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?
Follow Chris Bowes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bowesmediainc
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/
🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Sub to RACER Magazine and RACER+ app at https://offers.racer.com/bundle
#TheCreativeDrive #bowesmedia #rally #CarCulture #launchcontrol #subaru #subarurally #ContentCreators #Motorsports #RACERPodcast #rallycars #rallyracing
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