Our petrolhead mechanic team
You get to deal directly with passionate car enthusiasts, petrolheads that love anything automotive, so come meet the team.
Darren Hill – Senior Mechanic
Where were you born and where did you grow up
Born Tottenham, London, UK. Family moved to West country in ’73, where I stayed until 2003 then France till 2014, then moved to Australia
First car you drove and did your parents know about it at the time
Jag XJ12 on Weston Super Mare Beach 1980
How old were you when you learnt to drive
First learned to drive around ’83/’84. I was given a Mk1 Escort from the mechanic at the garage I worked at on Saturdays. I used to tear around the local waste ground (we call it a tip here in Australia)
First car you owned
Datsun Cherry, it was cheap and started every time (also many motorcycles)
First motorsport event
Donnington Park 1989, Superbikes, watching a Norton rotary win
Best motorsport event
Isle Of Man TT 1997 incredible
Favourite cars
Mk2 Jaguar, Triumph 2500 saloon, Rover P6 v8, Alfa Romeo (Alfas never makes sense but doesn’t matter)
Best car driven
Renault 5 GT turbo, MK2 Golf GTI perfectly formed giant slayer
Mechanical speciality
I’ll tackle anything, my determination to always fix it comes from motorcycles, you have be able to work in all fields of repairs – engine builds, tuning, electrical faults, transmission, suspension etc
Anything else we should know about you?
Raced motorcycles 600s, 750, 350 in the ’90s and 2000s. Ran my own shop in UK and France for many years. Keen MTB rider last 20 plus years, and taxi to two kids 16-18 (although they’re driving now) and I’ve been married 28 years
Noel Mews – Senior Mechanic
Where were you born and where did you grow up
Born in Sydney. Grew up in Blacktown and have lived in Auburn and Five Dock. True Sydney boy.
First car you drove and did your parents know about it at the time
Too far back to remember
How old were you when you learnt to drive
16
First car you owned
Austin Freeway
What cars do you own now?
1954 Hillman Minx
1979 MGBGT
2015 Nissan Navara
First motorsport event
Speedway at Sydney Showgrounds, age about 11
Best motorsport moment
I always loved watching Bathurst. The year I finally went they moved the V8’s & the 2 litre Touring Cars were on. I had come down from QLD to see the V8’s live.
Favourite colour
No favourite colour and no favourite on a car either
Favourite car or type(s) of cars
Favourite was my XB Fairmont 76 hard top, burnt orange with a vinyl roof
What do your mates call you and why
Mewsy. Typical blokes, easy nickname to remember.
Best car you’ve ever driven and why
Honda Accord Euro. Owned and loved that car. I had a Volvo wagon that was ugly as sin but I loved it. Navara is my current car, best car I’ve driven in a while
Mechanical specialities
All rounder, will give anything a go, but love the classics
How long have you been qualified and how long have you been in the industry
Started in 1975, been in it on and off ever since. Went into automotive retail for a couple of years but found my way back to the tools
What do you do when you’re not working on cars
Sleep, and dream about classic cars
Anything else we should know about you?
Loving being part of the Peninsula team. Great group of people here.
Brandon Boudville – Mechanic
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
Perth, WA. Made the move to Sydney in October last year, but Perth is still ‘home’
First car you drove and did your parents know about it at the time
94 Toyota 4runner. They knew that I had the car but never knew I would to take it out before I had a licence
How old were you when you learnt to drive
15
First car you owned
94 Toyota 4runner
What cars do you own now?
2005 HSV VZ Senator
1987 Holden VL Berlina
2005 Toyota Corolla Sportiva
1989 Toyota Corolla MkII
Favourite colour
Purple
Favourite car or type(s) of cars
All-time favourite is the JX100 chaser. My favourite cars are any 4 door Toyota. Partial to any Japanese or Australian car really.
