abdc group 05 j1z7
abdc group 08 d762
abdc group 10 h5n0
abdc group 17 pqox
abdc group 18 pzbo
Tim Britten29 May 2018
FEATURE

ABDC 2018: Meet the crew

Want to know the ABDC judges, drivers and crew at large? Look no further!

In many ways Australia’s Best Driver’s Car is as simple as its name suggests. Yet it takes a small army of judges, drivers and support crew to make our biggest annual performance test happen.

As well as the motoring.com.au Road Test team – who form the judging panel at ABDC – we have a number of support drivers to move the field of cars around the state, a couple of race drivers to set accurate times on the track, a trio of photographers and videographers, and a pair of safety and support officers tasked with keeping us all safe.

Of course the team comes to ABDC with a wealth of knowledge, and a wide and varied background, too. Let’s find out what makes them tick.

Nadine Armstrong and our own pro-racer Luke Youlden
Nadine Armstrong – Consumer Editor

Nadine has participated in every ABDC since its inception in 2015. As one of Australia’s leading female motoring writers, she brings a broad perspective on cars and what people want of them.

What do you like most about ABDC? It’s a change to look at the cars with a different lens – a more emotive one. Just like a normal buyer would.

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? Maintaining my sanity while travelling for five days with 20 (or so) men.

What’s your biggest motoring-related-ambition? I’d like to encourage more young women to enter the world of motoring – whether that be journalism, on the manufacturer’s side, or a more hands-on design or engineering role. It’s a wonderful industry that will not only benefit from a greater female presence, but it’s so much fun!

How long have you been writing about cars? Since 2006.

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? Most recently it would have to be the Audi V10 R8 RWS. It’s an astonishing car made even more driveable… and that exhaust note.

What was your first car? A 1991 Nissan Pulsar Sport.

What is your current car? A 2017 Audi S3 sedan.

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? A Lexus LC 500, baby!

Matt Brogan
Matt Brogan – Road Test Editor

Matty B’s vital role in planning and getting ABDC off the ground is unquestioned. The self-confessed muscle car fan has driven more, and spent more hours working an eclectic selection of old and new cars than most will in their lifetimes.

What do you like most about ABDC? ABDC is unlike any other performance car test. The variety of cars – and the opportunity to drive them back-to-back on the road and the race track – is truly unique, and makes the event an absolute annual highlight. I think it’s the most relatable real-world performance car test there is, and as a petrol head, there’s nothing not to like about that!

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? I’ve got to say that winning my class in the final running of the Australasian Safari (2014) is a real highlight. I’ve got a desk full of motorsport trophies and awards, but there’s something pretty special about placing first in event I’d never before attempted – and sadly never will again.

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? For me it’d be the chance to compete at Targa Tasmania. I love road racing, and the Tasmanian landscape – and indeed the event itself – is unique in the world, and having the opportunity to compete on a stage like that is absolutely magnetic to me. Fingers crossed it happens soon.

How long have you been writing about cars? Officially it’s just more than a decade, but I’ve been steering a pen for car club newsletters and the likes since I was old enough to hold a learner’s permit. In carsales/motoring terms I might not be one of the veterans, but with over 500 reviews to my name I’m now tailing only Ken Gratton in terms of actual volume.

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? I get asked that a lot, and it’s a really difficult question to answer. I think there’s a fine line between excitement and coming close to shitting your pants; and if the latter is any measure of a car then it’s a toss-up between the Pagani Zonda and the Elfin MS8 Clubman. Both were an absolute handful in their own way – but they certainly let you know you were alive!

What was your first car? The first car I road-registered was a 1980 Holden (VC) Commodore L. It had a lethargic 3.3-litre ‘blue’ motor (I think it was called 'blue' because it's how it made you feel) and a four-speed manual I literally replaced in the gutter out the front of my house after losing two gears in one night! Like most ‘first’ cars I spent way too much money on it for little return, and wasn’t too sad to see it go when I sold it a year down the track.

What is your current car? I have a few, but I’m currently daily-driving a 2007 Mazda (NC) MX-5. I was a little late to the MX-5 party, but after a number of V8 sedans, and a handful of hot hatches, I have to say the light-weight, rear-wheel drive formula is a bucket full of fun. It’s certainly not the quickest car I’ve owned, but I really enjoy driving it – and it keeps me involved in motorsport which I absolutely love.

