🤠Sim Racing's Unofficial Sheriff

My driving style has been described as “unconventional.” I prefer to think of it as aggressively exploring the track limits and occasionally the gravel trap’s ecosystem.

Majors 24 Recap Podcast Just Dropped: A recent open-mic session on the "Inside the Majors" podcast captured some great stories following this year's Majors 24 event. Podcast host Garren, featured drivers and broadcasters who shared their unfiltered experiences with everything from the rainy conditions to wild tales of home-made rigs and sim racing injuries. The session included a story from this community's own Discord member, Dylan who was the unsuspecting culprit of the sim racing injury, chatted about his split, as well as VSpeed’s Morgan Cook recounting his marathon 12-hour solo broadcast. Check out the awesome recap episode here.

French immersion not so certain: Alpine's much-anticipated expansion into the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship's GTP category has been put on hold, as confirmed by its Vice President of Motorsport, Bruno Famin. This delay is a direct result of the Renault Group's decision to postpone the Alpine brand's introduction to the U.S. market, citing economic factors, market uncertainty, and a need to focus on current markets. While an IMSA program would align with a U.S. launch, the racing plans are now paused indefinitely until the brand's American market strategy is back on track.

More time on the table: Max Verstappen is now officially locked in with Red Bull for the 2026 Formula 1 season, removing any speculation about a potential early exit. A performance clause in his contract that could have made him a free agent can no longer be activated thanks to his secure position in the top three of the driver's championship standings. This development brings stability to Red Bull and is expected to clear the way for George Russell to finalize his contract negotiations with Mercedes.

In the wild west of sim racing, one name echoes through the digital grandstands, leaving a trail of furious debate and divided opinions: Jacob W. Klein. Part skilled competitor, part community pariah, Klein has become a legend in the world of iRacing, but not always for the right reasons.

On one hand, you have a model citizen of the virtual track. This is the Jacob W. Klein who is a talented software developer, creating handy ratings calculators for the community. He’s a team captain who races for charity, raising money for the National MS Society. Most impressively, he’s a certified "Ironman," having completed the grueling 24 Hours of Daytona solo, a feat of endurance that commands respect.

Then there’s the other guy. The one whispered about in race lobbies. The "serial protester."

This is the Klein who allegedly sends in 3-4 protests per race, meticulously documenting every minor infraction. We’re not just talking about malicious wrecks; community members claim he reports everything from a stray "damn" in the chat to calling an actual racist a "troll," deeming the latter word "disrespectful" and therefore against the rules. His presence reportedly has a chilling effect, with drivers avoiding chat altogether for fear of winding up on his "spreadsheet."

Off the track, Klein has appointed himself the unofficial reporter of all things iRacing on X (formerly Twitter). He covers race drama, technical glitches, and driver disputes with a sensationalist flair.

So what gives? Is Klein a righteous vigilante cleaning up the streets of iRacing, or is he a counterproductive tattletale ruining the fun for everyone? The answer is more complicated than a simple checkered flag, it’s more like an “end of race caution during an oval race with a lucky dog, green/white/checkered with half the field deciding if they want to pit for fresh tires” kind of situation…

The iRacing Sporting Code is a massive document that every user agrees to. It’s incredibly detailed, prohibiting everything from intentional wrecking to "rude" language. Crucially, iRacing’s official stance is that the protest system is a "teaching tool," and they encourage reporting even unintentional mistakes to help drivers learn. In fact, over 70% of protests result not in punishment, but in "coaching."

From this perspective, Klein isn't abusing the system; he's using it exactly as it was designed. He's a systemic absolutist, a man who sees the rules in black and white and acts accordingly. He may be the product of a system that allows for "legalistic griefing"—behavior that’s technically within the rules but socially destructive.

The community's backlash is its own form of justice, an attempt to enforce the unwritten social contract that makes the game enjoyable. While the rulebook is law, the court of public opinion has clearly reached its own verdict. The most telling rumor? That Klein has applied to be an official iRacing steward multiple times and been rejected, suggesting even the platform's creators know that good judgment requires more than just knowing the rules.

Ultimately, the saga of Jacob W. Klein reveals the fascinating tension at the heart of any online community: the clash between the cold, hard letter of the law and the unwritten, ever-evolving spirit of the game.

What do you think is more important in an online community: strictly enforcing the rules or preserving the social vibe?

Ever feel like you don't have enough hours in the day? Try telling that to Felipe Sarkis. This Brazilian lawyer is not only a professional go-kart racer but also a dedicated iRacing driver, all while managing a bustling family life with a wife, three kids, two cats, and two dogs.

So, how does he do it? Sarkis, the 2020 Itu Kart Cup Champion and a top-five finisher in the 2021 São Paulo State Karting Championship, is no stranger to the demanding worlds of both real-life and virtual racing. His secret seems to be a relentless drive to be the best.

Currently, his focus is on mastering the Super Formula car on iRacing. This means countless hours dedicated to refining his racecraft, diving deep into telemetry data, and pushing for unwavering consistency at the absolute limit. It’s a grind that he balances with his real-world karting competitions and a full-time legal career.

When he’s not in a cockpit or a courtroom, you can find him embracing the beautiful chaos of parenting. As for hobbies outside of racing and law? Sarkis jokes that he enjoys "pretending I still have time for hobbies."

Want to keep up with Felipe's journey? You can follow him on Instagram @felipe.fsarkis

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