Best of the west take to the sky for Isuzu I-1 Grand Prix

With over 80 dealership and Authorised Service and Parts Outlet sites throughout Australia, it’s no surprise that Isuzu’s Dealer Network is brimming with serious technical talent.

With so many trucks on Australian roads, the brand invests heavily in training and fostering excellence within its ranks—with the ultimate beneficiary being the thousands of Isuzu Trucks customers who utilise dealership servicing throughout the country.

This makes things very exciting indeed ahead of the annual Isuzu World Technical Competition, otherwise known as the I-1 Grand Prix or I-1 GP; to see who will go for gold in representing Team Australia.

The 2024 competition will be hosted in Japan in front of a live audience, 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-19 pandemic restrictions.

The main event will see 35 international teams gathering at the Pacifico Convention Centre in Yokohama for the final test on 30 October 2024. 

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.

Connor Gillam of Major Motors in WA

The chosen ones

Each competing nation will send two technicians to represent their home country at the I-1 GP. Here in Australia, these are the winners of Isuzu’s domestic National Technical Skills Competition who will join team coach, Dan Gorfine, IAL Service Technical Manager for Victoria/Tasmania.

This year, two Western Australian service technicians have taken the top honour, with Jason Lee from Road Runner Mechanical Services and Connor Gillam from Major Motors heading to Japan at the end of October. 

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,” said Mr Gillam.

“The training has been very intense to get ready for the international event, but it's also been enjoyable.”

“Seeing the different teams from the competing countries and being part of the I-1 Grand Prix will be an unforgettable experience,” said Mr Lee.

“I can't wait to see how things are done at Isuzu Motors in Japan!”

From Left to right: IAL Service Technical Manager for Victoria/Tasmania Dan Gorfine, Jason Lee, and Connor Gillam

Ready, set, go

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.

Mr 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 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,” Mr 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.

“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.”