Look, Mom — we made it into Autosport magazine! 🥹🏁


We just landed in Autosport’s 75th anniversary issue!!!!

Hey friends,

I’m buzzing about this one.

If you’re new here, hi! I’m Andy, founder of Red Racer Books. I started this tiny publishing business in 2022 with zero publishing experience, just a racing-obsessed dad who couldn’t find the books I wanted for my kids. So I made one myself, launched it on Kickstarter, and just kept going.

Fast-forward to today: Kat’s Magic Helmet was featured in Autosport’s 75th-anniversary issue, an absolute honor for a small business like Red Racer Books.

Why this is wild:
Autosport is the premier UK motorsport magazine, covering F1, IndyCar, Le Mans, rally, and more, continuously since 1950. It’s where generations of fans, engineers, and journalists go for serious racing coverage. Seeing a children’s picture book in those pages tells me we’re doing something right.

The piece is print-only, so here’s the text they ran (also shown in the image):

“Currently competing in a partial NASCAR schedule, Katherine Legge has spent many years showing how women can race on equal terms with men while other people just talk about it. This vibrantly illustrated children’s book — boldly pink, like her e.l.f. Cosmetics–sponsored Cup machine — aims to inspire an even younger generation to enter competition.
Co-authored by Andy Amendola and illustrated by Ashleigh Mower, Kat’s Magic Helmet introduces readers to nine-year-old Kat, determined to race but initially lacking confidence until her father gifts her the titular magic helmet. Spoilers: the magic isn’t in the safety equipment, it’s already within her.
This is an empowering story aimed at children from three to eight years old, and suitable for a family or educational environment.”

About the book (super quick):
Kat’s Magic Helmet is a read-aloud about confidence and courage for ages 3–8, especially inspiring for girls. It’s written by Katherine Legge, a trailblazing driver whose grit and perseverance have broken barriers across multiple series.

Want to check it out?
It’s currently on sale on Amazon (Prime Day timing = great moment to add to cart), and you can always find it at redracerbooks.com.

Thank you for cheering us on. We truly couldn’t do any of this without you. 🙏

— Andy

Small Independent Publisher Dedicated to Children's Motorsports Books

Red Racer Books

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