WA Isuzu technicians Jason Lee from Road Runner Mechanical Services and Connor Gillam from Major Motors are gearing up to represent Australia at the Isuzu World Technical Competition in Japan this month.
The pair won the right to represent Australia in November last year and is one of 35 international teams gathering at the Pacifico Convention Centre in Yokohama for the final test on October 30.
The competition, otherwise known as the I-1 Grand Prix or I-1 GP, is held in front of a live audience, and has the same format as previous years apart from a brief hiatus from 2020 through to 2022, when the competition was held online to accommodate Covid restrictions.
The new venue supports a growing number of participants and interest from Isuzu’s international network, with previous competitions held at the Isuzu Manufacturing Service Training Centre in Fujisawa.
Team Australia has just completed pre-competition training which involves a three-week intensive course at Isuzu Australia’s head office in Melbourne, led by team coach Dan Gorfine and ably assisted by Alex Redsell, IAL technical training developer.
The final training session includes a full practice run of the I-1 GP, based on previous years’ competitions and is held in front of Isuzu Australia staff to simulate the heightened pressures and expectations of the competition day.
Gorfine, IAL service technical manager for Victoria/Tasmania, said the team presented a united front that was cool, calm, and collected during training sessions.
“Jason and Connor have stepped up to the plate and taken their training very seriously, so we know that they will do us proud,” he commented.
“They both came into the training with very strong technical knowledge, so outside of building on those foundations, we have focused on their team skills to support one another.
“It’s going to be tough because those who make it to the I-1 GP are the best Isuzu techs in the world.
“This is the overarching purpose of the competition, encouraging our technicians to continually progress their skills and inspiring the next generation in this industry as they consider their future career pathways.”
Once the competition has ended, Team Australia will be staying on to explore the country and Isuzu’s manufacturing processes in a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which both competitors are looking forward to.
“We know there will be some real talent in this year’s competition, so it will be amazing to put our diagnostic skills to the test in Japan,” Gillam said.
“The training has been very intense to get ready for the international event, but it’s also been enjoyable.”
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