Web-based company shows James still has bags of drive.

A FORMER managing director of a Young Enterprise team who were named county champions is using that experience to help launch his own new business.

James Evans, who is now 20, helped devise a complex computer software programme to run a table tennis tournament when he and his friends were students at Dover boys' grammar school.

The programme, which kept track of all the matches and more than 70 players, was so successful that orders were placed from other parts of the country, and the team attained affiliation with the English Table Tennis Association.

They went onto be named Young Enterprise Kent Company of the Year.

Now James; who lives in Deal, has turned his attention to cars, and has set up a web-based company, www.Firstcar.co.uk, which was launched on Wednesday, May 5, and helps young drivers find the right vehicle for them.

"Everybody remembers their first car, unfortunately not always for the right reasons," said James.

"Helping young drivers find the right vehicle by uncovering the too often hidden costs of motoring is now a click away thanks to www.firstcar.co.uk "By bringing together the latest Internet technology and working closely with leading names such as the RAC, Endsleigh Insurance and Direct Auto Finance Ltd, firstcar.co.uk is able to offer a precise 'on-the-road-price' for every car we sell. "This is an industry first, beating other similar companies." After free registration, users can browse firstcar's online database of suitable first-time cars for sale. The price they see includes a personal insurance quote, the car's yearly road tax rate and the seller's asking price.

"Getting your first car is a major milestone for many young people, but so often the final choice can be a costly one, with many years spent paying the bills," said James.

"Too often people buy with their heart rather than their head. Our website takes a lot of the pain out of the process, in particular providing the real costs of the purchase, as many people buy without considering another major expense - insurance." The website also allows users to get a standalone insurance quote, buy breakdown cover, get a car history check and arrange finance on a new or used vehicle.

Firstcar information resources and editorial content covering topical issues relevant to new and young drivers are available to view online or download and print.

Commenting on firstcar.co.uk, Jennifer Day, of Endsleigh Insurance, said: "This service will significantly reduce the number of people being caught out by high insurance costs, a common problem with new and young drivers."

Billy Hollis, managing director of Hollis Motors, the Dover-based VW/SEAT dealer, said: "This resource is long overdue and provides a great outlet for suitable first cars.

"I am personally delighted to be involved with the development of firstcar.co.uk"

Alyson Howard, chairman of Institute of Directors, Kent, said: "The birth of firstcar.co.uk clearly demonstrates the value of Young Enterprise and how it can enthuse young people to develop a product and a business plan and then take them to market.

"We wish James and his colleagues success in their careers as entrepreneurs."