April 10th 2026

RACER Creator Summit unveils speaker lineup for Long Beach Grand Prix Week

The RACER Creator Summit, a new industry event exploring how the creator economy is reshaping motorsports and automotive culture, has confirmed its program and speakers ahead of its debut April 16 at the Edison Theater in downtown Long Beach.

Held during Long Beach Grand Prix week, the half-day summit will bring together creators, racing leaders, brand executives and media innovators for conversations about the future of automotive storytelling, audience growth and the evolving creator-driven media landscape.

“The creator economy is transforming how automotive and motorsports stories are discovered, shared and monetized,” said Taro Koki, president of the RACER Creator Network. “This summit brings together the creators, brands and industry leaders who are shaping that shift in real time. Our goal is to move beyond theory and give the community practical insight into what works today — and where the industry is heading next.”

The program will feature leadership from F=ma, the parent company of RACER, GRIDLIFE and The ID Agency, including CEO James Schiefer, Chief Commercial Officer Greg Jacobs, and Victor Carrillo, president of The ID Agency.

They will be joined by a diverse group of creators and industry leaders including globally recognized automotive photographer Larry Chen, Honda Racing Corporation USA senior vice president Jon Ikeda, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach president and Formula Drift co-founder Jim Liaw, three-time Formula Drift champion Chris Forsberg, and Hoonigan co-founder Brian Scotto, among others.

The summit is hosted by automotive marketing leader and Round Cat Garage founder Mickey Andrade, with opening remarks from Koki. Attendance is by invitation only, with limited seating as the inaugural RACER Creator Summit approaches capacity.

Across keynotes, panels and fireside discussions, the program will explore the forces transforming motorsports media — from the rise of creator-led storytelling to the changing economics of sponsorship and fan engagement.

Program Highlights

Welcome and Opening Remarks Mickey Andrade, Round Cat Garage; Taro Koki, President, RACER Creator Network
Fireside Chat: Where Is the Creator Economy Today? Taro Koki with Nii Ahene, Net Influencer
Brand Keynote: Unlocking Innovation and Ingenuity Andrew Mernone, HP Tuners COO
Panel:Creators × Brands × Media: What Actually Works? Stephanie DeAnda, Victor Carrillo, Jeremiah Burton, Robb Holland
Keynote: My Journey as a Creator Larry Chen
Panel: Creators, Content and the Algorithm (Presented by HP Tuners) Erica Sietsma, Chris Forsberg, Nils Granger, Sarah Lassek
Fireside Chat: Documentary Storytelling (IMAX) James Schiefer, Greg Jacobs, Shaun MacGillivray
Panel: Motorsports 2.0 James Coker, Jim Liaw, Jon Ikeda, Maddi Gordon
Fireside Chat: Creator TV – What Comes Next? Brian Scotto, CJ Olivares

Each session will include audience Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly with speakers and continue the conversation throughout the summit.

The RACER Creator Summit runs 1:00–5:00 PM and concludes with a networking reception presented by Phiaro, designed to connect creators, brands and motorsports industry leaders for potential collaborations. Attendance at the inaugural RACER Creator Summit will be by invitation, with a curated audience of creators, media leaders, brands, and motorsport industry partners. Future events may become open to the public. The RACER Creator Summit is supported by Phiaro and HP Tuners.

To find out more or request an invitation, contact: summit@racer.com.

For more information: www.racer.com

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