34 AFTERMARKET NOVEMBER 2023 TOP TECHNICIAN AND TOP GARAGE 2023 www.toptechnicianonline.co.uk you look back on the day you realise it’s enjoyable.” On what propelled him to the final, Mark observed: “I have just tried to train over the years, and become as good as I can in my field.” On his experiences in Top Tech this year, he added: “I have enjoyed the whole process, starting off at home doing the questions, all the way to here. I am one of those people that loves a challenge.” Jack added: “I didn’t enter to win – I have taken part looking at it from the CPD aspect. Everyone here is very passionate, and if I don’t win I can’t wait to do it again next year.” David Weston noted: “It is so much fun, and there are so many great people here.” Reflections When all the tasks were done, it was feedback time. Karl Weaver observed: “I was really impressed with what I saw today. As time went by they got more confident, and they were able to relax. Everyone solved the problem. The real curve-ball on this one was the diode in the parking wire, and it had a very peculiar effect. It parks the engine but also sends a signal for the intermittent wiping on the windscreen wiper, and it was allowing half of it to work and half not to work.” Steve Smith noted: “Every year, the contestants get better and better. I actually learn from them. Once they get over their nerves you have to fasten your seat belt. I was so impressed with the way they tore into the car, especially considering that the Cactus has two additive systems onboard, which is a curve-ball for anyone.” Wilf Goodman said: “I was really impressed with everyone. It’s a bit different when you don’t have a scan tool to work with, and you have to do some manual tests. Everyone got to the component, which I didn’t expect.” David Guilfoyle said: “I saw some really good work, especially in the use of the Pico scope. The way that some of them interpreted the waveforms was great.” On the instructional task, Oliver Hayward said: “Presenting like this is not something many of them do every day. Pretty much everything was covered, including how the Hall Effect works, which was great.” Rounding everything up was fellow judge and 2021 winner Kevin Toms, who concluded: “It is an absolute privilege for all of us to come here and judge you, and see how you work under pressure. We all get pressure in the workshop, but here there the added pressure of wanting to win. The truth is though, you are all winners. To get this far means you are at the top of the tree in this profession.” Now, all that left was to see who had won. Top Garage 2023 finals Saturday 14 October was certainly a busy day at the Delphi Academy. While the Top Technician finalists occupied the workshop areas of the site for most of the day, many of the classrooms were repurposed as interview areas where the Top Garage judges could grill the businesses who had put themselves up for scrutiny. Representatives of the businesses taking part, along with individual staff members taking part in Top Service Advisor, as well as those tasked with presenting for the BEN Workplace Health and Wellbeing award had filled up the reception area before the first Top Technician task had even kicked off. The businesses competing in Top Garage, along with those taking part in Top Service Advisor and the BEN Health and Wellbeing award were as follows: Businesses with 1-3 employees: A&J Fleetcare Alga Garage Bectec Vehicle Repairs CM Automotive Bristol Drive Green Vehicle Services Hutchings Vehicle Services John Hall Auto Electrician MMS Technik The Garage Warmington WJH Auto Businesses with 4-6 employees: A1 Autocentre AJ Automedics CT Cars Links Automotive Maitland Motors Shires Garage Auto Services Businesses with 7-9 employees: Auto Works Service Centre Beverly Motor Works Billingborough Cars and Commercials Bryan Swales Auto Repairs CSN Autos Cleevely Motors E&M MOT & Service Ewan Lawson Motors P Breading Motor Services Ramsey Hill Garage Robert Cockings Motor Repairs Businesses with 10-plus employees: AAK Auto Service Anderson Clark Motor Repairs D&D Autos (Ashford) Express Motor Workshop Fitch Autos Jackson & Philips Automotive Services Oldfields Garage Services QCD Autocentres Milton Keynes Ruellans Garage Uckfield Motor Services Multi-site: CCM HiQ Tyres and Autocare Ipswich Shaikly Motor Company Rowes Honda Above: 2017 Top Technician champion Karl Weaver overseeing 2021 runner-up Simon Parkinson on the Toyota Prius task
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