The Simply Sports Cars Team

We aren’t content with just saying ‘we are a car dealership like no other’, the expertise we have within our team demonstrates that promise with a mix of race engineers and ex-motorsport team crew running our dealerships.

A car dealership that's like being part of a race car team

You will never get to meet most of the staff in other car dealerships, it is a different experience where you walk in and talk to admin or customer service staff & your relationship ends there. 

At Simply Sports Cars you become part of the family where everyone knows each other by first name & you get to engage with our team regularly at track days, tarmac rallies or other driving events.

Lee from Simply Sports Cars Dealership in Australia

LEE KNAPPETT

Director

After completing a degree in Automotive engineering, Lee started his career on home turf in the UK with the illustrious Roush engineering. Working on several of their racing development programs as well as military contracts whilst repairing and racing Lotus cars in his spare time, Lee gained valuable industry experience before relocating to Australia. He then founded Simply Sports Cars and the rest is history.

Richard from Simply Sports Cars Dealership in Australia

RICHARD GIBBS

Director Sales & Strategy

Richard brings to the team over 20 years of sales & senior level management experience. Holding senior roles in sales, customer management, director and chief operating officer he not only brings to the team a wealth of experience but owns a Lotus as a daily driver.

Mark from Simply Sports Cars Dealership in Australia

MARK O'CONNOR​

Motorsport Manager​

Much like a dentist, Mark doesn’t really like to show his face as typically it is behind a helmet and on a race track. Google Mark O’Conner Lotus and you will discover years of video and photo footage of Mark’s exploits on a race track hustling Lotus sports cars around circuits like Mount Panorama Bathurst, Sydney Motorsport Park Eastern Creek and other places.

If you are a driving enthusiast that has a desire to try your hand on the race track then buying a sports car from our Melbourne Dealership gives you a ticket to the wealth of experience and knowledge that Mark has.

Anthony Musson from Simply Sports Cars Australia

ANTHONY MUSSON

Brand Manager

Anthony has nearly 20 years of automotive industry experience working with leading brands such as Honda, Renault, Peugeot, Nissan and others. A lover of a strong coffee to kick off his day, Anthony has a passion for cars and working with people. He has enjoyed many years of motorsport at club level through karting and track/supersprint events.

In 2019 he even spent time at the Lotus Driving Academy in Hethel to hone his skills.

Anthony is responsible for Lotus Brand Sales and Marketing in Victoria & Tasmania while also being a valuable contributor to our senior management strategies. To get a great deal, turn up early morning with a strong espresso.​

Derrick Lao

DERRICK LAO

Sales and Operations Specialist

Derrick has spent nearly ten years working in various customer facing roles in a variety of industries and now has settled in a career within the automotive sector.

His most recent role was working with Tesla and he enjoys building relationships with his clients with great empathy & enthusiasm.​

He has always had a keen interest in modifying vehicles and going for an early Sunday drive with other enthusiasts. Outside of work his interest include Oz-tag and Muay Thai.

Richie from Simply Sports Cars Dealership in Australia

RICHIE KEARNEY

Lead Mechanic

Richie’s experience as a Race mechanic could rival almost anyone. Originally from the UK rich travelled the world working as a #1 for teams in A1GP, Formula Nippon, Formula Holden & V8 Supercars to name a few. Now calling Sydney home his eye for detail is still second to none & he won’t stop until the job is race ready.
Harley from Simply Sports Cars Dealership in Australia

HARLEY BOSKOVIC

Engineer

Young, passionate and able to articulately describe nearly every part and function on a sports car. Harley is one of our Engineers who has helped develop a lot of the SSC parts and upgrades being used on cars around the Country.
Alexander

ALEXANDER GELLINGS

Mechanic

Alex has spent many years working on and underneath cars. Some say he cleans his fingernails in the mornings with lubricant just so he is better prepared for getting his hands on the first car in the morning.

Efe

EFE ATIK

Apprentice Mechanic

Efe is relatively new to the team and is another member of our Apprentice crew. He is enjoying his first automotive industry job role & has been picking things up really quickly with guidance from Richie and the rest of the team.
PJ from Simply Sports Cars Dealership in Australia

PJ SINGERLAND

Parts, logistics & resources manager

Possibly the most enthusiastic Lotus owner around, PJ shipped himself and his Elise (an orange one, unsurprisingly) over from Amsterdam to Australia in 2004. Initially one of the first SSC customers, PJ made the leap while SSC was expanding and reinforced the team to manage our events, marketing, on-line presence and our ever more substantial inventory in the parts room.

IAN AUCHINACHIE

Spare parts

Ian has been around the business from the very beginning and he defies the thought of ‘is an Elise hard to get into’ as he easily slides into his Series 2 with his 6 foot tall frame. Ian gives PJ a hand managing our parts inventory.
Gemma from Simply Sports Cars Dealership in Australia

GEMMA GIBSON

Accounts Manager

The rose amongst the thorns, Gemma keeps us all in line and keeps the accounts up to date. Just make sure you don’t owe us money and you’ll get along perfectly fine. Don’t be fooled by her friendly smile though, you’ll find Gemma at the track in her Lotus Elise S & once the helmet goes on it is serious competitor time.