Tuner Maneuver:Rj, Hows it going?

RJ:I’m doing well. I’m already off and running for 2009 working on a ton of different projects, while already traveling, and also trying to evolve myself personally and professionally.
Can you give the readers a little background info on who you are and how you have been involved with car scene?

Well how much time do you have? This may turn out into a book. LOL. Let me give you the description usually given to the press first and then I’ll add to it.

“I work in the conceptualization, development, and marketing of various products, events, and entertainment projects that involve automotive culture. I give insight to the social culture of the sport compact and tuner performance scene and work with companies to understand the world and passion of tuning and racing cars! While also being a spokesperson and automotive stylist for companies like Pepsi Co., Boost Mobile, AXE body spray, Vavloline lubricants, Optima Batteries, BF Goodrich Tires, and Mishimoto I spend much time on the road attending car show events, racing competitions, and trade shows promoting my partners/clients and creating goodwill for the tuner community. My love for cars coupled with my creativity have led me to such accomplishments as developing my namesake upscale brand of RO_JA wheels, a signature shoe, a die-cast toy line, and assisting with the development of racing games both for the Playstation and the XBOX. I have also worked on developing fashion-forward clothing and merchandise line for Honda dealerships and enthusiasts under the Grease Monkey banner. In the past 15 years I have worked on more than 20 high profile cars. These cars included styling projects (for Pepsi, BF Goodrich, Valvoline, and Boost Mobile) that were given away to lucky winners. I continue to use my own firm, Image Makers, LLC, as his creative outlet, playing the role of product, brand, lifestyle, and marketing consultant.

Other achievements include writing for a variety of car magazines, a role as a consultant while also being a character (Danny Yamato) in the movie “The Fast and The Furious”, my own documentary-type show on MTV2 called “Life in the Fast Lane”, and the very prestigious Meguiar’s “Automotive Industry Treasure Award”. I also hosted and judged the MTV car competition reality show “Trick It Out” for two seasons. My work and projects have been featured in countless magazines, websites, and television programs stateside and around the globe.”

Here is a breakdown on how I fell into all of that. I fell in love with cars before I even had one at the age of 14. I started collecting aftermarket parts for a car I didn’t have when I was 15. My first car was fully modified within a year of me getting it at 16. I was the very first person to send in my entry form for the very first Import Car Show called Import Showoff in 1996 when I was 17, which is when I also started selling parts out of my moms house. I had a retail shop by the time I was 19 but then moved on to be an editor (for Super Street Magazine) and event manager (for NIRA) by the time I was 20. By then I had amassed quite a few awards with my personal car and the team (Kosoku Racing) I had at the time. I began consulting at 23 working on product development and entertainment projects while also becoming a spokesperson and automotive stylist for major corporations. From then on my life has been a blur as I’ve been grinding away working continuously from one project to the next. It’s been a very full and interesting life to say the least.

Tuner Maneuver:What new projects are you working on currently for 2009? When should we see some of them?

RJ:The biggest project that I have for 2009 is called MotorworldHype.com. I started the blog type/e-zine site in 08 but it’s a constant work in progress

MotorworldHype.com is an automotive blog created by myself and automotive editor Andrew Beckford to showcase all things cool and new in the modern automotive community. It is designed to be the discriminating online source for news on the latest QUALITY CAR GOODS. MWH only features high quality products for a variety of luxury, exotic, and sports oriented vehicles. From modern muscle cars to high-end luxury mobiles to high performance imports – MWH covers all of that and everything cool in-between. MotorworldHype.com is automotive fashion forward, performance oriented, and opinion driven.

I created this site because I wanted to create a place where car nuts could find out about cool automotive accessories. As a sneaker head I’m always on fashion blogs looking for the newest kicks and I realized there was nothing like that for car fanatics hence MotorworldHype. We know there are a quite a few online automotive mags and blogs but none that focused on just products and that’s what we really strive to do at MWH. It’s a product driven site though we also talk about things that me and Andrew are into like F1 and Drifting but the focus is product no matter how small or big. It could be a new titanium lugnut, or a new color wheel, or a full aero package, or a complete turbo set up, or just a redesigned blowoff, or a special edition car, or just some automotive themed fashion and merchandise – we cover it all.

