October 2021

18 AFTERMARKET OCTOBER 2021 TOP TECHNICIAN AND TOP GARAGE www.toptechnicianonline.co.uk TOP TECHNICIAN 2021 SEMI FINAL After a very long wait, Top Technician 2021 reached the semi-final stage in September F ollowing an unprecedented gap since the last instalment resulting from the pandemic, Top Technician 2021 finally reached the semi-final in September. The cohort of contestants in place since 2020 were joined by the additional group that qualified via the 2021 competition. The live event was held at In Town Automotive in Northampton, the garage behind TechMan. The group included a mix of familiar faces from previous competitions, as well as mechanics who were competing in a Top Tech semi for the first time. While the skies were grey outside, spirits were high within the workshop, as they gathered to see what was in store for them through the day. Over a period of two years, they had all passed through the online rounds where knowledge was the key. Today they had the opportunity to show their real-world skills in action. It had been some time since a Top Tech semi had been held, and lead judge Ian Gillgrass saw the new decade as an opportunity to shake things up: “It is rapid-fire in the morning. These tasks will enable us to take it down to eight contestants in the afternoon.”For the morning, the judges had set up a mix of electrical, electronic and mechanical challenges, including in-car faults as well as bench-based tasks including a high- voltage battery assembly and a wiper motor conundrum. If that’s not enough, there was also an online quiz, just in case those taking part had not yet had enough of those. Contestants In the moments before the rounds began, the contestants shared how they felt about making it to the semi- final. Richard Lovatt from AA Silencers, who was in the live rounds for the first time said: “I’m further along than where I have been, and I am further along than I thought I was going to get, so this is already a win for me. I haven’t a clue what to expect, but I‘m not concerned.” Multiple finalist Jerry Carroll simply observed: “I’m glad to be back.” Andrew West from Erme Valley Autos expressed the trepidation that many feel about the challenge: “I started this year thinking I might drop out, but I kept getting further and further in, and then I got the email saying I had made it to the semi-final, and here I am.” 2019 runner-up Declan Robinson observed: “Hopefully I am lucky this time – I had luck on my side last time.” There were two contestants from the same garage too this year. Worthing-based Cedar Garage, Top Garage winner from both 2018 and 2019, sent techs Adam Cannel and Rob Albon. Adam observed: “I’m very nervous at the minute,” and Rob added: “I’m no different to him.” Ian’s introductory talk was short and sweet: “This morning there are 13 10- minute tasks. No time for thinking. You will be straight into it.” Waiting for them were the judges, including James Dillon, 2013 TT winner Steve Scott, Glenn Cutter, JLR’s Rob Lewis, and 2017 TT winner Karl Weaver. Sponsored by: