Dominic Chinea, a beloved figure from the BBC's heartwarming series The Repair Shop, has opened up about a bittersweet development in his personal life. While enthusiastically documenting his relocation from Kent to Cornwall on his popular YouTube channel, Chinea has revealed one significant regret amidst the excitement of his new surroundings.
A Workshop Upgrade and an Untimely Delay
In a recent video, Chinea showcased the successful installation of a state-of-the-art two-post vehicle lift in his Cornish workshop. This major upgrade represents the culmination of extensive renovations, including new windows, roller shutters, a secured roof, and a pristine concrete floor. "Life is going to be a lot easier," Chinea declared with evident satisfaction, praising the new lift as "beautiful."
However, his joy is tempered by immediate professional commitments. "The only issue is I’m now in Chichester where it’s starting to film Repair Shop tomorrow," he explained. "I do kind of wish I was there able to use that new lift, but that’s going to have to wait until next week." This scheduling conflict leaves the craftsman eager but unable to immediately dive into new projects in his revitalised workspace.
Embracing Cornish Adventures: A Drifting Debut
The workshop is not the sole focus of Chinea's new chapter in Cornwall. Alongside his wife Maria and their dog Wendy, he is fully embracing the local lifestyle and seeking novel experiences. This spirit of adventure recently led him to the world of drifting, a dynamic motorsport where drivers maintain controlled, prolonged slides.
For the latest episode of his series, Dom Chinea’s Cornish Workshop, he collaborated with engineer Sam Lovegrove to build a drift car from a Mazda MX5. "I've moved down here, moved down to Cornwall, willing to try new things," Chinea stated. "Drifting is something I have never done, never tried, and no experience in. But I would actually quite like to give it a go."
The inaugural drifting attempt, however, did not proceed smoothly. With Lovegrove at the wheel, the custom-built car veered off the circuit and collided with a barrier. "That didn't go so well!" Lovegrove exclaimed upon exiting the vehicle. A bemused Chinea responded, "Seriously? I didn't even get a go. Are you kidding me? After all that work?"
Despite the mishap, Chinea maintained his characteristic optimism. "Well, we wanted our car to make an impact," he quipped. "We started this crazy adventure in the hope we'd meet like-minded petrolheads. I'd say this was mission accomplished." This episode underscores his commitment to exploring new passions and connecting with the local community in his adopted home of Cornwall.
