October 2021

OCTOBER 2021 AFTERMARKET 19 www.aftermarketonline.net Knowledge Top Technician means you have shown real ability, as well as depth of knowledge. “Tappets!” exclaimed Sam. I haven’t done that since I was at uni!” Rob replied: “There’s some stuff I haven’t done in a lifetime.” On the commitment front, Richard observed: “I could be at the seaside, or I could be on my bike. Why am I doing this?” Matthew Pestridge from D&D Autos in Ashford added: “It’s different from when I last did it. Doing it in 10 minutes, if you have nerves, it will test you.” Jerry added: “You think you have five minutes left, and then you realise it’s only one minute to go!” Kelvin Tuttle summed up the tension by asking: “Why do we do it?” Because they love it, that’s why. Brain-scrambling At the halfway stage in the day, in what was one of the new developments, a number of the competitors found themselves going home. “Just by getting here,” Ian told them, “you have already achieved a lot. You should hold you head up high when you go home.” Moving into the afternoon, with eight competitors left, we asked some of them how they were finding the whole experience. Andrew said: “It’s been different this year. The time was hard and some of the tasks were brain-scrambling. It’s all good though, and it is good to meet the people and compete.” In the afternoon, the six tasks went back to the more familiar 20-minute timescale seen in previous years. A BMW 325, a VW GTE, a Skoda Superb and a pair of Toyota Aygo models were set up with a number of problems and faults. Jerry said: “It's nice to be back. Although the 20- minute tasks are more familiar, I think I actually prefer the 10-minute tasks, it’s more intense.” Sam added: “Even with 20 minutes, it felt like the same amount of time. It’s a good laugh though. I thoroughly recommend anyone to do it.” Stimulating Commenting on their hosting of the semi-final, TechMan’s Leo Freebairn “We are hugely proud to be involved and helping support mechanics competing to be Top Technician. It’s so nice to see everyone doing what they are trying to do. It is interesting to see how tense it all is.” Asked if he could sum up the mood in a word, Leo offered: “Stimulating!” Summing up at the end, the judges had their say. Glenn Cutter observed: “We think every year about how we put together these tasks, and we look to make them realistic and achievable. It is the range of activities we have put together that show the difference between what people think they know, and what they actually know.” Rob Lewis said: “It has been a very mixed day but everyone has worked really hard and put a lot of effort in. I am looking forward to the final and I think it is going to be close.” Steve Smith was very enthusiastic: “It has been brilliant, and I even learned something myself, which I do every year I am part of it. The standard, level and quality of the work today has been so good.” Karl Weaver said: “I just love being part of it. It is nice to mix with like-minded people, and the work they put in has been great.” James Dillon observed: “There were some really good performances, showing great diagnostic skill and use of logic. There has been tough competition, particularly in the second stage of the day.” In conclusion, Ian Gillgrass said: “It’s been a good day, and an enjoyable day, with great hospitality from TechMan in a great venue. Everyone has enjoyed themselves, and everyone has learned something. Roll on the final.” The finalists The finalists for Top Technician 2021, who will be coming back to In Town Automotive on Saturday 9 October are: Adam Cannell, Cedar Garage, Sam Gibbons, Eden Vauxhall, Simon Parkinson, WDMDL Electrotech Kevin Toms, FRL Autoservices Andrew West, Erme Valley Autos Not everyone can go through, so special thanks go to the rest of the semi-finalists, who all put in a great showing. Top Technician Live The winners of Top Technician and Top Garage will be announced at the Top Technician/Top Garage Awards Evening, taking place straight after the final at the Jurys Inn Hotel Milton Keynes on Saturday 9 October. As Aftermarket’s October issue went to press, the event was almost fully booked, with all full tables sold, but a few individual seats are still available. To book tickets call 01732 370340 and ask for Emma, or email toptech.topgarage@aftermarket.co.uk Don’t forget to visit www.aftermarketonline.net to keep up with news from the competition and the industry in general. Top Technician and Top Garage are sponsored by Snap-on, VARTA, TechMan, Motul, Philips and LKQ Euro Car Parts, and come to you in association with ABC Awards, ADS, the Garage Equipment Association (GEA), the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) and the Independent Garage Association (IGA).