The Ultima Academy?

[LuckyP]

Now what's all this about?

The Prof was helping me out last weekend at Silverstone in a very wet and windy 6hr endurance race. During the testing we broke for lunch and I heard all about a new business venture by our very own Steve Dunsford and Paul Buckthorpe.

Paul and Steve are opening up a new workshop in Fareham, Hampshire. They are offering the full range of work on kit cars, from servicing to complete builds - not just Ultimas but any make of kit cars. That's as much as I heard...I had other things to worry about......

Tell us more chaps?

Lucky

[Paul.B]

Yes it is true! We will be opening fully for business early December. We are hoping to take on a unit in Fareham as a workshop. I don't want to suffer a period in the BIN for advertising but basically as you have said in your posting.

Servicing
Builds
Modifications
Upgrades etc.

Not just Ultima or even just Kit cars. Anything interesting is very welcome. I'll leave it there for fear of a BINNING but any questions are welcome.


Paul.B

[andygtt]

Excellent idea, i wish you both great success...

and seeing as there have been a few threads recently looking for people who work on Ultimas I recon its a very relevant topic that shouldnt be binned... In fact I shouldnt there be a sticky with a list of people that work on the cars with a brief description of services offered?

[robm3]

Good idea Andy!

Seeing as the waiting list at SSS is months and months long there does seem to be a market for this sort of thing..

I myself am using Kyle's workshop...

[GTRCLIVE]

Good idea boys.. seen your cars so know that customers wont be disapointed with the work.... Plus I bet Steve_D is just twideling his thumbs at present...

Good luck I hope it works out.... you never know I might be able to put some work your way...

Edited by GTRCLIVE on Wednesday 28th October 17:41

[Rusti Evo]

Fantastic!! There's a real need for this down South.

[Steve_D]

andygtt said:

Excellent idea, I wish you both great success...

and seeing as there have been a few threads recently looking for people who work on Ultimas I recon it’s a very relevant topic that shouldn’t be binned... In fact shouldn’t there be a sticky with a list of people that work on the cars with a brief description of services offered?

Thanks for the support guys

Would be happy to join a list with the likes of:-
The Factory
Steve Smith
Kyle
Charles
Peter Knight
Boosted
etc.

Now, can I build you something nice while I twiddle my thumbs?

Steve

Edited by Steve_D on Wednesday 28th October 22:43

[Gulf -LS2]

Good luck down there to you both.

[GTWayne]

I wish you every success fellas, this is most definitely something that has been seriously lacking in our neck of the woods for many moons

[pilbeam_mp62]

I would use Steve_D with no reservations - he kindly came to my house and helped me fit the leather dashboard on my car.

Regards

[V8 Vum]

I wish you very good luck and happiness in your new venture Guys!

It IS the absolute RIGHT time to start something like this....

Just do me a favor chaps... Please don't lose sight of the reason and ethos for starting in the first place! It is ohhh so easy to forget, when the honeymoon is over and daily pressures starts to build, which it will!

As one of a number of business owners here, after 35 years (and 37 years married to the same lady)I have the scars to remind me!

I know you will have fun, whilst providing a top service...don't ever lose that!

When you have sorted the base, let us know where it is and I will be sure to drop in to say hello and congrat you in person!

All the best

Keith

[TuxMan]

Welldone guys , welcome to the club !!! remeber ....first in last out ...and chief coffee maker :-)

[Paul.B]

Thanks for all your comments guys. Nice to hear people we know and respect giving us their backing. I hope we have the right mix of talents! Steve's strengths are obvious for all to see and I believe mine will come from my 25 years in a harsh contracting enviroment with the last 15 years running several business'. I'm used to being both MD and chief stamp licker.

I have always thought most people find it is too easy to find reasons not to attempt something like this and keep the status quo, than to take the plunge and enjoy the journey. Hence the reason I too have a few scars

Oh, and I can swing a hammer too! Of sorts!

We'll keep you posted as things progress and start falling into place. Getting the premises nailed down is our main priority.

Paul.B

[V8 Vum]

Paul/Steve

Might just be a good idea to book a small stand or something at the NEC Jan AutoSports show? Recon there could be some deals to be had, and wouldn't it be a boost for 2010? What better way of launching your project? I know you would get a lot of aupport and free help from our MOTTLEY MOB if you did!

Cheers

Keith

[crafty]

Good luck guys!!

[shithotfast]

good stuff guys! I'm very jealous - would like to do the same but the wife is just too expensive to run for me to give up my line of work -( although I have just been made redundant!) Sounds good fun. Best of luck. I will drop in once your up and running...... when will that be? late dec?_ Presumably you will be the Ultima break-down service during Lemans!

Edited by sthotfast on Thursday 29th October 21:22

Edited by sthotfast on Thursday 29th October 21:23

[Steve_D]

sthotfast said:

good stuff guys! I'm very jealous - would like to do the same but the wife is just too expensive to run for me to give up my line of work -( although I have just been made redundant!) Sounds good fun. Best of luck. I will drop in once your up and running...... when will that be? late dec?_ Presumably you will be the Ultima break-down service during Lemans!

Don't know about during but we will be equipped to recover during the following week.

Hope to start business Dec 2nd. All hangs around getting the lease in place for the workshop.

Steve

[clynos1]

Steve, Paul,
The very best of luck with your venture - just the thing we need 'down south'
David

[ditto]

I knew Steve was too young to retire
Good luck to you both in your new venture

[srreck]

My best wishes. It will be a place to visit even for spanish Ultimas.
Cheers,
Javier