Aftermarket December/January 2023

Above: Top Technician 2022 winner Andrew West 18 AFTERMARKET DECEMBER/JANUARY 2023 TOP TECHNICIAN AND TOP GARAGE 2023 www.toptechnicianonline.co.uk READY! STEADY! GO! Over the next few weeks, both Top Technician and Top Garage 2023 will be opening T op Technician and Top Garage 2022 were both massive hits with techs and garages, and 2023 is looking like it will be even bigger. Let’s look back at last year’s blockbuster run for a moment. Thousands of individual mechanics signed up for Top Technician 2022, with that number being whittled down to 10 for the semi-final, then five for the final, at which point a winner in the form of Andrew West was identified, with John Hall as runner-up. With the competition beginning again this month, one of you reading this will become 2023’s champion. Quite literally, it could be you. Meanwhile, over in Top Garage, hundreds of businesses will soon be putting themselves forward to see if they will be identified as the best of their size in the country. Last year, following the online rounds, the businesses found themselves facing the judges at the final, with six being named as Top Garage, and there was also the Service Advisor of the Year too. All of this culminated with the Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Evening on Saturday 1 October, where the winners were announced. All those who took part loved the experience, all the way from mechanics and businesses that had a go on the initial online quizzes. This is history now though, as all eyes turn towards 2023. If you have been counting the hours until it all starts again, you are in the right place, as Top Technician starts again from Monday 5 December, and Top Garage from 2 January. Whether this is your first go, or if you do it every year, excitement lies ahead. Let’s look at what is coming up. Top Technician First to start for 2023 is Top Technician. The competition is beginning its run imminently. Here is the timetable: Top Technician 2023 timetable (dates may be subject to change) Round One – Online: Monday 5 December 2022 – Friday 31 March 2023 Round Two – Online: Tuesday 11 April – Monday 8 May Round Three – Online: Friday 26 May– Monday 19 June Semi-final – Live: Saturday 2 September at Delphi Technologies, Warwick. Here, the 10 remaining contestants will face five 20-minute real-world practical tasks, set by the judges on real vehicles Final – Live: Saturday 14 October at Delphi Technologies, Warwick. The five finalists will face five 50- minute technical tasks, and from their number a winner and runner-up will emerge. They will be announced at the Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Evening 2023, being held at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Coventry. From 5 December, to enter Top Technician, simply visit www.aftermarketonline.net and Click on the ‘Top Technician/Top Garage tab on the homepage. That will take you through to a landing page where you just need to follow the instructions. It is as simple as that. The first quiz will merely take a few moments to complete. Don’t forget, if you go all the way to the final and win, you could receive a serious prize including cash, tools and equipment. For Top Technician and Top Garage 2022, the total prize fund was in excess of £30,000. Good luck! Top Garage Round One – Online: Tuesday 2 January - Sunday 30 April 2023 Those taking part answer a host of questions on business practices. Participating garages complete the Full Event Partner: