Red Racer Books began as a passion project for Andy Amendola, but its origins were anything but a single light bulb moment. Instead, the idea evolved slowly over time, sparked by a chain of serendipitous events. Andy, a long-time marketing and advertising professional, spent years helping other brands succeed, but he never ventured into creating something for himself—until Formula 1 racing entered the picture.

In the spring of 2021, Andy founded Red Racer Books, a series of children’s books centered around motorsports, starting with Formula 1. His goal was not only to entertain but also to use motorsports as a platform to engage and educate children about sportsmanship, diversity, science, and technology.

The idea first took root during Andy’s nightly bedtime reading ritual with his two children, Blanca and Joaquin. As a parent, he cherished the time spent sharing stories with his kids, but often found himself experiencing what he called the "Zone Out effect"—moments when his mind would wander, even while reading aloud. This made him wonder: could he write a children's book that would engage both kids and parents alike? For a while, the idea lingered without direction, until a new passion emerged.

During the pandemic, Andy and his family became hooked on Formula 1 racing after binge-watching Netflix’s Drive to Survive. The show’s gripping portrayal of the sport led them to dive deep into F1 content, from watching races to learning about the intricate engineering behind the cars. But when Andy searched for children’s books on Formula 1 to share with his kids, he came up short. Most were outdated or unengaging. That’s when he realized there was a gap in the market—a gap he was determined to fill.

After attending his first Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, in 2021, Andy’s vision for Red Racer Books solidified. The excitement and energy of the event were unlike anything he’d experienced before, and on the flight home, he began planning a series of children’s books that would introduce kids to the thrill of racing while also sparking an interest in STEM subjects.

To bring this idea to life, Andy turned to crowdfunding. In 2022, he launched Red Racer Books on Kickstarter, and the response was overwhelming. The community of backers and motorsport fans rallied behind the project, confirming Andy’s belief that there was a real demand for engaging, educational motorsports books for children. Thanks to the support of that community, ABCs of Racing was born, and Red Racer Books became more than just an idea—it became a movement.

As Red Racer Books continues to expand, Andy works tirelessly to ensure that each title is engaging, diverse, and educational. From its Kickstarter origins to official partnerships with top racing leagues, Red Racer Books is more than a children’s book series—it’s a movement to inspire and educate young readers, while fostering a deeper love for motorsports across the globe.