We launched the site last November and commemorated it by styling a Lexus ISF. The car and site were debuted at 2008 SEMA show. The car should also be touring the US in 09 with NOS Energy Drinks. We built the car using the same type of products we would feature on our site. We used quality products that would be available to any enthusiasts.

Of course I’ve already got another automotive styling project in the works in the form of an R35 GTR. I’m hoping that will be done by mid year and I’m redoing my Brabus CLS for a client to use so keep an eye out for that as well.

Tuner Maneuver:So what direction do you see the car scene is heading for 2009?

RJ:With the economy in such a crunch globally I think the car scene will stay as it is. I believe people will still be into personalizing their cars but that it will take longer than before to get the modifications that an owner wants because cash is tight. I think more people will really look at the products they are buying making sure it’s what they want and that it’s a good buy. I do see some companies shutting down because they don’t make quality stuff or because they haven’t been truly innovative. Those who can better produce products that are both well made and of good value and deliver on performance claims will be the future leaders of our industry. I believe that drifting will continue to grow especially from the spectator side as it is such an exciting motorsport to see first hand. I also think that car show competitions will continue to be the status quo for car heads getting together to celebrate car life and culture.

Tuner Maneuver:What are you personally driving now days?

RJ:I have two street cars. One is an oldie but goodie – a ’91 Comptech Supercharged NSX but what I drive daily is my ’07 Brabus CLS (based on Mercedes CLS 550). I love both of these cars! But I also have a turbocharged Time Attack RSX supported by Mishimoto, BF Goodrich, MotorworldHype, and TRS.

Tuner Maneuver:How did the tuner market get started for you?

RJ: I just loved cars from a very early age and knew that I had to have my life in it.

Tuner Maneuver:What can we expect to see for R0_JA in 2009? How is DVR coming?

RJ:RO_JA is in a transition. The old company that I used to work with on this wheel line was bought out and merged so I decided to pull my brand out and do something new with it. I want to go higher end with it so I’m starting a small line of 2 and 3 piece wheels that target luxury cars and high-end sports cars. The new refreshed RO-JA line should debut this year.

I haven’t done much with DVR at the moment. That’s the brand that I want to use to do complete car concepts and the opportunities have been far and few for that so I’m saving that idea for latter.

Tuner Maneuver:What sports do you think will have the biggest impact on 2009 will it be the drift market, roadracing, or the VIP trend?

RJ:As I mentioned above, I believe that drifting has the biggest potential for the masses. It’s exciting and it’s very international. Just look at the Red Bull World Championship event. 32 drivers from around the globe competing in all types of cars to be the ultimate champion. It doesn’t get more exciting than that. I myself love Time Attack/Super Lap battle but that’s more of a magazine thing.
Like I mentioned above I have a time attacker in the form of a turbocharged Acura RSX. Not the greatest platform for Unlimited FF but with support from our sponsors Mishimoto, BF Goodrich, MotorworldHype, and TRS along with a great driver (Andy Hope) we were able to set the fastest RSX time at the 2008 Super Lap Battle in Buttonwillow, CA. The VIP trend is strictly for hardcore car buffs. Although I do love both Time Attack and VIP style I believe Drifting will have the biggest impact in 2009 and in the near future.

Tuner Maneuver:What is your take on Bozoku style and vanning of Japan? Do you think it will be a large hit in the US market?

RJ:Bozoku style and vanning along with K Cars and step wagons have been a trend in Japan forever. I remember going to my first Tokyo Auto Salon in 1997 and seeing it then. I don’t think it will ever be a huge hit here in the US. Though you see a bit more of it around it’s definitely more of a niche thing for people who want to be different.

Tuner Maneuver:RJ, Thank you for time in doing this interivew, will we see you at events this yr? Is there anything else you want to let the readers know?
RJ:No problem. As you can tell, I’m a talker and I love talking about cars and car culture. I’m sure I’ll be attending events this year. I just don’t know which ones at the moment. It all depends on my clients. I’m sure to attend everything in LA (Formula D, HIN, Super Lap Battle, etc…) but outside of that I don’t know.

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has ever supported anything that I have done. Let us all continue to push our culture forward and continue to share and spread our love of cars and all things that go zoom.

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