Mark Roy - SlashGear

Location

Bangkok

School

Edith Cowan University, Curtin University

Expertise

Automotive history, Wrenching, car accessory fitting

Mark wrote a feature for the Phnom Penh Post on Cambodia's burgeoning motorcycle culture with photographs from an enthusiasts' meet at an abandoned, two-mile-long concrete airstrip built by the Chinese during the Khmer Rouge era where local bikers clocked 190mph on Yamaha R1s.
He had the pleasure of covering the thrills, spills, dust, and tears of Australia's toughest desert race, the iconic 500km (310 miles) Gascoyne Dash, in his first posting as a regional newspaper editor.
A motoring enthusiast since the muscle car days of the 1970s Bathurst 500, Mark learned to drive in high school, where his rally-driving sports teacher taught him how to perform 180º handbrake turns on wet asphalt.

Experience

Mark is an experienced automotive accessory fitter, installing factory parts and compliance certification (door jamb) labels for newly imported models from Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, and more. He was a vehicle inspector for Western Australia's largest secondhand car wholesaler, recommending reconditioning work on jalopies ranging from pit-worn mining trucks to luxury Lamborghinis. A photographer and journalist with printer's ink in his veins, Mark used his skills to work his way across a range of newspaper mastheads from Australia's remote outback to Southeast Asia and beyond, working as a journalist and editor for the NT News, Northern Guardian, Albany Advertiser, Southeast Asia Globe, ASEAN News Today, Phnom Penh Post, Torres News, and such far-flung journals as the Arafura Times and the West Arnhem Wire. He loves travel, photography, motorcycling, slow food, and fast cars.

Education

Mark followed up his Bachelor of Arts in photo media from Edith Cowan University with a postgraduate diploma in journalism from Curtin University.

SlashGear Editorial Policies

SlashGear's content hails from a group of experienced technology and automotive editors and a wide-ranging team of writers, engineers, enthusiasts, and experts across consumer tech and transportation. Our goal is to provide up-to-the-minute breaking news coverage as well as original and engaging opinion and editorial content that serves as the ultimate resource for those who want to stay up to date on the latest and greatest the industry has to offer.

Our editors, advisors, and fact-checkers conduct regular reviews to ensure the accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of our articles. Complete information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Mark Roy

Cars By Mark Roy

The Honda Engine That Survived 7 Generations And Over 1 Million Miles

Honda is well-known for making reliable and dependable cars. One of the company's engines survived well over a million miles. Which engine took the honors?
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Motorcycles By Mark Roy

Why Two-Stroke Engines Need Oil (Even Though They Don't Need Oil Changes)

Every internal combustion engine needs oil for lubrication, but two-stroke engines take their oil regularly along with gasoline.
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Motorcycles By Mark Roy

Yamaha Bolt Vs. Indian Scout: Which Is Quicker?

If you're after a cruiser motorcycle, two fantastic options are the Yamaha Bolt and the Indian Scout. Which one of these cruisers is faster?
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Hand Tools By Mark Roy

Understanding Your Torque Wrench: How Does It Work And How Do You Use The Tool?

A torque wrench is an essential part of any DIY auto mechanic's tool kit. How do torque wrenches work, and how do you use one properly?
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Motorcycles By Mark Roy

What Is A Shaft Drive Motorcycle And Why Aren't They More Popular?

There are many different ways that motorcycles deliver power to the wheel, like the more common chain drives and belt drives. What about the shaft drive?
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Cars By Mark Roy

What OEM Stands For And What It Means For Your Car

OEM parts are produced bt the original equipment manufacturer, but these letters don't always indicate the quality of the spare part in question.
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Cars By Mark Roy

Here's How You Can Easily Adjust Your Electric Trailer Brakes

Having working brakes on your electric trailer is essential to using it safely on the road. Here's how to easily adjust the brakes if you ever need to.
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Cars By Mark Roy

Can A Car Engine Work Underwater? Here's What Happens When One Is Fully Submerged

Car engines work by igniting and burning a mixture of fuel and air, with various methods. So, what happens when you completely submerge a car engine in water?
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Cars By Mark Roy

What Is In Store Bought Windshield Wiper Fluid? (And Is It Safe?)

You almost certainly have a bottle of windshield washer fluid somewhere around the house, but do you need to be concerned if someone accidentally drinks it?
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Technology By Mark Roy

Why Do Airplanes Need To Be Pushed Back By Tugs Before Takeoff?

Airplanes can do many things, notably getting people to their destination very quickly. Still, the mind boggles, why do tugs need to tow airplanes?
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Trucks By Mark Roy

Is The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Trim Worth It? Here's What Owners Have To Say

The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is the most expensive in the 'Taco' lineup, but is it worth it's high sticker price? Here's what owners have to say.
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Cars By Mark Roy

Why Do Auto Brands Camouflage Unreleased Cars?

If you have ever been lucky enough to see a prototype car in the wild, it was probably covered in a weird looking wrap. Here's why automakers do that.
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Cars By Mark Roy

Why Do New Cars Have Mileage? (And How Much Is Too Much?)

A new car fresh from the lot may look and smell pristine, but there are almost always a few miles on the odometer. Where do they come from and what's too much?
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Cars By Mark Roy

Here's What That Plastic Strip Under Your Front Bumper Is Really For

Ever noticed the plastic strip underneath your front bumper? You may think it's to protect from scraping against curbs, but it's actually much more important.
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Cars By Mark Roy

Gasoline Vs. Diesel Engines: Which Pollutes More? It's Complicated

Between the two main engine types seen in automobiles around the world, there is a somewhat complicated gap in pollution between diesel and gas engines.
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Cars By Mark Roy

Can You Use A Sealant To Help Your Car's Suspension Last Longer?

Adding a rubber sealant to things like CV boots can help preserve suspension parts in the long run, but they should only be used as a preventative measure.
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Car Accessories By Mark Roy

Is Rain-X Bad For Your Car's Windshield? Here's What You Need To Know

Many drivers opt for Rain-X to help deal with rainy days and maintaining visibility, but some have claimed it can be damaging to your windshield long-term.
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Car Accessories By Mark Roy

How To Grease Your Trailer Wheel Bearings The Correct Way

Greasing your trailer's wheel bearings goes a long way to maintain the longevity of your hauling equipment, so here is what you need to do it at home.
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Cars By Mark Roy

Why You Might Need To Drain Your Car Doors (And How To Do It)

Your car door helps as best as it can to keep the elements out while you're driving, but that occasionally means rain and moisture can get inside the door.
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