The Creative Drive

Racer Media and Marketing, Inc.
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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 conversations with a diverse range of creatives, including YouTubers, directors, authors, designers, builders, and photographers, as well as industry journalists and creator economy experts. Together, we delve into what drives these creators, how they got started, their creative process, their inspirations, and their insights on building an audience in today’s digital landscape. From stories of success to overcoming setbacks, The Creative Drive offers listeners a candid look into the minds of automotive creators and their journeys.

  1. 24 MAR ·  VIDEO

    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 different Why they don’t care about being the fastest The reality of building cars at extreme quality How Singer went from 5 cars… to years-long waitlists The 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/singervehicledesign Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQ Follow 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

    1hr 9min
  2. SPOON Founder Tatsuru Ichishima - Global JDM Icon

    10 MAR ·  VIDEO

    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.HQ Follow 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

    41 min
  3. Love for JDM Skylines and Round Cat Garage - Mickey Andrade

    24 FEB ·  VIDEO

    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.HQ Follow 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

    1hr 18min
  4. Early Days of The Smoking Tire, Favorite Cars and Racing - Zack Klapman

    17 FEB ·  VIDEO

    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 cars How Tom Segura helped triple their revenue Interviewing Steve Dinan, Gale Banks and Jerry Seinfeld Wild experiences with Hagerty Rated, riding shotgun with FD champion Dai Yoshihara The 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 chaos Matt and Zack are going racing with Cleetus McFarland in the Freedom 500 Insights 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.HQ Follow 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

    1hr 11min
  5. Car Culture, Street Drifting, and Believing Anyway - Luke Huxham in Japan

    27 JAN ·  VIDEO

    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.HQ Follow 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

    54 min
  6. Charlotte Traynor on Her MX-5 Cup Scholarship Win and Prototype Dream

    25/12/2025 ·  VIDEO

    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

    36 min

  7. 22/12/2025 ·  VIDEO

    Shea Holbrook on Racing, Reality TV & The Next Generation of Drivers

    Join us on Creative Drive as we sit down with Shea Holbrook, owner of BSI Racing and star of the Amazon series First to the Finish. Shea opens up about the raw, behind-the-scenes reality of professional motorsports, the challenges and rewards of being a female team owner, and the journey of creating a team that develops the next generation of talent. From her surprise call to Daytona to candid moments in the MX-5 Cup paddock, Shea shares how grit, authenticity, and perseverance have shaped her career—and how those same principles guide her mentorship of young drivers. In this episode, you’ll learn: - How Shea got involved in the Amazon series and the real story behind the cameras - The importance of authenticity in racing and in life - What it takes to succeed as a female team owner - Insights into driver development and the MX-5 Cup racing scene - The personal philosophy that drives Shea’s creation of BSI Racing To learn more about Mazda: https://bit.ly/49b0DQ3 - Follow BSI Racing: https://www.instagram.com/bsi_racing/ - Follow Shea Holbrook: https://www.instagram.com/sheaholbrook/ #racer #podcast #creativedrive #mazda #mx5cup #motorsport #autoracing #sheaholbrook #tarokoki

    34 min
  8. Drifting, Movie Stunts & Life on the Edge: Zee Kennedy

    09/12/2025 ·  VIDEO

    Drifting, Movie Stunts & Life on the Edge: Zee Kennedy

    Stuntwoman. Drifter. Formula DRIFT Prospe competitor. Content creator. Zandara Zee Kennedy has done it all—and she’s just getting started. From jumping off buildings in blockbuster movies like Deadpool and X-Men to mastering precision drifting on tracks across North America, Zee shares her journey of taking risks, chasing her passion, and building a career in stunts and motorsports. In this episode of Creative Drive, we dive into: How Zandara turned stunt work into a career in drifting The realities of racing, car builds, and self-funded adventures Lessons learned from Formula DRIFT and working in the film industry Her passion project combining travel, cars, and culture Tips for women breaking into motorsports and stunts If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to live life on the edge—on set or behind the wheel—this is your front-row seat. Follow  Zee Kennedy: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeedrives/ https://offers.racer.com/subscribe for RACER+ and magazine offer! Follow RACER on YT: https://www.youtube.com/@Racer.HQ Follow 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. #Zeedrive #RACER #stuntwomen #formuladrift #drifting #CreativeDrivePodcast  #CarCulture

    1hr 12min
See All (45)

About

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 conversations with a diverse range of creatives, including YouTubers, directors, authors, designers, builders, and photographers, as well as industry journalists and creator economy experts. Together, we delve into what drives these creators, how they got started, their creative process, their inspirations, and their insights on building an audience in today’s digital landscape. From stories of success to overcoming setbacks, The Creative Drive offers listeners a candid look into the minds of automotive creators and their journeys.

Information

  • Creator
    Racer Media and Marketing, Inc.
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Creative Drive

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