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? Another one of those cliché motoring journo questions… and another that’s so hard to answer. I think choosing a car that not only suits your personality, but also how you intend on using it, is of vital importance. That said, if ‘significant’ coin were to come my way, I think you’d find me at the Porsche dealership as quickly as I could get there. A 911 GT2 RS would make a pretty good track toy, don’t you think?

Cricky, Jimmy, Sammy, Marty and Kenny G (From left, and all nicknames must end in Y)

Sam Charlwood – News Editor

Young gun Sam Charlwood began his career as a motoring journalist in 2013, following a lifetime fascination for cars that started in his early childhood. Today, he remains dead keen on “anything with a wheel or a motor”.

What do you like most about ABDC? ABDC offers one of those rare occasions where you get assemble the very best and latest sports cars in one location, on great roads. In a nutshell, it’s one of the big reasons you get into motoring journalism – the stuff of childhood dreams.

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? Withstanding all the thrills of motoring journalism, your first solo drive as a P-plater is pretty hard to beat. As a country kid that grew up in the bush, it was one of the most liberating moments I can remember. Ditto getting my motorcycle and truck licences.

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? I’d one day like something German (Porsche) and something Italian (Ducati) in my own garage. Something to work towards…

How long have you been writing about cars? I’ve been writing about cars for the past five-and-a-half years, but was an enthusiast of two wheels and four wheels long before that. Professionally, I covered news and sport in both television and print media before I got into the automotive beat.

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? That would have to be the extremely rare, limited build Porsche 911 R. I was gifted a 24-hour window with one out of Porsche’s factory in Stuttgart, Germany, not long after its launch in 2015. Where do you take the automotive equivalent of pared-back purity? The source of the Rhine River in Switzerland, of course. It was pinch yourself stuff!

What was your first car? A 1994 Toyota HiAce van, motocross spec, with 17-inch wheels, cut suspension and a big sound system. The HiAce Hilton, or BadAce, as it was affectionately known.

What is your current car? A 1995 Holden Commodore V8 utility. In white with a five-speed manual and LSD – it’s a great little toy.

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? The Porsche 911 R. I’d happily own one even if the regular driving roads didn’t comprise high-speed German autobahn and ribbons of bitumen dissecting the Swiss Alps.

ABDC 2018

>> 3rd - Lexus LC 500

>> Remember when - Looking back on ABDC

>> 5th - BMW M5

>> Hot laps - Track testing

>> 6th - Hyundai i30 N

>> 8th - Subaru BRZ tS

>> Questions and answers - ABDC: The FAQs

>> A fang at Wang' - Acceleration Testing

>> Judge and jury - Meet the crew

>> Follow the return of Australia's Best Driver's Car

Greg Crick – Two-time Targa Tasmania Winner

Greg is a folk hero as a race-car driver in his home state of Tasmania and has been a part of the ABDC judging team since its inception in 2015. His comments are short, sharp and to the point!

What do you like most about ABDC? The cars, the choice of roads, and the people. It’s a great team.

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? Still being alive!

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? Doing ABDC until I'm at least 80, if Matty B will have me!

How long have you been writing about cars? Since I was five-years old without making much sense!

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? Sauber Mercedes C9.

What was your first car? An XK Falcon. Christ, I’m old.

What is your current car? A Chevy Silverado 2500

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? A Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe. No question!

Chris Fincham – RV Editor

Among many other things, Chris is involved in the down-to-earth, “real” world of motoring, looking after the RV world at caravancampingsales.com.au. With a wealth of experience behind him as a motoring writer, his insights are invaluable.

What do you like most about ABDC? The chance to drive an exciting, eclectic mix of performance cars, back-to-back on great driving roads. Then discussing the results with fellow enthusiasts. It’s pretty obvious this team loves their cars.

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? A toss-up between driving the Canning Stock Route in a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen and punting road cars over closed stages at Targa Tasmania. I’ve also really enjoyed putting together one of the biggest-selling motoring mags at the time, Unique Cars, for a number of years

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? Doing the Big Lap of Australia in a Tesla Model X towing a nice caravan; it sounds like a great challenge.

