Ondar Tarlow: Steering Fast Lane Drive OC into Its Next Chapter
By Alexander Cartigan – Chief Editor
In the world of high performance, whether measured in revolutions per minute or beats per second, few people embody balance quite like Ondar Tarlow. A marketing consultant by profession, co-owner of Fast Lane Drive Orange County, and a true enthusiast of both cars and watches, Ondar moves through life guided by the same principles that define a great machine: precision, intent, and soul.
Origins of an Obsession
Ondar’s story begins in Los Angeles, where his love for design and motion was shaped by family and film. His parents were car lovers in their own right. His father finally acquired his dream Corvette, and his mother happily drove a manual Mazda RX-7. “It wasn’t about money or luxury,” Ondar recalls. “It was about how the car made you feel, alive and connected.”
But the spark truly ignited the first time he saw Goldfinger. Watching Sean Connery glide through the screen in a silver Aston Martin DB5 and a stainless-steel Rolex Submariner, Ondar understood, even as a child, that form and function could coexist in perfect harmony. “It showed me how craftsmanship, performance, and design could tell a story without saying a word.”
That story would go on to define his life.
From the Boardroom to the Backroads
As a marketing leader, Ondar has spent his career working directly with teams like the LA Chargers, Anaheim Ducks, LA Galaxy, Pac 12 and others through brand partnerships tied to the companies he led marketing for. He helped build and activate campaigns that connected both sides and elevated each brand in the process. That same attention to detail shows up in his passion for cars. His past garage tells its own Porsche story with a 1973 914 2.0, a 1989 Speedster, a 2003 996 Carrera, a 2001 Boxster S, and a 2009 997.2 Turbo Cabriolet, all manuals, followed by his current 991.1 GT3 RS in Lava Orange which came only in PDK for track performance.
Each car marks a moment in his life. “I think of my collection as a time collection,” he says. “It’s not about how much you own, but how much meaning you build along the way.”
The GT3 RS, he adds, “is chaos and control in one machine. It’s raw, visceral, and beautifully pure.” From its carbon buckets to the wail of its naturally aspirated flat-six, it’s a car that demands focus and rewards courage. “When the revs climb past 7,000,” he says with a smile, “the sea parts and the path ahead becomes crystal clear.”
Driving Community Forward
That clarity led him to Fast Lane Drive, the largest exclusive members club redefining community in modern car culture. Ondar was a founding member of the Orange County chapter and helped shape its early identity. What began as a membership evolved into ownership with partners Francis Meram and Sam Nordean.
Working with them showed him quickly who steps up when it counts. Their partnership is a mix of practicality, expertise and performance. As Ondar puts it, “Francis is a proven entrepreneur with great instinct, and Sam is a sharp and respected Orange County attorney who brings a steady, clear minded approach. I could not ask for better partners.”
“It started with the vibe,” he says. “Fast Lane Drive is that rare mix of adrenaline and authenticity. One moment you’re carving through canyons, the next you’re sharing an insightful lunch conversation with people who love what you love.”
His approach to leadership reflects his philosophy on collecting by protecting the culture above all else. “The right people make all the difference. Cars may bring us together, but it’s the friendships, the energy, and the shared moments with an amazing group of people that give the club its heartbeat.”
It’s here that his marketing background shows its value. Years of leading marketing for companies that partnered with the LA Chargers, Anaheim Ducks, LA Galaxy and Honda Center taught him how precision, culture and authenticity drive real connection. “At Fast Lane Drive, I apply those same principles,” he explains. “We move fast but think intentionally, protect the brand’s integrity, and focus on creating experiences that stay with people long after the drive. It is where disciplined marketing meets the emotion of car culture, and that balance keeps our community strong and growing”
Memories from the road tell the story best. From the multi-chapter San Diego holiday rally, where the early morning light danced across a convoy of 100 cars, to the Las Vegas 7th Anniversary event, where he piloted a McLaren 750S down the Strip under police escort as thousands watched, each moment captures what Ondar calls “the thrill of motion and the beauty of connection.”
Watches, Time, and the Art of Craftsmanship
As his automotive passion matured, so did his love for fine watches. “Cars came first,” he explains. “Watches followed naturally. Both are built on engineering, design, and soul.” His collection leans toward purpose and precision: the Panerai Luminor GMT, a personal favorite for its balance and military heritage, and the Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller, his pick for life. “It’s bold and engineered for extremes,” he says. “It feels substantial and ready for anything, much like the Porsche 911 Turbo S.” Asked what’s next, he doesn’t hesitate. “Another Panerai, the Navy SEALs edition. It’s purposeful, rugged, and designed for those who live with intent.”
