Isuzu Australia has revealed high hopes for its team headed to Japan for the upcoming annual Isuzu World Technical Competition, otherwise known as the I-1 Grand Prix or I-1 GP that start in Yokohama tomorrow our time.
The company said it is keen to see who will go for gold in representing Team Australia and that with more than 80 dealership and authorised service and parts outlets around Australia it says it shows that its Dealer Network is brimming with serious technical talent.
The brand says that with so many trucks on Australian roads, it invests heavily in training and fostering excellence within its ranks saying that the ultimate beneficiaries are the thousands of Isuzu customers who utilise dealership servicing around the country.
This according to Isuzu makes things exciting ahead of the 2024 competition which will be hosted in Japan in front of a live audience. The competition will have the same format as previous years, which apart from a brief hiatus from 2020 through to 2022, when it was held online to meet COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
The company says that the main event will see 35 international teams gathering at the Pacifico Convention Centre in Yokohama for the final test from tomorrow on 30 October.
It says 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.
Each competing nation has sent two technicians to represent their home country at the I-1 GP.
The winners of Isuzu’s Australian domestic National Technical Skills Competition will join team coach, IAL service technical manager for Victoria and Tasmania, Dan Gorfine, with two Western Australian service technicians have taken the top honour this year, Jason Lee from Road Runner Mechanical Services and Connor Gillam, from Major Motors having flown to Japan for the global finals
Team Australia will be staying on to explore the country and Isuzu’s manufacturing processes once the competition has ended.
The event is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which both competitors said they were 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,” said Connor Gillam.
“The training has been very intense to get ready for the international event, but it’s also been enjoyable,” he added
“Seeing the different teams from the competing countries and being part of the I-1 Grand Prix will be an unforgettable experience,” said Jason Lee.
“I can’t wait to see how things are done at Isuzu Motors in Japan!”
Isuzu said its Team Australia completed pre-competition training involving a three-week intensive course at Isuzu Australia’s head office in Melbourne, led by team coach Dan Gorfine and IAL technical training developer, Alex Redsell,
The final training session included a full practice run of the I-1 GP, was based on previous years’ competitions and was held in front of Isuzu Australia staff to simulate the heightened pressures and expectations of the competition day.
Dan Gorfine 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 said.
“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,” Gorfine continued.
“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,” he added.
“As always, this flows through as only positives for Isuzu customers, who will receive exemplary technical support in their truck ownership experience, from genuine world-class technicians