How long have you been writing about cars? Almost two decades – from classic cars to tow vehicles, and everything in between.

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? There’s been a few… the one that scared me most was a supercharged Ford Mustang Super Snake with 500 plus kilowatts. Was spinning tyres all down the road! Hard to beat a drive of a Monster truck though – gave new meaning to the term off-roader.

What was your first car? A 1980s Mazda 626 sedan. I loved it so much I had it re-sprayed.

What is your current car? A generation-old Nissan X-TRAIL family truckster.

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? Being sensible, I’d get a Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series for off-road trips and towing, and a new Ford Mustang GT for fun. Gotta love those V8s! Not being sensible, a RAM 2500 and big block 1969 Chev Camaro.

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/abdc_ken-gratton.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-245465" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/abdc_ken-gratton.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>
Ken Gratton – Technical Editor

Ken Gratton beavers away as technical editor for motoring.com.au, sampling a huge variety of road test cars that earns him the title of Mr. Prolific. What better qualification as a respected judge for ABDC 2018.

What do you like most about ABDC? A comfort zone is a great device for benchmarking cars you're reviewing, but it's good to be taken out of the comfort zone once in a while. ABDC does that for me.

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? Being paid to write about cars for 11 years!

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? Another 11 years writing professionally about cars?

How long have you been writing about cars? Since I was three.

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? The ex-father-in-law's HQ Premier, with 'cadaver' steering – heavy AND lifeless – plus zero front-end grip in the wet.

What was your first car? A Ford Escort RS2000.

What is your current car? A decrepit Subaru Impreza that will be handed down to one of the teenagers in the family.

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? A Ford Falcon RTV with an engine from an XR6 Turbo or FPV F6.

Paul Gover – Senior Contributing Journalist

Paul Gover, with experience as a motoring writer dating back to the 1970s, humbly accedes to his rating by many as today’s automotive guru. A formidable driver and a sharp investigative journalist, his first-time appearance at ABDC is hopefully the first of many.

What do you like most about ABDC? The cars. Every single one is good to drive, and a challenge to drive well.

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? Helping to mentor youngsters coming into motoring journalism.

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? To drive Allan Moffat’s Coca-Cola Mustang.

How long have you been writing about cars? More than 40 years. I started by covering motorsport when I was a cadet journalist, then moved into road testing and car news.

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? There are so many, including Bugatti Veyron and a Supercar at Bathurst, but forced for one I’d say the paddock basher that I learned to drive in – an FB Holden.

What was your first car? A 1959 Volkswagen Beetle. And last year I bought a ‘67 bug and all the sensations are the same.

What is your current car? Apart from the Bug, I have a 2003 Toyota HiLux and a 2017 Vespa GTS 300; all of them were chosen because they are ‘fit for purpose’.

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? A scary-fast Porsche 911. A GT2. Being a bit more practical, a Mercedes-AMG E63 wagon.

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/abdc_group_17-pqox.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-242998" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/abdc_group_17-pqox.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>
Bruce Newton – Senior Contributing Journalist

Bruce Newton cut his teeth on motorcycles and motorsport, transitioning to cars more than 30 years ago. His acute sense as a news writer, combined with a passion for just about anything he becomes involved in, makes a big contribution to the ABDC

What do you like most about ABDC? It has stripped the judging of a car to its elemental basis. You have to have an opinion not just rely on the specs list.

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? Qualifying on the front row for the C-D grade 250 Production 2-Hour at Oran Park in 1988. Mick Doohan’s brother Scott was on pole.

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? To do a Grey Nomad lap of Australia.

How long have you been writing about cars? Since the early 1980s

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? Hard to pick one – there’s a few Porches, McLarens and Ferraris in there. But driving the HSV GTSR W1 was special.

What was your first car? Holden HJ Ute.

What is your current car? Mazda CX-3, 2 x Mazda2s and a VW Golf Mk IV

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? Porsche 911 Carrera 7-spd manual, Ford Ranger Raptor, HSV GTSR W1, Land Rover Discovery (or more likely Toyota Prado when I consider dealer support, resale and reliability)

Marton Pettendy – Managing Editor

Marton has a background that suits his role as a motoring writer better than most. Today he’s chief of staff at motoring.com.au and brings a wise head that keeps the more unruly elements at ABDC on track.

