EK event driver, Corey Rook in his 350z at USAIR
Photo by Bella Wadley
October 2024
We at Elevated Koncepts pride ourselves on the versatility, kindness, and family like community we have worked so hard to build and uphold. As an apparel brand we are growing and venturing into the unknown, taking risks and reaping the rewards. As a drift team we are growing every time our guys hit the track. As a community we continue to evolve and explore new horizons.
From the kick ass media team we have, our amazing drivers’ making names for themselves or the compliments we get as a team from spectators on the environment our events provide. We are blessed to have such a talented and formidable group of people that can say, “We are Elevated Koncepts”.
Elevated Koncepts was founded by Ryan Tarver and in 2014, and it has become its own breathing entity, growing exponentially over the last 11 years. Not only a community within a community for all drifters of every age, skill and background, but he has created a legacy for us all.
This had all started unintentionally as a small car club with the intent to combat the blatant disrespect in other car groups around the area. Not realizing the potential, eK grew rapidly. In 2019 Ryan and two new friends revamped eK into its “drifting era”. As years progressed Ryan has taken eK to another level. Introducing Autocross and slowly incorporating drag racing to help round off the Motorsports LLC that eK acquired back in 2023.
The 2025 goal of Elevated Koncepts is simple and within arm’s reach; become a well-rounded event coordinating division to bring grassroots drivers into a new level of driving. We want to cross the realms between different varieties of motorsports, where there is always room for the novice to be accepted with open arms.
Media Director, Nolan Baker.
A Senior Engineer in the tech industry by day. Nolan originally got into drifting through ShadowRealm, a virtual drift community and (free!) competition host that he helped create and grow to almost 6k~ members. He went to his first eK event back in 2022 and the following April, he got himself a cheap Canon Rebel T6 and went to his first big event at the Indianapolis Speedrome.
“The guy running grid allowed me to go out behind the cement barrier with my camera, and I've been in love with the sport ever since. The feeling of being swallowed by white tire smoke and pelted with rubber was incredible, the sense of speed from the cars, the sounds, everything. Aside from that, Elevated Koncepts has been incredibly welcoming to me, and it feels like I've finally found somewhere I belong. Capturing grassroots drifting is how I learned to use my camera and is how I plan to continue growing my skill.” -Nolan Baker
Merchandise Coordinator, Alex Allen.
Alex is just your average car enthusiast with a niche of getting sideways. He’s been into cars since he could spell the word ‘car’ and has been by Ryan’s side supporting EK since 2022, with a multitude of different responsibilities. From the nitty gritty work with eK, to the track. Between his passion for the community and his overheating BMW, Alex has the eK heart through and through.
“What I love about eK goes beyond the loud cars, goofy people and great vibes. It’s the sense of community. Knowing someone’s always got your back. EK has become family and I am looking forward to our years to come, growing and making memories.”-Alex
Autocross Coordinator, Keean Hostetler.
Keean has been by Ryan’s side since 2014 and with eK since 2016. Having played a multitude of different rolls over the years, (car show judge, stage lead, drift and autocross grid master, event planner) he continues to prove himself a jack of all trades and a major asset to Elevated Koncepts success. Keean got into drifting in 2020, got his first drift car in 2025 and has been hooked on the sport ever since.
“I love the drifting community with eK because it is built on helping and growing everyone’s skill set. Elevated has become a fun and safe place to grow and progress as a person, community, and driver. Ryan has built a community unlike any other in the automotive industry!”-Keean
Social Media Director/Media, Bella Wadley.
This is Bella’s first official year with eK as a team member, though she has been a part of the West Coast drift scene since 2014 with her grassroots track being the Affinity Circuit in White City, OR. Bella first picked up a camera at 15 and has loved it ever since. Specializing in drift media and boudoir photography, she is expanding her horizons to bigger and better things this year by taking on the role of eK’s social media guru and ensuring we are putting out engaging and entertaining content on all platforms.
“I’ve been in the drift scene for quite a few years now, but only recently since joining Elevated do I feel like I am truly a part of something I can grow with. The work I do for eK allows me to do what I love and have creative freedoms I don’t get with normal freelance work. To me drifting is an art form, not just a sport. The control, coordination, style, focus, it’s just beautiful. I am so grateful for the opportunities being presented to me this year through eK and I can’t wait to travel, make new friends and grow my craft. I am so blessed for the relationships and experiences that drifting has brought me throughout the years! But I truly feel like I am living a childhood dream with eK. Here’s to a kick ass 2025 season!”
WE ARE EK
Join us at our next event!