Duane Rodgers
Born - Auckland, New Zealand (Australian Citizen)
I Live in Armadale, Victoria and have been involved in the Automotive industry for over 20 years. As a IT Professional specialising in Dealer Management Software, I ran a successful software company providing software and IT Solutions to many New Car Dealerships in Victoria since the late 80’s. More recently I have been involved in the merging of 4 companies to form PelicanCorp, which specialises in solutions for the protection of underground assets.
Being involved in motorsport since the age of 17, purchasing the 1985 Porsche Carrera started a journey with the Porsche marquee that has seen 7 years of successful club and tarmac rallying.
I commenced a relationship with “Dial before you dig†in 2000 when Porsche Cars Australia ran a tour with 200 Porsche’s tracing the Classic Adelaide event. Over a one-week period a navigation and competition events were held in South Australia with the “Dial Before You Dig†Porsche winning class and finishing 5th outright.
In 2000 Porsche Centre Melbourne decided to enter a number of teams in the long standing Winton 6 hour event at Winton Raceway near Benella. In 2001 I joined the team in a management role, and was responsible for developing a strategy for the running of the Porsche teams in this event. In 2003, 2004 and 2005 I continued in the strategist role, but also entered and drove my Carrera. We have since won the event 3 years in a row in the “Dial before you dig†car.
In 2003 I entered Targa Tasmania as a navigator to Michael Browning (long time motoring journalist) in a Red 1985 Carrera sporting the DBYD sponsorship.
Michael browning has feature the DBYD car in numerous articles continually keeping the car in magazines like Porsche Christophorus (International publication), Unique Cars, Torque and the PCV Club Magazine.
I returned in 2005 to contend my first Targa as a driver, teaming up with Paul Girt (Parts Manager – Porsche Centre Melbourne) to contest Category 7S for Standard Cars in the 1980 to 1990 year range.
Paul and I not only finished this event, but continued to achieve a class and category win finishing second overall in the division against modified vehicles out of their class. 2006 and 2007 saw a repeat of the 2005 year with a Class and Category win. In 2007 we received our Gold Tophies.
In 2006 I teamed up with Tim Probert and successfully attempted the Mt Buller Sprint in February. We one Class. Both of the DBYD cars were visible in processions up the mountain during the transport stages.
I have not only been actively involved with club racing under the DBYD banner, but have performed as a Team Manager role, linking DBYD successfully to Rex Broadbent for 4 consecutive Classic Adelaide outright wins under DBYD the banner. This yellow RSR has been extremely dominant in the Adelaide event, and has won the last 5 years in a row.
I have competed in the Porsche Club of Victoria for a number of years, and have experienced success on the podium within the club championship most years. I have been involved as the Competition Director over the past 3 years, and in 2006 commenced a new role in the member club as the Director of Driver Training.
Having been extensively involved as a consultant/Advisor to the DBYD industry, I have recently taken this successful Australian formula to New Zealand. Where BeforeUdig NZ has been formed to provide the equivalent services for the New Zealand Utility industry.
This in depth knowledge of the DBYD industry and a thorough understanding of the service has provide a unique opportunity for me to become an ambassador and deliver the DBYD message to enthusiasts in the automotive motorsport fraternity.