What do you like most about ABDC? Getting away from the keyboard and out on some of Australia’s best roads to see first-hand how much the latest crop of performance cars improves every year.

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? 1991 Stars of Tomorrow 250cc Production Champion.

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? Afford a bigger tractor to slash my paddock quicker.

How long have you been writing about cars? 22 years. 29 including motorcycles.

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? A 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS at Albert Park.

What was your first car? An LC Torana two-door with a 138 engine and three-on-the-tree and, later, 161 and four-on-the-floor.

What is your current car? A 2017 Holden VFII Ute SS manual. Love it.

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? Armoured Mercedes-Benz Unimog 4x4 pick-up.

Glenn Ridge – TV personality, racer, all-round nice guy

Glenn Ridge is a TV personality, radio presenter and a motorsport fan who has paid his dues by participating in many motorsport events, including Targa Tasmania. His insights and experience bring a valuable wealth of knowledge to ABDC.

What do you like most about ABDC? Apart from the camaraderie and good food? The ability to drive a wide and diverse range of cars on the road over a short period of time. Although price may influence the overall driving experience for some, it doesn’t mean you'll necessarily have more fun in an expensive car than you will in a $35k car, as many of us found out.

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? Finishing top 10 in my first Australian Safari in 1992, sharing the drive in a Nissan Patrol. The Safari was an event that simply finishing gave you an enormous amount of fulfilment, and I’ve been lucky to have competed in and finish another four Safari’s in Nissan Patrols and Holden Rodeo's.

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? This year was my 26th Targa Tasmania which my son navigates for me in, and I hope to continue to compete in it for many years to come, mainly so as I don’t have to sit in the passenger seat and navigate for him!

How long have you been writing about cars? Although I’m not a regular writer on cars, I’ve certainly been an observer of the industry for many years. I produced and presented on The Nine Networks ‘The Car Show’ for seven years.

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? A mate and I rebuilt an old 1969 Chevrolet Camaro to its original condition and we entered it in a couple of Dutton Grand Prix Rallies. We had a great time in it and on one occasion I took it around the Ford Proving Grounds speed bowl and found at speed it handled a lot like an out of control boat. The excitement came when we finished an event in one piece.

What was your first car? Although I drove my mum’s car and motorbikes for many years, the first car I owned was an orange 1976 Valiant Charger 770. I loved that car and wish I still had it.

What is your current car? A current-gen Volkswagen Amarok V6 turbo diesel.

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? My old Charger! Though the chances of resurrecting that from the dead is as believable as an immaculate conception. I would love to have a 1924 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix Race Car in my shed, boy would that piss my mates off!

<a href="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/abdc_group_08-d762.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-csn-inline-image wp-image-242994" src="https://motoring.pxcrush.net/motoring/general/editorial/abdc_group_08-d762.jpg?height=427&width=640&aspect=fitWithin" alt="" width="640" height="427"></a>
Feann Torr – Staff Journalist

Feann is the enfant terrible at motoring.com.au and attends his fourth ABDC with an ever-accumulating knowledge of cars and how to drive them. Even if, in his own words, he prefers hot hatches to crazy coupes.

What do you like most about ABDC? The dizzying array of vehicles and drivers – and also the incredible roads and vistas. It’s pretty impressive to have touring car drivers on the team, along with the regular motoring riff-raff, piloting everything from high-end European machinery to entry-level Japanese sports cars. It makes for some colourful conversations over a counter meal at dinner time.

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? Driving from Brisbane to Perth in five days was quite a feat, but I reckon nabbing a third-place in the Australian Tarmac Challenge back in 2010 is pretty cool. I’ve still got the trophy!

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? Probably beating Marton at table tennis. He moves like a puma!

How long have you been writing about cars? I first started writing about cars in the 2002 for a website called Web Wombat.

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? Wow! Tough call… There’s been many, including riding shotgun in Ken Block’s Gymkhana Ford Fiesta. But I reckon the McLaren 720S is probably top of the list for. There’s few cars that I can honestly say have felt “too fast,” and that’s one of them. It’s a potent machine.