What do your mates call you and why
Brandito. Best mate Jack called me that one day and it just stuck
What got you hooked on cars and/or motorsport
My grandad, my dad and my uncles. My grandad was a mechanic and the family were always mucking around with cars at the front of his house. Have nice memories of that. Love anything with a motor and wheels. It’s in our blood.
What type of cars/boats/bikes/machines etc have you worked on
All types ranging from 4WD’s, trucks, one tonners, motorbikes and dirt bikes
Mechanical specialities
Anything turbo related. I was a turbo technician for 2 yrs
How long have you been qualified and how long have you been in the industry
Qualified in 2013 & completed my apprenticeship in 2010. Been in it ever since.
What do you do when you’re not working on cars
Look for car parts, but don’t tell the wife haha
Anything else we should know about you?
I just got married!
Patrick Connolly – Apprentice Mechanic
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
Born and grew up in Sydney and always lived here
First car you drove and did your parents know about it at the time
First car I drove was 1976 Honda Civic and yes my dad taught me to drive in it
How old were you when you learnt to drive
16
First car you owned
Mini Moke Californian
What cars do you own now?
1962 MGA Deluxe (very rare only 3 in Aus)
1948 MGTC
2005 VW V6 Multivan
First motorsport event
Bathurst 1000 in 2003 a great weekend sleeping on the hill trackside Saturday night to get position
Best motorsport moment
Peter Brock’s Memorial at Bathurst 2006 Amazing to be there as thousands remembered and celebrated a true Australian legend
Favourite colour
I like Red and British Racing Green
Favourite car or type(s) of cars
My favourite car is my father’s MGTC also enjoy a good old Holden V8
What do your mates call you
Moses for my beard
Best car you’ve ever driven
MGA Mk2 a great balanced comfortable driving experience where I really feel connected to the car
Mechanical specialities
Have been playing with cars as long as I can remember and finally starting my mechanic training officially
What do you do when you’re not working on cars
Windsurfing is my sport and I’m back competing at the nationals after a long break
Anything else we should know about you?
Already teaching my 10yo son to be a car nut like me…
Radford Hall – Restoration Specialist
Where were you born and where did you grow up
Sidcup. South East London UK
First car you drove and did your parents know about it at the time
Porsche 924. No they did not know
How old were you when you learnt to drive
17
First car you owned
1972 Mk1 Escort
What cars do you own now?
1964 MGB Roadster
1968 Mini Cooper S
2005 AC Cobra 5.0 ltr Boss
2021 Ford Ranger
First motorsport event
Banger racing at Arena Essex
Best motorsport or motoring moment
Doing 185mph in my TVR Cerbera
Favourite colour
Blue
Favourite car or type(s) of cars
AC Shelby Cobra. Most 60’s to 80’s cars
What do your mates call you and why
Rad, cos I am
Best car you’ve ever driven and why
Tough one between my AC Cobra and my TVR Cerbera. Both beautiful cars and wicked fast.
Mechanical specialities
Restoration and anything Mini
What do you do when you’re not working on cars
Work on Houses
Anything else we should know about you?
I love music, reading and travel.
Richard Blanks – Mechanic’s Assistant
Where were you born and where did you grow up
Aldershot (home of British Military)
First car you drove and did your parents know about it at the time
Ford Capri Mk2 1.6L (and yes)
How old were you when you learnt to drive
16
First car you owned
Ford Capri Mk2 1.6L
What car do you own now?
1966 Cortina GT MkII
First motorsport event
Banger racing at local circuit 10mins from home. Had events every Thursday night ranging from Mk2 Escort category to demolition derbies. Loved the smells, sounds and sights and really lucky to have it so close by.
Best motorsport or motoring moment
Attending a Santa Pod Drag Racing meet – Top Fuel and Funny cars are absolutely insane!
Favourite colour
Red
Favourite car or type(s) of cars
UK Fords (Capri’s & Escorts) and Jags
What do your mates call you and why
Blanksy (usual adding of a Y) or Woody (went to a fancy dress party thinking I’d nailed the Clint Eastwood look and a girl asked me if I’d come as Woody from Toy Story, mates weren’t going to let that opportunity slide!)
