About Us

Performance Driving Australia’s objective is to create safer drivers by provide a range of driving programs on the road, off road and even on the track.

Training is required to achieve maximum performance in sport, at work or behind the wheel. Driving is a highly technical task that many of us take for granted but neglect when it comes to practice or training.

Training provides opportunities for drivers to learn and gain experience while under the supervision and guidance of an experienced team who encourage participants and provide valuable feedback.

The Performance Driving Australia team consists of experienced and passionate driver trainers with a broad range of skills and knowledge who deliver programs across Australia and overseas (pre-Covid). This combined experience has kept Performance Driving Australia at the leading edge of post licence driver education in Australia.

Our focus is delivering effective training in a friendly and safe environment for maximum learning that delivers real life outcomes.

We work with you – flexible training that is often delivered without a text book or powerpoint presentation to maximise engagement with each participant.

Managing Director – Mark Butcher – Mark has over 20 years experience in designing and delivering advanced driving programs in Australia and overseas. Mark has designed and delivered road safety programs, four wheel drive training, tactical driving, precision driving and motorsport training for a wide range of industries.

Mark has designed and delivered programs for the SAS and other military and law enforcement agencies both in Australia and overseas who require tactical driving including close personal protection, cash/asset transit, surveillance operations and evasive driving.

Mark has an extensive background in motorsport spanning over 20 years and includes driving in multiple World Championship rallies, racing cars on many of the circuits in Australia and is still heavily invested in motorsport as a driver, team manager and event organiser.

“You don’t know what you don’t know” is one of Mark’s favourite quotes as he never stops learning and gaining new skills and knowledge that he can share with clients.

Administration and Sales Team – Amy Butcher and Mikayla Szycman manage the sales, operations and logistics for the business. Bringing many years of experience in the industry they are not only efficient in the office but very knowledgeable about driving, events and training.

Senior Trainers – Our team of trainers are spread across the country and are carefully selected for their knowledge, experience and presentation style. The team includes several retired law enforcement officers, corporate training specialists and motorsport competitors. All senior trainers hold current workplace training and assessment certification. We are often looking to recruit new trainers. If you have extensive driving, driver training or operational driving experience and a current Cert IV in workplace training and assessment we would love to hear from you.

You can read about some of our senior trainers below.

If you are looking for a quote you can complete our request for quote form here.

Check out our photo album for action photos of our team in action here.

PDA Trainers are passionate, friendly and qualified with a focus on delivering real outcomes!

Steven Gibbs – Senior Trainer VIC)

Qualified Police Pursuit and Surveillance Driver Trainer

Cert IV Workplace Training And Assessment
Cert IV Transport and Logistics

Over 20 years experience with Vic Pol

John Black – Senior Trainer (QLD)

Over 10 years in the Driver Training industry

Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment

Heavy vehicle and Emergency Services driver trainer

Allan Roark – Senior Trainer / Driver (TAS)

Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment

Over 20 years competitive motor sport background including Nascar (Australia)

Professional MC and presenter

Warren Phillip-Clarke – Senior Trainer / Driver / Safety Officer (NSW)
Over 10 years in the Driver Training industry

Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment

Multiple state and national level rally events as a driver and co-driver

Ex-WA Police with extensive pursuit experience (including motorcycles)

Jon Worrell – Senior Trainer / Driver (NSW)

Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment

Experienced trainer with an extensive background in driving both for work and recreationally.

Rally Driver Instructor and Competitor in motorsport

Nigel Chong – Senior Trainer / Driver (TAS)

Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment

Professional Educator

Experience includes Disaster Response and Counter Terrorism Clinical Response

Motivational Keynote Speaker

Retired Ambulance Officer (Advanced Life Support Paramedic)

Registered Nurse

4WD Trainer for Murray District Ambulance Service

Carlo Ercole – Senior Trainer (WA)

Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment

Extensive experience in law enforcement and training

Work health and safety specialist

Malcolm (Butch) Truslove – Senior Trainer (WA)

Ex-WA Police driver trainer

Over 20 years in driver education and road safety

Experienced presenter specialising in road safety

Steve Glenney – Specialist Trainer / Driver (TAS)

Outright winner Targa Tasmania and various wins in the Australian Rally Championship, World Time Attack, Bathurst and Rally Cross.

Coaching many of Australia’s fastest drivers on both dirt and tarmac

Justin Herbert – Trainer (VIC)
Health and safety expert with a background in mining and civil projects

Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment

Experienced operator in heavy vehicles and plant

Eleni Mitakos – Trainer (NSW)

2020 Telstra Business Women’s Awards finalist

Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment

Specialises in educating young drivers – teaching approx. 100,000 teenagers a year

Trainer with PDA since 2009

Simon Evans – Specialist Trainer / Driver (VIC)

4 Times Australian Rally Champion and Asia Pacific Rally Champion

Multiple wins at all levels of rallying in Australia and overseas

Passionate about driving anything and everything

Jess O’Dwyer – Training Assistant (TAS)
Assisted training at most east-coast venues in Australia

Motorsport Event assistant for PDA Events

Other Trainers Include

Brett Freeman – SA

Neil Turner – SA

Michael Sealby – VIC

Our RTO

Performance Driving Australia works with Competency and Compliance who are an Australian Registered Training Organisation (RTO #41060). All recognised training is delivered via an auspicing agreement with Competency and Complaince.

Check out more about them here – Competency and Compliance Solutions – RTO – 41060 | Home