Philanthropy, Family, and Legacy
Beyond cars and watches, Ondar’s sense of purpose finds expression through Junior Achievement of Orange County & Inland Empire, where he serves on the Board of Directors. It’s a full-circle moment since the same organization once inspired him as a student.
“Junior Achievement changed my life,” he reflects. “It taught me how business works and that success comes from effort and curiosity. Giving back just feels natural.”
It was Ondar who first introduced Worn & Driven to Junior Achievement, creating a bridge between craftsmanship and mentorship. “When I saw what Worn & Driven represented, it just made sense. Both are about purpose, one inspires through storytelling, the other empowers through education.”
That same sense of purpose extends to his home life. “My wife Andrea loves her Porsche SUV and is completely taken by the Lamborghini Urus,” he says proudly. “My daughter, who’s fourteen, isn’t driving yet but she’s already excited to start. She’s drawn to Porsches and Lamborghinis and loves the energy around them. Seeing her excitement reminds me of where my own love for cars began. What started as an obsession has become something we enjoy together as a family.
Fatherhood, he adds, has transformed the way he experiences both cars and timepieces. “They’re no longer just about performance or design,” he says. “They’ve become reminders of time, effort, and the experiences that shape who we are. Legacy, to me, isn’t about possessions, it’s about values and memories that endure.”
When asked how he wants to be remembered, Ondar pauses for a moment, then answers with the same conviction that guides every turn of his life:
“As someone who gave more than he took. Someone who shared his passions, helped others find theirs, and built something real along the way. A man who took risks, pushed life’s limits, stayed true, loved his family, experienced the world head on, and always stood tall.”
Looking Ahead: The Road Beyond
As Ondar steps into his new role as co-owner of Fast Lane Drive Orange County, his focus is clear: evolve the culture without losing its soul. For him, the next chapter isn’t just about growth, it’s about deepening the sense of purpose that drives the brand.
“Growth only matters if it brings people closer,” he explains. “Fast Lane Drive has always been about connection, authenticity, and shared experience. That’s what keeps the drive real.”
Together, Ondar Tarlow, Sam Nordean, and Francis Meram are steering the Fast Lane Drive Orange County chapter toward a future built on purposeful expansion and meaningful impact. Through philanthropic partnerships that give back to local communities and curated experiences that blend adrenaline with artistry, their shared vision is to create something lasting, a movement that inspires. He envisions Fast Lane Drive as more than a car club, a network of leaders, and visionaries who believe that success is best celebrated in motion.
“The next era of Fast Lane Drive isn’t about speed,” Ondar says with a grin. “It’s about direction, and making sure we’re all driving toward something that matters.”
Closing Reflections
When asked which car and watch he would choose to live with for the rest of his life, Ondar doesn’t hesitate. “It would have to be the Porsche 911 Turbo S,” he says. “I love my GT3 RS, but the Turbo S has the power, the comfort and the range to evolve with me over time, and it is the one I can see myself driving into my nineties if I last that long. It may be the best all-around car ever built. Speed, design, comfort, technology, and handling all working together with spirit and purpose. It is a car that feels alive, effortless, and endlessly capable.”
As for his timepiece of choice, he looks to a familiar companion. “My Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller,” he says. “It’s bold and engineered for extremes, yet quietly sophisticated. It feels substantial, purposeful, and ready for anything. Much like the Turbo S, it represents strength, precision, and timeless design that never loses its edge.”
It is that same spirit of balance, strength, and precision that defines the way Ondar approaches life. His journey, both behind the wheel and beyond it, is a study in curiosity and perseverance.
When asked what advice he would leave for the next generation of entrepreneurs, his words are simple yet powerful.
“First, trust your curiosity. It will take you places logic alone never will. Second, be willing to get uncomfortable. Growth lives in the moments that test you, not the ones that come easy. Third, protect your name and your word. In the end, that’s what people remember long after the noise fades.”
For Ondar Tarlow, every car, every watch, and every connection reflects the same philosophy: that passion, purpose, and integrity will always stand the test of time.
Connect with Ondar Tarlow: on Instagram; LinkedIn
Photographer: Brandon Ilic