The idea of a kit-car hadn't even crossed my mind until summer 2001. I'd just graduated
from uni with a BSc in Computer Science and owned an Aprilia RS125 sports bike. I loved
that bike but money was short and finding a job after uni was a lot harder than I imagined,
so I sold the bike :o(
At the time my brother was the one looking at kit-cars as a cheap way of getting a
performance car. He basically planted the seed in my mind and after much browsing of
the web and reading of mags I decided on the Tiger Cat E1. I actually ordered the car
in September 2001 before I even got a proper job! (I since got a job as a computer
programmer in October working in Bristol)
I've always been into cars from an early age but have never really understood the
inter workings of them. I mean I know they have engines etc. but had never done an oil change
or done any kind of maintenance on them. I figured the Cat would be a good way to
teach myself about cars and at the same time get a performance car. Aged 21 insuring
anything other than a 1.4 Astra was almost impossible.
I collected my kit on 15th December 2001 which was a fully comprehensive kit with doner
pack and reconed 2lt Pinto. It was a long day as Tiger Racing is based a hell of a long way
away from me. Whilst collecting it the kit it suddenly dawned on me that I may have bitten
off more than I could chew. The shock of seeing a bare space frame chassis and an engine
sitting on a pallet (i.e. not in a car) was scary! Sue (from Tiger) even said to me "don't
worry you'll be ok". I guess she could see the fear in my eyes!
The way I looked at the build was to take on each task one at a time and not think about
the whole thing. Another major bonus was the
Tiger list
which was a life line of people without whom I'd never have finished. My advise to anyone
thinking about building a kit-car is GO FOR IT! If I can do it anyone can!
