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Fresh start for the former Tiger Racing models……..Cat, Cat XL and Supercat, with news this week that the projects have been taken over by ace kit builders, SouthWays Sports Cars, based in Fareham, Hampshire and run by Paul Buckthorpe and Steve Dunford.

SouthWays Sports Cars is the new home for Tiger's Cat, Cat XL and Supercat models, while the Fareham-based company will also act as Tiger Agents, too.

Tiger’s MD, Jim Dudley felt that the company’s model range was growing too large and was aware of the quality of work produced by Paul and Steve, including several Tigers, and so this seemed like a logical move.

It also allows Tiger Racing to concentrate on their race-winning R6, RS6 and new Aviator, while very importantly a new R6-10, is being developed to meet ESSTA (European Small Series Type Approval) requirements.

The exciting move therefore allows both companies to press ahead allowing SouthWays to have full manufacturing rights to the Cat, Cat XL and Supercat, although they will drop the Tiger prefix. With hundreds of Cat models out there, the future for them is bright, especially as they will also act as agents for Tiger’s other models.

More information from www.southwaysautomotive.com or 01329 220 755 or www.tigerracing.co.uk ENDS.

Tiger Racing will be concentrating on their other models, including the Aviator.

ENGINE FACTORY……don’t just supply a range of Chevy engines. They are also big on Ford stuff, too.

Among their stable of such delicacies are a 302ci delivering 350bhp at $6995 (approx £4676.74); a 351 Windsor producing 400bhp at $7995 (approx £5435.32); a 347 Street Stroker producing 425bhp at $8195 (approx £5479.04) and a 427 Street Stroker producing a whopping 538bhp and entertaining 500lb/ft at $11,995 (approx £8019.66). An upgrade for the latter is a reinforced four-bolt mains Dart block at $2800 (approx £1872.03).

All packages are ready to ‘plug and play’ and if you prefer, you can deal direct with the company’s UK agent, Mark Smith via 01952 604 944 or visit www.enginefactory.com

A variety of tempting Ford packages from Engine Factory.

Caterham Cars MD…………….Ansar Ali, showcased the British marque’s cars, along with owners of its iconic Seven, to students at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh last Thursday (Mar 4). Ali gave a lecture to students about his leadership of Caterham Cars and the development of the award-winning Superlight R500.

The Flatshifter electronic gearshift system…………..offers fully clutchless gearshifts.

Many similar type products only offer a fast upshift, but the Flatshifter Pro quickshifter is unique in that it also provides a clutchless downshift.

Flatshifter performance gear shifting products are suitable for use on motorbikes and bike-engined road and race cars as well as other types of vehicle fitted with sequential gearboxes. They offer full or part throttle clutchless up-shifting and smooth clutchless downshifting.

This unique system consists of an electronic control unit and a gearshift rod, which replaces the existing one on motorbikes, or is fitted into the existing gear linkage for car applications. The kit is supplied complete with a detailed instruction manual and all necessary wiring and connectors, making installation quick and simple.

They also produce the Flatshifter Max, which is a push-button gear change system that may be combined with any of their other products to give a fully automated gearchange at the push of a button.

Flatshifter products are suitable for road or track applications and the company offer other automotive products such as the Evo Dash digital dashboard and are also working on a quckshift system for ‘H’ pattern gearboxes.

More information from www.flatshifter.com or 01206 322 557 ENDS.

The latest Frost Restoration catalogue………is out NOW and jammed-full of handy products to help restore, repair and enhance your vehicle.

A free copy is yours for the asking. Just call 01706 758 258 and tell ‘em we sent you ENDS.

Spring sees the introduction of the new……..Dremel 7700 Hobby cordless multi-tool - a welcome addition to the Dremel Hobby range for creative crafts.

The Dremel 7700 is an easy-to-use, lightweight, cordless multi-tool using a 7.2V Ni-Cad battery and is compatible with Dremel's extensive range of accessories. The cordless nature of the Dremel 7700 Hobby allows for greater mobility and flexibility wherever it is needed.  The new multi-tool has two speed settings for better control and accuracy (10,000/20,000 RPM) and can be fully charged in just three hours.

A generous array of added elements has been included with the Dremel 7700 Hobby kit, including a charger and adapter, three unique engraving templates, a blue storage softbag and 15 high quality engraving and routing accessories.  These include four engraving cutters, a high-speed cutter, a diamond wheel point, a tungsten carbide cutter and a precision drill bit set.

