Best Of The Best: Isuzu Australia Takes 3rd Place At I-1Gp

The Isuzu World Technical Competition, better known as the I-1 Grand Prix (I-1 GP), took place on 30 October 2019 in Fujisawa, Japan, and attracted the best Isuzu technical talent 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, coming in third place. This places them just behind USA in second place, and Japan in first place. [Caption] First place—Japan; second place—USA; third place—Australia 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 from 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 extensive 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. [gallery columns="2" link="file" ids="eyJ1cmwiOiJcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcL0ktMS1HUC0wMDEuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJJLTEtR1AtMDAxIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0=,eyJ1cmwiOiJcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcL0ktMS1HUC0wMDIuanBnIiwidGl0bGUiOiJJLTEtR1AtMDAyIiwiY2FwdGlvbiI6IiIsImFsdCI6IiIsImRlc2NyaXB0aW9uIjoiIn0="] 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 while ensuring more than just symptomatic relief. IAL National Training Manager David Smith commended the team for their superb effort. “I believe that the Australia team’s result at the I-1 Grand Prix is truly indicative of the calibre of the service technicians throughout the entire Isuzu dealer network,” he said. “IAL has always been very proud of its talented pool of Isuzu technicians, and placing on the podium amid such a strong group is validation of that fact.” “We always go expecting to win, but it’s a very tough competition, so we’re very pleased with the result. “The competition has definitely grown in stature and so a lot of preparation and a lot of training goes into it. “For the Isuzu truck customer, this can only benefit them when it comes to repairs and receiving quality service every time.”