What was your first car? My first car was a 1979 Ford Falcon XC. Custom paint job, 245 wheels, bass drivers under the front seats. It eventually dropped a cylinder and I couldn’t afford to fix it… Still drove alright on five-pots though!

What is your current car? Do motorcycles and jet skis count? If not I’m between vehicles, but I feel as though a Honda S2000 could be in my future.

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? I’ve driven quite a few Porsche 911 models over the years and I’d love to own one eventually. I doubt it will happen on a meagre staff writer’s salary but hopefully I’ll meet a kindly benefactor one day!

James Whitbourn – Contributing Journalist

James Whitbourn is a former mechanical design engineer in the car industry, and comes to ABDC with a background as a former road test editor for Wheels magazine and today writes for a host of websites and magazines including Wheels, Money Magazine and WhichCar.

What do you like most about ABDC? Making the most of driver’s cars while cars still need drivers… and not paying the fuel bill!

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? Successfully playing with cars for a living.

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? Keeping on doing the above – for as long as possible!

How long have you been writing about cars? Twelve years as a career; much longer as a car guy.

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? It’s tough to choose just one. Exciting for its abilities: a tie between the Ferrari F12 and 458 and the Porsche 997 911 GT3 RS. Exciting for what it represents: Mazda RX-8 SP prototype, Touring Car Masters HQ GTS Monaro and Subaru 22B.

What was your first car? A 1979 Series 1 Mazda RX-7.

What is your current car? A 1979 Series 1 Mazda RX-7, a 1997 Subaru WRX and 2004 MazdaRX-8.

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? I’m happy with old, cheap cars. But if I had to spend money on a car it’d be something old and appreciating … an E30 BMW M3 Sport Evolution III, Subaru 22B or a Holden VL Group A SS Commodore – the burgundy one rather than the Walky.


Kent Youlden – Former racer, current steerer, tireless helper

Kent Youlden’s motor racing career dates back for more than 40 years and his achievements include winning two consecutive Production Car Championships in 1990 and 1991. In short, Kent knows how to steer a car. He also happens to be the father of Luke Youlden.

What do you like most about ABDC? It allows for genuine comparison of cars over a large range – and great roads.

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? Winning my two back to back Production car championships.

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? It happened last year when my son Luke won the Bathurst 1000!

How long have you been writing about cars? Off and on around 30 years.

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? A Ferrari 488. Wow.

What was your first car? A 1959 FC Holden.

What is your current car? A 2008 Focus manual diesel.

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? A Porsche GP2.

Luke Youlden has come far from a 1972 Ford Escort to win Bathurst to ABDC
Luke Youlden – Bathurst winner, V8 Supercar racer, handy steerer

Luke Youlden is the go-to guy for full insights into how ABDC cars behave at their very limits. He began his career as a professional racing driver in 1999 and has since scored wins and pole positions in every full-time category he's driven in – including the Bathurst 1000 which he won co-driving with David Reynolds in 2017.

What do you like most about ABDC? The opportunity to push the limits of some really cool machinery on some awesome roads in the company of great individuals and like-minded colleagues.

What is your proudest motoring-related achievement? Winning the 2017 Bathurst 1000.

What’s your biggest motoring-related ambition? To keep getting paid to race and drive cars until they throw me in a box.

How long have you been writing about cars? Since 2014 after meeting Mike Sinclair at the Bathurst 12 Hour.

What’s the most exciting car you’ve driven? A 750 horsepower Tranzam/Sports Sedan Mustang.

What was your first car? A 2.0-litre 1972 Ford Escort

What is your current car? A 2010 Ford Falcon XR50 Turbo

What car would you buy if you had significant cash to splash? A Porsche GT2 RS.


And a massive shout out to the behind the scenes team... Randy, Johnny, Rene, Andy, Ryo, DJ and Dan

Share this article
Written byTim Britten
See all articles
Our team of independent expert car reviewers and journalistsMeet the team
Stay up to dateBecome a carsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.

If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
Download the carsales app
    AppStoreDownloadGooglePlayDownload
    App Store and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
    © CAR Group Ltd 1999-2024
    In the spirit of reconciliation we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.