Best car you’ve ever driven and why
Lamborghini Gallardo – awesome sound and pure smile factor.
What do you do when you’re not working on cars
parenting, home renos, music (listening, vinyl stores, live gigs)
Anything else we should know about you?
Love my UK football (soccer 
) – Chelsea’s my team and have an affinity to WWII planes via my Grandad, my favourite being the Spitfire which I was lucky enough to fly in this year.
Jasmine (Jazz) Pampling – Apprentice Mechanic
Where were you born and where did you grow up
QLD, I’ve lived in NSW for a while now though. I’ve probably lost the title of Queenslander.
First car you drove and did your parents know about it at the time.
My mum always had these busted old cars that would break down. She would push start the car and I would sit in the driver’s seat.
How old were you when you learnt to drive
17 years old
First car you owned
Ohhhhhhhh, it was a Nissan Pulsar. I thought I belonged in the fast and the furious series.
First motorsport event
I believe it was a drag racing event in QLD.
Best motorsport or motoring moment
Learning to drive my dad’s 1955 MG TF. I didn’t get to do this with him, but owning the TF made him very happy. I get some serious side eye as a woman driving this car.
Favourite colour
Black. Yes, it’s a colour, I’ll hear no argument about if it’s a shade or a colour.
Favourite car or type(s) of cars
Give me a classic or a vintage car of any kind. The designs of these cars are so iconic, we just don’t have that anymore. What is the difference between a classic and a vintage? Well that really comes down to the year you were born.
What do your mates call you and why
I have been called Jazz for many years. Short for Jasmine.
Best car you’ve ever driven and why
I am yet to drive a super fancy pants car. I can say I love driving my TF. There is nothing smooth about this drive. It’s just a lot of fun.
Mechanical specialities
I’m great with a pair of tweezers, does that count?
What do you do when you’re not working on cars
I ocean swim and I’m learning to free dive.
Anything else we should know about you?
I have worked as a brow and makeup artist for 13 years. I created my own business, worked at fashion week, and worked with celebrities like Paula Abdul and Naomi Watts. I still work as a brow artist, while I learn to be a mechanic.
Siddhant Paudyal – Apprentice Mechanic
Where were you born and where did you grow up
Born and grew up in Kathmandu, Nepal made the move to Australia in February 2018
First car you drove and did your parents know about it at the time
It was a 92 or 93 Land Rover Defender and my parents didn’t know about it at the time. Let’s just say it was a “secret driving lesson.”
How old were you when you learnt to drive
16
First car you owned
The first car I owned was a Suzuki A-star. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it got me from point A to point B reliably.
First motorsport event
Nepal National Championship Motocross
Best motorsport or motoring moment
My best motorsport adventure was the epic off-road motorcycle rally from Kathmandu to Lo Manthang, a jaw-dropping 3,840 meters above sea level! I had to conquer ice-cold Himalayan rivers head-on and navigate heart-pounding cliffside roads that would make even the bravest adrenaline junkie sweat!
Favourite colour
Blue
Favourite car or type(s) of cars
56 Chevy 3100 (the bodyline is dead sexy, what’s not to not like on them)
What do your mates call you and why
Dante, a local slang term for folks with, well, long teeth. And you know how it goes – once something sticks in school, it’s like superglue, and “Dante” has been my tag ever since!
Best car you’ve ever driven and why
Ford Mustang Fastback. 1960s iconic car, and thrilling performance.
Mechanical specialities
I’m currently in the learning phase and haven’t acquired a specialization yet. However, I’m eager to become an expert in the field of restoration.
What do you do when you’re not working on cars
Travelling or reading
Anything else we should know about you?
Getting married this year
Come and visit the workshop. We’ll chat about cars, lament the rise of soulless, silent electric vehicles, & debate which model was best for each example of the cars currently in house.