Auto Enthusiast of the Month – January 2019
We’re back with another installment to our Auto Enthusiast of the Month series. This part of the blog showcases some of the online writers (who happen to love cars) we look up to. They are absolute gearheads and are the best sources about all things auto. Know someone who fits the bill? Let us know and we might just interview him or her!
For this month, our featured Auto Enthusiast is none other than Darren O’Hara of DriveDetailed. Headquartered in Ireland, DriveDetailed is a personal auto blog that anyone who loves to read reviews about all things car detailing would surely enjoy. He showcases fantastic tutorials, product reviews, and general auto care. He goes into detail (for lack of a better word) when it comes to detailing, too, giving us great posts on car drying, sealants, polishing, tire care, and much other essential information. And because it’s only fitting to spotlight the work of someone who provides helpful information to every other auto enthusiast out there, we give you this interview with the man behind the blog, Darren O’Hara:
Tell us a bit about yourself and how you started.
My Name is Darren O’Hara, a 30-year old auto and detailing enthusiast currently living in rainy Ireland. I have always shown interest in cars since I was a young age and took a keen interest in the detailing side of things. I have recently started a blog around this hobby although I am by no means a professional detailer; I do it for my own enjoyment. DriveDetailed is an automotive detailing blog which aims to bring you all things detailing-related. It was inspired by my own quest for knowledge when I was first learning about how to maintain my own car correctly.
A lot of the posts in the blog feature questions I had myself when I was young and starting out. If I had known the answers back then, it would have saved me a lot of time, money and mistakes! I am also a bit obsessed with trying out new detailing products available so I like to review them on the blog and see how they perform on my own or friends’ cars.
If you could pick one unique automotive, which would be your favorite and why?
As cliché as it sounds, it would be my own car! About two months ago I bought an Audi TTRS, which is a car I have lusted after since it was released. Inspired by the 1984 Audi Sport Quattro (Audi used five-cylinder engines with great success in rally racing back in the 1980s ), it features a 2.5-litre TFSI engine which packs quite a punch at 335bhp. This results in quite a hilarious performance in such a small car. My car was spec’d with the Audi S-Tronic gearbox so it makes for a little pocket rocket and I have achieved low 4-second 0-60mph times, which is massively helped by Audi’s Quattro 4 wheel drive system. It really is a great drive and I enjoy every minute I am in this car.
What makes DriveDetailed different from others in your field?
I would think one factor that makes my blog different from any other detailing sites is that it is 100% personal. Any post I write comes from personal experience on either my own car or someone I know personally. It is very much just a documentation of a personal journey and obsession.
What would you say that is the greatest satisfaction of being an auto enthusiast?
I think one of the greatest satisfaction comes from meeting others who are also interested and passionate about cars. Living in Ireland, which is a relatively small country that doesn’t have a huge auto enthusiast or detailing scene, it is great to see it growing over the last number of years.
There are constantly new talented detailers popping up around the country and it is great to see that the scene is growing. There is an ever-increasing number of Car Shows & Events over here, which is always positive.
What's next for you and DriveDetailed?
I have some good new content lined up for my blog, which includes me taking on a full paint correction on my Audi TTRS. Right now, the paint is a bit swirled and marred from the previous owner so I would like to get it back to looking as good as it did when it rolled out of the factory. I will be documenting the whole process and providing a guide for beginners on the blog on how to perform this sort of thing in their own car.
I have also some content planned around some cool products, one of them includes a Nano Glass Coating which I will be applying to my own car and also providing a step-by-step for those who may be new to applying these types of protective coatings to their vehicles.
That sounds exciting! We cannot wait to see how your Audi TTRS would look like after the new paint. It already performs beautifully, as per your description, but we are sure it will look extra impressive after you apply its new coat.
For those who are excited as we are about Darren’s plans, don’t forget to check out his blog at DriveDetailed. You will also want to look into following him on Instagram and YouTube for behind-the-scenes glimpses of his life and where his passion for cars come from.
If you wish to become our next auto enthusiast, let us know!