Thought I'd add an update as a lot has happened since summer of 2016 when I last updated this thread, some good, some not so good but still no regrets going it alone.
Good, being my race car design work helped a client win a European racing championship which allowed their young driver to gain his super license so he could compete in F1
More good was being offered design/project management work on a automotive manufacturer works Formula E racing team while creating a technical first for my client
Not sure if this was good or not so good but I turned down the opportunity to work on an autonomous flying car. Extremely interesting but their ambition/expectations didn't really match their resource/timescales so I left it for someone braver than me to take on.
Not so good but a missed opportunity as I had to turn down a senior design role working for a good friend on the Aston Martin Valkyrie hyper car due to having other commitments
Not good at all was falling over dead with a cardiac arrest last summer, too much work and not enough play can be bad for your health.
More not so good missing an opportunity but best excuse ever for not having an interview with a F1 engine manufacturer, 'sorry I was in a coma'
More good, my first and only client was extremely supportive in allowing me the necessary time to get back up to speed while I mended from being dead. Hopefully my work for their next seasons race car will move them up the championship and repay the faith they showed in me.
Despite keeping a low profile and without any networking/advertising I am still able to pick and choose my projects
On the cards for my next challenge are, a hybrid hyper car, a F1 engine manufacturer, a super car, an electric hyper car, a Nordschleife record car, a F1 manufacturer team or I may take a break this summer to be a full time builder on my house project