Wild Swans tells the story of three generations in China, starting when the country was still an empire, then being occupied by Russians and Japanese, and the battle between the communists and the Kuomintang, and ultimately the communist era and the chaos caused by Mao. The pace slows down massively as the book progresses, to […]

With five others, I founded the International Sim Racing Federation, basically a FIFA for simracing, to organise racing across all simulators and all countries. Aside from nearly two years as interim board member, I’ve designed the identity, built the online channels (Facebook, Twitter, Mailchimp (used as a CRM system) and the Discord server), as well […]

This book is a true gem, and I’m surprised it’s not more known. Written in clear language, it compares the dominant thinking structures of Westerners (e.g. US & Europe) with that of East Asians (e.g. China & Japan). It goes back to Aristoteles and Confucius, but also using ecology, economy and culture to rationalise it, […]

I sat down with Irishman Graham Quinn, who’s the lead engineer of Andretti Autosport’s Global Rallycross team; the team that has won the title three times in a row now. Graham was also part of iRacing’s Rallycross team, and an avid Virtual Racing School user. https://virtualracingschool.com/academy/further-reading/stories/interview-andrettis-lead-engineer-graham-quinn-winning-global-rallycross-title-role-iracings-rallycross/

Orwell comes across as frustrated and angry, and rightly so. He outlines how clear writing can be achieved: “Let the meaning choose the word, not the other way around”, and “Probably it is better to put off using words as long as possible and get one’s meaning as clear as one can.” Orwell also makes clear […]

At the end of 2008, the regulations of Formula One were overhauled to simplify cars — especially the aerodynamics — to reduce costs and aerodynamic grip. Less grip would result in lower cornering speeds and improve overtaking. These new regulations included a component called the diffuser. This device sits at the rear of the car and produces […]

I’m pretty honoured to have done this interview, as I watched Scott on television some ten years ago when he was racing in Formula 1. Plus, he’s an inspirational guy. https://virtualracingschool.com/academy/further-reading/stories/scott-speed-iracing-rallycross/

Monday morning, December 23rd, 1985. The underground train travelling from Hammersmith to Baron’s Court is filled with people setting out for work or Christmas shopping. Among the latter is an old man of Asian origin. He’s wearing a suit jacket, gilet, tie and polished black shoes. The carts rumble through the humid and warm tunnels […]

Alain de Botton asks in a blog for The Guardian what the point of music is, on Quora someone asks “Why do we sleep?”, and on Reddit someone asks “What are numbers?” These are questions almost nobody asks — yet they immediately make you think. Not every question leads somewhere, but many developments were preceded […]

The reader experiences this story through the eyes of furry-four-legged Enzo, who has his dog-perspective on everything. It’s easy to feel joyed or saddened by the book, often both at the same time. The book isn’t ‘high’ or ‘deep’ on literature or meaning, but don’t let that stop you. It’s a fun and light book […]