High Performance Computing & Cars

A few weeks back I was chatting to a HPC friend who, like me, also enjoys driving and we started throwing around an idea for a High Performance Computing & Cars event. Given I’m looking at the intersection of people working in a niche industry  with a relatively niche hobby I am fully cognisant of the fact this may not be an idea that goes anywhere.

But hear me out. Whilst it may seem you need petrol coursing through your veins to enjoy a track day or the like, and that certainly helps, it really isn’t a requirement. In fact, you spend much of the day, more than half, just milling around waiting to drive. In the past when I’ve gone to such days alone that time can be fairly boring. Bring together a group of people with a common interest and the driving (for some of them) could almost be secondary. You don’t even have to know how to drive, passenger laps and just watching are valid options.

I did a rally school day previously which worked quite well and was very beginner friendly. Plenty of opportunity to chat and catch up with people punctuated by short adrenaline fuelled laps around a rally stage with a sarcastic instructor telling you to give it some and go faster 😆 I have also done a “corporate” track day in the past which was good fun too for similar reasons but needs your own car and some degree of confidence about getting out onto the track.

I think this would have to be a self funded event. Not only because if I even suggest the idea to my CFO he will take me out back and give me a good kicking but I’m well aware that many people wouldn’t be permitted to attend due to corporate gift giving and anti bribery policies if was paid for by us.

If there’s enough interest, I’ll see if I can persuade our HPC Club manager to take this on and organise it. Let me know below please.