For the first time, Dremel has also included a multi-chuck, which allows the changing of accessories without using collets, making life a lot quicker and easier for the busy hobbyist.

The Dremel 7700 Hobby can be used for all sorts of creative engraving projects, such as decorations on glassware, ceramics and wood.  With the purchase of other products from Dremel's range of 150 accessories, the tool can also be used for carving, shaping and sanding wood.

For model-makers, it's ideal for sanding and buffing model kits, removing excess plastic or modifying parts.

The Dremel 7700 Hobby will also make light work of polishing, drilling into and carving silver jewellery out of pieces of precious metal.

Not limited to any one hobby, this cordless multi-tool can be used extensively for cardmaking, parchment projects and many other different crafts and applications.

Keen crafters and hobbyists can even enter their creative work onto Dremel's website in the new Creative Gallery section at:

http://app.dremeleurope.com/app.dremeleurope.com/GB/diy/consumersgallery 

The Dremel 7700 Hobby will be available priced £49.99 (SRP) from retail stores or online at http://www.dremel-direct.com ENDS

This 2-litre………..Manual Oil Extractor requires just 3 to 5 strokes to create a powerful vacuum within 40 seconds and is ideal for a multitude of uses including oil changes on motor mowers/ motorcycles / ATVs / outdoor power equipment etc. 

It is also suitable for removing bilge water from boats or trapped water in plumbing systems. Includes a see-thru container, which has calibrated walls allowing visual measurement of the oil being extracted, extraction hose with tube end. 

The Manual Oil Extractor (Part No 4786) retails for around £42.49 each.

For further information visit - http://www.lasertools.co.uk/item.aspx?item=4253 ENDS.

Engine tuning company…………..THOR Racing has released details of its elegant solution to the problem of trying to start high compression or increased capacity tuned engines. Its new high-torque starter motor bolts in as a direct replacement for the lethargic factory offering.

When building a performance engine, accepted practise is to improve compression within each cylinder. Although this is good news for the efficiency of the combustion process, it’s bad news for the poor old starter - which had never signed up for more than spinning the factory lump. At best, you can hope for a lazy cranking action and sporadic starting. At worst, it won’t start at all.

The lightweight THOR 1.4kW starter motor uses vastly uprated internals in order to produce much higher cranking speeds and torque. Optimised gearing also facilitates the process, helping to keep current draw to a minimum – usually 50 per cent less than the original - meaning that it can run happily from the car’s existing battery. It also weighs significantly less than the factory part, which is never a bad thing.

Prices start at £229.13 inc VAT.

For more details on the vast THOR range of tuning parts visit www.thor-racing.co.uk or call 0845 260 5760 ENDS.

Subaru tuners………………Roger Cark Motorsport has the ideal solution for anyone looking for belts and braces reassurance on their tuned flat four engine.

The Leicestershire-based firm offers two uprated belts for all years and variants of the Subaru Impreza and Legacy engines. Although their improved under-bonnet aesthetics are hard to miss, the real reason for upgrading to either the Cosworth or Genuine STi belts is their ability to cope with far higher stresses than the factory original.

Essential for anyone considering - or running - a high performance engine, the belts are a direct service replacement and fit as per the factory part. The Cosworth belt is a veritable bargain at £133.95 inc VAT - just a few pounds more than the bog-standard item. The Sti belt is a little dearer at £235 inc VAT, but as the ultimate factory approved upgrade, is the choice for the purist! Whichever version you choose, they have both been able to withstand RCM’s own gruelling engine test programme, so even if you’re running 6-700bhp, these belts will handle it with ease.

For more details on the team or the magic they can perform on any Subaru, please visit www.rogerclarkmotorsport.co.uk or call them on 01455 828 610 ENDS.

This innovative torch………….has a single super bright LED powered by a rechargeable battery. Simply twist the torch to charge the battery.

Ideal for all out of doors activities, as a glove box tool or simply for an emergency. 

Keep the light charged and it won't let you down. Charge lasts for 10-15mins operation.

The Kamasa Rechargeable Twist Torch (part number 55972) retails at around £10.24.

For further information visit http://www.kamasa.co.uk/item.aspx?item=4175 ENDS.