I'm just about to head out to Los Angeles International Airport for my fight to Dallas, en route to Circuit Of The Americas for the penultimate race of the 2015 Tudor Championship. It's going to come down to the wire, but I believe we can win this championship in our IHG® Rewards Club BMW Z4 GTLM.

    I want to share that adventure with you: 40,000 miles, 80 nights on the road, ten race tracks, 68 hours of racing, and one great hotel rewards program is what it takes to win a championship! This sounds like a tough schedule, but I love my life—who wouldn't? And as a regular traveler, in the same way we constantly engineer the race car quicker, I am pretty confident that I have developed the quickest travel strategy ever. I remember once that I didn’t prepare properly, I ended up with a rental car for 5am instead of 5pm, all because I didn’t check the right box when making a reservation.

    So, here's my Bill’s Travel Tips:

    Plan and prepare for your trip.

    Make sure you have your travel documents in one place. Scrambling for your passport or ID papers at the last minute is not fun and not a cool look. 

    Watch your weight!

    Plan what you need to pack for your trip and then halve it. This keeps the luggage weight down, saving you any excess airline charges, as well as saving a lot of time and anxiety at the airport. 

    Check the weather.

    Even if the forecast says it’s going to be sunny, always take a jacket. Being prepared for what you think is the right weather saves space in your suitcase, but always take a waterproof as these race tracks are notorious for having the weather change at the toss of a coin.

    Use one brand if you can, and make sure they have a rewards program.

    Take the same airline, use one rental car company, join a hotel rewards program. Gaining loyalty points is worth it, and the more you travel the more you beneft. In an ever-changing world my one constant is my personal and team partner, IHG® Rewards Club—I’d recommend you join them now and have FREE WiFi. Join here. They have the most excellent app to keep tabs on reservations and loyalty points.

    Pick a rental car company that has BMWs on its list.

    This way you get to try some new, great BMW models. Think of it like an extended test drive—worth doing so that you get used to the feel of the car at your leisure before you go to the dealership to buy.

    Always check in online.

    Airlines do overbook their planes. Make sure you check in online so you can be sure you have your seat. I can’t miss my race weekend and you should try not to miss your vacation.

    Time Zones.

    Always know what time zone you are in. There are no prizes for being late to the track and little point setting your alarm without checking the correct time at location.

    Enjoy the trip.

    We’ve got COTA and Petit Le Mans to go and everything to play for, so keep watching us at the track, or view at home with IMSA.com or listen on the go with IMSA Radio. 

    Dirk Werner and I, in car #25, are third in the championship, and BMW are second in the Manufacturer points. We can still do this!—Bill Auberlen

    Be sure to follow Bill on his Facebook page, Bill Auberlen Racing.