So Many Races

And so little time.

At this time of year, racing seasons are winding down or just done. IndyCar's been done for a month, and the United SportsCar Championship wrapped up over the weekend at Petit Le Mans. NASCAR is into its playoff Chase, and Formula 1 ... they still have a few races, but the silly season is in full effect.

(Silly season = when drivers and teams start to swap for the next year/season, even if the current one isn't over yet.)

This is also the time when series start publishing the next year's racing schedule. It's also when a fan's thoughts turn to "what races will I see in person next year?" So yeah, that's what I'm doing.

It's a lot more difficult now that I'm following and planning to write about both sportscar racing and IndyCar racing. It used to be that I could look at the ALMS (then) schedule and select what races I'd attend from the 12 options.

But now there's IndyCar to think about. And now that I've written a couple books, there are more races to possibly attend due to promotional tie-ins. Or to attend just because I love the tracks and the events.

Petit Le Mans is one of those. I skipped it this year, for the first time in three years, and I missed being there. I probably needed a year's break from the cross-country haul, but I tell you, if that race ever ends up on the WEC schedule (so that all of the Le Mans competitor teams race), I'll be there again.

And then there are the races to attend because I should check out the track—either they're new classics, said to be fantastic, and/or they're places I might want to write about someday. Like Circuit of the Americas in Austin. Like Bristol, in Tennessee. And Le Mans.

Of course, the funds and the free time to attend races aren't unlimited, so I have to make choices. I have to tell myself there will be racing for many years to come, so I need to pace myself! And turn the frustration or sadness over not being at a race into energy to make plans for next year. And motivation to write!

So tell me, do you know where you'll be next year? Where will I see you at the races?

Team Kate Coast to Coast

This weekend will mark the end of the racing season for two series: IndyCar and the ALMS. Of course, it's not only the end of the season for the ALMS, but also the end of the line before it merges with Grand-Am next year. But Team Kate will close 2013 out with a bang—that's right, we'll be at both races this weekend, giving away Team Kate prizes. (Hints: watch for a Team Kate giveaway at the IndyCar tweet-up, and look for me at Petit!)

What you can win:

• Team Kate book bag, earplugs, bookplate, belt buckle
• Swag from Glass Hammer Racing, Pressdog, or #SteelOvaryNation
• Team Kate shirt OR signed copy of Dead Man’s Switch
• **Kate Reilly Limited Edition Kreisel watch (for Time to Win prize only)

Team Kate Prize

What you need to do:

1. Take a photo of yourself with someone in a Team Kate shirt (like the two of us pictured here)
2. Tweet it to @katereilly28
   OR
   Post it to Facebook and tag me (Tammy Kaehler)

Women in Racing Prize 

What you need to do: 

1. Take a photo of yourself with a former or current female racing driver, or any other woman involved in racing in a professional capacity (e.g., working on a crew, driving a pace car, reporting from pit lane, etc.)
   (bonus prizes for a Glass Hammer Racing driver, a Woman of pressdog® or a #SteelOvaryNation sign)
2. Tweet it to @katereilly28 (referencing @GlassHamrRacing, @pressdog, or #SteelOvaryNation)
   OR
   Post it to Facebook and tag me (Tammy Kaehler)

Time to Win Prize*
(*including a Kate Reilly limited-edition Kreisel Timepiece)
Number available: 2

What you need to do: 

1. Take a photo of yourself with me AND either a woman in racing (defined above) or a member of the Corvette Racing team
   (bonus prizes for a Woman of pressdog®, my friend Pattie [pictured here], a Corvette Racing driver or team manager)
2. Tweet it to @katereilly28
   OR
   Post it to Facebook and tag me (Tammy Kaehler)

Good luck hunting us down!