An enterprising young Rotherham businessman is in pole position after getting a flying start thanks to the Rotherham Enterprise project. Adam Tinsley set up F1 Showcars just over a year ago and can now report that business is booming.
F1 Showcars supply full sized Formula One simulator cars and display cars for hire at events, and Adam, who is also a race marshall for Silverstone, travels across the UK assisting at various circuits.
He said: "I set up F1 Showcars, offering Formula one car simulators I bought off the internet for hire at top events and took them with me when I worked as a marshall at the Grand Prix last year. It was pretty exciting, as I was there for two reasons – one of them being my own business."
The businessman now runs his successful company from home, keeping his display cars and simulators in Rotherham. As one of his vehicles is the only three seater Formula one car in the world - previously owned by the arrows Formula one team - his cars have starred at huge conferences up and down the UK. But setting up the business has not been easy.
"As this was my first step into business, Rotherham Enterprise really helped me get the ball rolling and gave me essential marketing, finance and business advice – including how to apply for grants I was entitled to. It's been great and I've even referred them to other people as they’ve given me a brilliant business plan and such good support."
The project, funded by European Regional Development Fund, employs teams of business coaches and business support officers to work closely with communities and with individuals who want to start or already run their own business.
The scheme helped Adam secure an innovation voucher from Business Link for £3,000 to help create and design a new product to develop F1 Showcars – a wireless games steering wheel, which local design company Fripp Design are currently working on.
"We currently have the 3D model for the steering wheel and once we've got a prototype in place we will be able to take the business further. Our top simulators all have rumbling surround sound with transducers and virtual reality headsets with glasses to give customers the real Formula One experience."
Adam has also introduced other fun Formula One style reality games, such as his F1 car wheel changing activity, which lets people try their hand at changing tyres in a pit stop timed situation, and a full sized motorbike simulator.
Jackie Frost, of Rotherham Youth Enterprise said: "Adam is a shining example of what true hard work and determination can achieve. He has come so far over the past year in terms of business awareness and enterprise creativity.
"We are thrilled that we have been able to help Adam and F1 Showcars on their way and wish them all the best with their venture, which we are sure will be a resounding success."
F1 Showcars website
Images: Rotherham Enterprise
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