
01:01:45 Larry Chen on working with brands
01:06:00 Creative Drive Rapid Fire with Larry Chen
01:11:17 Who's Boosting It? with Larry Chen
01:15:00 Larry Chen's Creative Drive is Life Fulfillment
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🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen.
1 hr 17 min
May 20, 2025 GReddy's Kenji Sumino on how bankruptcy nearly ended it all and the resurgence
In this episode of Creative Drive, we sit down with Kenji Sumino from GReddy Performance Inc., the U.S. division of Japan's Trust Company Ltd., based in Irvine, California. Under his leadership, GReddy has become a prominent name in the automotive aftermarket industry, specializing in performance parts for Japanese vehicles, including turbochargers, exhaust systems, and electronics.
Sumino has played a pivotal role in adapting GReddy's offerings to the U.S. market, focusing on developing products tailored for left-hand-drive vehicles and popular American models. His efforts have helped GReddy navigate challenges such as the 2008 financial crisis and evolving emissions regulations, ensuring the company's resilience and continued relevance in the tuning community.
Sumino is deeply involved in car culture. He has collaborated with notable figures like Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift actor, Sung Kang on his famous Fugu Z(Nissan 240Z), Dai Yoshihara on projects such as an 800-horsepower R33 Nissan Skyline GT-R. Additionally, his meticulously built 1990 Honda Civic hatchback, known for its attention to detail and performance, was even immortalized as a Hot Wheels collectible.
Sumino's commitment to the automotive world extends to preserving and promoting tuner culture, ensuring that the passion for performance and customization continues to thrive in the modern era.
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🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you listen.
#GReddy #CreativeDrive #CarCulture #RACER #JDM #tuning #fuguz
1 hr 18 min

About The Creative Drive

From the publisher's feed

The Creative Drive is a podcast hosted by Racer’s Creator Network President Taro Koki, dedicated to exploring the world of creativity within the automotive industry. Each episode features…