September 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019 AFTERMARKET 31 Above: Cheltenham & Gloucester Autocentre www.aftermarketonline.net some really well-respected garages - Cedar Garage, Bryan Swales, CT and Cheltenham & Gloucester Autocentre. Just to be here with them and in with a chance is good." John Donnellan is from Donnellan Auto Services. He said: "I had a good experience. Some of the questions the judges asked were tricky, but I think I answered them pretty well. Some of the pointers from the judges did give me food for thought for when I go home. Overall, I think I did well. I am very happy and delighted to have been here. We will be back next year we hope. It has been a great experience." Ian Whitmore from CT Cars said: "I have enjoyed it and I have definitely learnt from it. The evening hopefully is going to be very good as well." Ben Thompson from A1 Autocentre was happy: "It was a lot more relaxed than I expected. I thought there was going to be five or six people sitting there, silver pens and paper, but I knew some of the judges – which helped. I did the best I could and it seemed to go ok.” Last but not least, were Kevin Pearce and Matthew Copp from Cedar Garage. The winners from 2018's inaugural competition, perhaps worthy of the title again? Kevin said: “Top Garage 2019 was another great experience. We have pushed ourselves even more over the last year, and after coming out of our interview, we are extremely happy with where we have gotten to. Sometimes being quizzed about whether you are as good as you think you are, sometimes it makes you know where you need to improve, other times it makes you proud of where you have gotten. We are definitely hoping to win again." We asked them, as they left, if they were looking forward to the evening and the Awards Dinner: "If we win" was the cheeky reply, given with winning smiles from the pair, who then disappeared in a cloud of supercar dust. Bar the clearing up, and counting up the points, that was it. Roll on the Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Dinner. Top Technician – Top Garage Gala Dinner and the winners The Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Dinner was a big event this year. Held at the Jurys Inn Milton Keynes, the night was hosted by TV presenter and journalist Helen Fospero with more than 200 guests. Those in attendance included contestants from both competitions, as well as many other people from garage businesses, sector suppliers and representative bodies. Following the drinks reception, hosted by TechMan, the guests filed through to their tables and the Awards Dinner kicked off. Before we got to the portion of the evening where we found out who had won what, Andy Savva provided a little food for thought, giving one of his trademark excellent presentations. When it did get to the awards section, the sponsors were on hand to present the prizes to the winners. Top Technician 2019: Presented by Snap-on Winner: Neil Currie Runner up: Declan Robinson Top Garage 2019 Business with up to five staff; presented by Euro Car Parts Declan McCormack Vehicle Repairs, Chippenham, Wiltshire Business with 6-10 staff presented by TRICO Cheltenham and Gloucester Autocentre, Staverton, Gloucestershire Businesses with 11-plus staff; presented by Snap-on Cedar Garage, (2018 overall champions) Worthing, West Sussex And with that, it was all over, but not really as 2020's competitions are about to begin. Staying up to date You can stay up to date on Top Technician and Top Garage by visiting www.toptechnicianonline.co.uk as well as through Twitter and Facebook. There are also regular updates via www.aftermarketonline.net and Aftermarket magazine, as well as Aftermarket’s fortnightly newsletter. Top Technician 2019 and Top Garage 2019 come to you in association with ABC Awards, Auto iQ, the Garage Equipment Association (GEA), the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), and the Independent Garage Association (IGA). Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Dinner 2019 Pre- Dinner Drinks Reception Sponsor: TechMan. Top Technician 2019 and Top Garage 2019 are sponsored by Snap-on, TRICO and Euro Car Parts. Below: Cedar Garage