About Us
Performance Driving Australia is a team of many experienced and passionate driver trainers with a mix of backgrounds. The combined experience and knowledge has allowed Performance Driving Australia to continue to develop new programs, revise existing programs and adapt to new technologies as they become available in modern vehicles.
Our focus is delivering training in a friendly and safe environment for maximum learning.
We work with you – we are not a text book and powerpoint driven organisation!
Managing Director – Mark Butcher – Over 20 years experience in designing and delivering advanced programs in Australia and overseas. Road safety programs, tactical driving, precision driving and motorsport training for a wide range of customers. Mark has been selected to design programs for the SAS and other military and law enforcement agencies who have a demand for the highest standard in driver training. Mark has competed in World Championship rallies, driven a wide variety of race cars and currently races a Lamborghini and Hyundai WRC replica in selected events.
“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, motorsport competitors and all senior trainers hold current workplace training and assessment certification. You can read about some of them below.
Meet some of our trainers….
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 and range of driving experiences
Rally Driver Instructor
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
Malcolm (Butch) Truslove – Senior Trainer (WA)
Ex-WA Police driver trainer
Over 20 years in driver education and 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
