Future of Speed: Changing the Grid

Event Overview
Motorsport has always been the ultimate proving ground for high-consequence technology. But winning championships requires more than just mechanical speed—it demands an elite understanding of the regulatory landscape and the financial infrastructure to back it up.
As Checkmate AI enters the Japanese motorsport ecosystem with a proven global footprint, we invite you to an exclusive evening focused on the modern intersection of technical compliance, driver funding, and industry equity.
We will briefly pull back the curtain on Checkmate AI's core suite of solutions (GREYZONE, GAMBIT, and RevUp Racers) designed to map regulatory loopholes and optimize corporate-to-driver ROI.
Following our brief presentation, we are incredibly honored to shift the spotlight to a true icon of the Japanese paddock—professional racing driver and drift competitor, Nanami Tsukamoto. In a raw, 60-minute fireside chat, Nanami will share her journey navigating male-dominated garages, the hidden hurdles of driver sponsorship, and her mission to level the playing field for the next generation of athletes.
Come for the technology, stay for the strategy, and connect with the minds reshaping the future of the grid.
🏎️ About the Speaker: Nanami Tsukamoto

Nanami Tsukamoto
Professional Racing Driver, Drift Competitor & Founder of JKB
Nanami Tsukamoto is one of the most versatile, high-profile figures in modern motorsport. Famously recognized as Japan’s ultimate "triple-threat" athlete, Nanami has shattered traditional industry molds by actively competing and securing results across three entirely distinct racing disciplines: Circuit Racing, Professional Drifting, and Rallying.
Entering motorsport after being inspired by car culture, she has spent nearly two decades climbing the ranks of major competitive grids. Her circuit endurance credentials include competing in Japan’s premier endurance championship, the Super Taikyu Series, and piloting elite spec-racers in the Porsche Carrera Cup Japan (PCCJ). She has tested her racecraft on open-wheel formula cars in the Super FJ series at Twin Ring Motegi and fought in the highly competitive, factory-backed TOYOTA GAZOO Racing 86/BRZ Race. Driven to expand her international footprint, she has also repeatedly tackled Germany’s legendary and unforgiving Nürburgring Nordschleife, competing in the VLN Endurance Racing Championship.
In the world of professional drifting, Nanami is a formidable force. She has piloted high-horsepower chassis in Formula Drift Japan (FDJ), D1 Lights, the D1 Ladies League, and the Drift Kingdom series—where she notably captured an electrifying podium finish at the iconic Nikko Circuit. Expanding her versatile racing portfolio into off-road stages, she also actively campaigns in the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge and the TRD Rally Cup.
Navigating the steep economic and structural barriers of the paddock inspired her to champion equity in the sport. She is the founder and captain of JKB (Joshi-Kart-bu), Japan’s premier all-female racing kart team, designed to build a grassroots ecosystem that makes racing accessible and empowers women to claim their spot on the grid.
The Versatile Mindset

Beyond her extensive racing resume, Nanami is a true multi-hyphenate. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, and raised in Yamanashi, Japan, her unique international background has helped her cultivate a prominent career as a professional model, actress, and mainstream television personality, appearing on major national networks like Fuji TV, TBS, and TV Tokyo.

A celebrated icon of global car culture, she served as the official real-life promotional ambassador and stage actress for the legendary movie trilogy Initial D (embodying the character Mako Sato) and was integrated as an official playable driver in Bandai Namco’s hit video game Drift Spirits. Acting as a strategic brand ambassador for global giants like Panasonic and Davanti Tyres, Nanami seamlessly bridges the gap between technical automotive execution, corporate network building, and mass media impact.
🏆 Racing Milestones & Series Competed
Circuit Endurance: Super Taikyu Series & Germany's Nürburgring VLN Championship
Spec & Formula Racing: Porsche Carrera Cup Japan & Super FJ Formula Series
Professional Drifting: Formula Drift Japan (FDJ), D1 Lights, & Drift Kingdom
Rally Stages: TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Rally Challenge
Grassroots Infrastructure: Founder/Captain of JKB All-Female Racing Team

⏱️ Event Agenda (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
5:00 PM – 5:05 PM | Opening & Welcoming Remarks (5 mins)A brief introduction to the evening’s theme and Checkmate AI's global entry into Japanese motorsport.
5:05 PM – 5:20 PM | Keynote: Introducing Checkmate AI (15 mins)A rapid-fire look at the 3 pillars driving our platform:GREYZONE & GAMBIT: Our core AI engines built to parse complex rulebooks, uncover strategic grey zones, and provide real-time decision support for race teams.
RevUp Racers: Redefining driver funding by automating clear B2B corporate and political ROI (featuring our successful pilot program in Mexico F4).
5:20 PM – 6:20 PM | The Centerpiece: Fireside Chat with Nanami Tsukamoto (60 mins)Theme: The Art of the Overtake: Navigating Sponsorship and Female EmpowermentA deep dive into Nanami's multi-class racing career (Super Taikyu, FDJ, Nürburgring), her personal struggles securing traditional sponsorship, and her grassroots work building the JKB all-female racing team to bypass institutional glass ceilings. Includes a brief audience Q&A.
6:20 PM – 6:25 PM | Closing Remarks (5 mins)Final thoughts on engineering a more optimized, equitable grid, and setting the stage for the evening's mixer.
6:25 PM – 7:00 PM | Open Networking & Mixer (45 mins)Connect with tech founders, team managers, tier-1 suppliers, and drivers over light food and drinks.