NOVEMBER 2023 AFTERMARKET 37 www.toptechnicianonline.co.uk WINNING DAYS Moments after finding out they were victorious, the winners from Top Technician and Top Garage 2023 told us how triumph tasted Top Technician and Top Garage 2023’s winners were a diverse collection of individuals and businesses. They took in those of all ages, from right across the UK. Top Technician 2023: Presented by Snap-on George Bettley, Crewe SEAT, Cheshire Commenting on how he managed to achieve the impossible by entering Top Technician for the first time in 2023, and then go on to be named as champion, George Bettley said his victory came down to a number of factors: “Hard work, pushing myself and taking on more training. A lot of it is thanks to SEAT’s training. In addition, my employer paid for me to go to Technical Topics. I’m also obsessed with fixing cars. After work, I will go and help other garages to diagnose faults on problem cars. Over time, doing this has improved my skills.” On the experience of being in Top Technician, he said: “At times I felt really pressured, but I still enjoyed taking part. It highlighted areas where I need to improve. I was not expecting to win. I was really happy just getting to the top five. To be the winner is incredible. I can’t quite believe it.” Obviously, as he has won Top Technician, he cannot compete again. Asked if he would return as a judge, as many former winners do, he added: “I’d love to take part in some capacity in future.” George received a £1,000 cheque from Aftermarket, a Zeus+ diagnostic platform from Snap-on, a Phoenix Lite2 from TOPDON and a £250 voucher from TechMan. Delphi meanwhile offered up an Alpine F1 exclusive tour and lunch and a jacket. BookMyGarage provided an allexpenses-paid weekend getaway to Portugal for two, while ALLDATA Europe offered up a £250 hotel voucher. TPS’ prize was a Lego Volkswagen T2 camper van worth £170, while MOTUL gave a pair of Goodwood Revival VIP tickets. Top Technician runner-up: Presented by Snap-on David Weston, KIA UK We next spoke to Top Technician runner-up, long-term participant and now three-time finalist David Weston. 2023 saw him reach his highest point yet, coming in second. He was delighted, but determined to make his way to the summit: “I’ve got one more step to go, hopefully one more year, maybe 10 but I’m telling you now, I’ll get there. If the competitors we had this year turn up next year, and perform to the same standard, and are joined by new competitors of the same quality, it will be tough next year, but it will be so much fun. Whoever wins will truly be a Top Technician.” David received a Triton D10 diagnostic platform from Snap-on, a UltraDiag from TOPDON, a jacket or hoodie from Delphi, a helicopter sightseeing experience for two from BookMyGarage and a £200 hotel voucher from ALLDATA Europe. He also received a bottle of Moet from TPS and a voucher for MOTUL merchandise. Business with 1-3 employees: Presented by Delphi Drive Green Motor Services, Suffolk Aftermarket spent quite a long time talking to David Wilson from Drive Green Motor Services while he waited for his turn with the judges during the day, and from that it was clear he was one to watch, so we were very pleased for him and his team when they were named winners in the 1-3 employees group. Commenting on winning, David said: “It feels absolutely amazing to be a winner. It Above: Top Technician 2023 winner George Bettley Below: Top Technician runner-up David Weston
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