In a thrilling showcase of technical prowess, the Isuzu UK Technical Skills Competition took centre stage at The Pick-Up Professionals’ headquarters in Solihull. This fiercely contested event saw five of the most talented service technicians from Isuzu’s UK dealer network battle it out across four rigorous technical challenges. Their goal? A coveted spot at the 2025 I-1 Grand Prix—the Global Isuzu Technical Skills Competition—set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand.
A Test of Technical Excellence
The competition, held in February 2025, brought together top technicians from a pool of over 90 Isuzu dealerships across the UK. Over the course of three hours, the finalists were put through their paces in a series of tasks designed to assess their expertise, precision, and problem-solving abilities. The four demanding challenges included:
- Engine Timing & Gear Assembly (60 min): Refitting drive gears and the timing chain on an Isuzu D-Max engine, ensuring correct timing.
- Cylinder Head Gasket Selection (30 min): Measuring piston protrusion to calculate and fit the correct cylinder head gasket.
- Vehicle Health Check (30 min): Conducting a thorough diagnostic report on the New Isuzu D-Max, identifying and rectifying four predetermined faults.
- Technical Knowledge Test (60 min): Completing a rigorous 25-question written exam.
The Champions Emerge
After an intense contest, Stefan Harland of Hunt Forest Group, Chilbolton emerged victorious, demonstrating an exceptional level of technical acumen and problem-solving ability. Finishing as runner-up was Liam Ross from Morrison Motors, Turriff, securing his place alongside Harland to represent Isuzu UK at the global competition in Thailand.
Completing the top five were:
- Stephen Watson (Oliver Landpower, Kings Langley) – 3rd place
- Scott Baxter (Trek-Trucks, Sheffield) – 4th place
- Olly Curtis (Compass Tractors, Bridgwater) – 5th place
Recognition and Celebration
Darren James, UK Group Resources Director at International Motors, praised the competitors, stating:
“Each of the five contestants can absolutely be proud of what they did in the UK final, showcasing the class-leading level of knowledge and expertise at the core of Isuzu UK’s DNA. They made it very difficult to determine a winner and runner-up to progress to the world final. However, I would like to congratulate Stefan Harland on his impressive victory and the superb effort from runner-up Liam Ross, who will be joining him in Bangkok.”
A Journey of Dedication
Reflecting on his achievement, Harland shared:
“It is a privilege to be named as the winner of the Isuzu World Technical Skills – UK Competition. I am very excited to be put forward to compete in the global competition in Thailand later this year, and I hope to do both Hunt Forest Group and Isuzu UK proud!”
Harland’s journey began in 2012 when he embarked on a three-year apprenticeship at Andover College. Upon completion in 2015, he honed his expertise across multiple automotive brands in Basingstoke before joining Hunt Forest Group in September 2023. His passion for working on pick-ups used in farming communities has been a driving force in his career.
Strengthening Isuzu’s Legacy
The outstanding skill and dedication demonstrated at the competition reinforce Isuzu’s reputation as The Pick-Up Professionals. The expertise of the Isuzu dealer network, combined with the brand’s 5-year/125,000-mile warranty, has earned Isuzu the prestigious ‘Best Back-Up 2025’ award from Overlander 4×4 Magazine.
With Harland and Ross now preparing to take on the world’s best in Thailand, Isuzu UK is well-positioned to make its mark on the global stage. The competition not only highlights the brand’s commitment to excellence but also underscores the world-class technical proficiency within its UK dealer network.
