Australia takes third place at Isuzu's I-1 GP
It was a case of the best-of-the-best at Isuzu’s international technical competition in Japan, and the Aussies got on the podium!The Isuzu World Technical Competition, better known as the I-1 Grand Prix (I-1 GP), took place on October 30 in Fujisawa, Japan, and attracted the best Isuzu technical talent in the world to battle it out for the winning spot as the best Isuzu technical team.
The Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) team, coached by Charlie Gracewood (IAL Service Technical Manager – WA, SA and NT), consisted of Matthew Radke (Black Truck Sales, Toowoomba, Queensland) and Michael Primmer (Winter and Taylor, Geelong, Victoria).
The team had worked hard to place themselves on the podium, and eventually took third place. This put them just behind USA in second place, and Japan in first place.
Mr Radke and Mr Primmer were chosen as Australia’s representatives through the National Technical Skills Competition, which saw them pitted against the best Isuzu truck technicians in the country, competing in complex, high-pressure tests and excelling in all components of the competition—cementing themselves a spot on the Australia team.
In preparation for the I-1 GP, Mr Radke and Mr Primmer (led by Mr Gracewood) underwent an intensive three-week training program, which included theoretical exams, complex practical tests and time challenges. The intensity of the training increases year on year, mirroring the increasing level of difficulty at the I-1 Grand Prix competition.
The competition tests technicians from the international Isuzu network on all things service-related — vehicle inspections, systems management, practical assembly, diagnosis, repair tests, mechanical measuring and problem-solving. The competition is split into two categories: global markets that sell vehicles above the Euro IV emissions levels (including Australia), and markets below that grade.
Isuzu says the the I-1 GP reiterates Isuzu’s promise of quality and reliability by creating a competitive environment where dealerships strive to provide quicker quality servicing, diagnostics and repair — which ultimately means less downtime for customers.
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