Isuzu technicians gain Supercars experience

Five Australian Isuzu Trucks technicians from across the country are being immersed in a once in a lifetime pit crew experience by joining championship winning outfit Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU) on selected weekends of this year’s V8 Supercars title chase.

Second-year apprentice, Natalie Williams (pictured above, right), of Brisbane Isuzu Archerfield took a career defining opportunity at the recent round at Darwin’s Hidden Valley.

TEAM ELEMENT

“Although I work in a mechanical workshop everyday this experience was eye-opening,” said Williams of her Supercars experience in the top end.

“At Brisbane Isuzu we need to work as a team to achieve our goals, and there are a lot of similarities, but the race team is next level, working to tight time limits across the weekend and meeting deadlines.

“I have come away feeling very enthusiastic.

“For a young person especially, it is great to feel like you’re a part of the Isuzu family and that they want me to continue to learn and be inspired through opportunities like this.

“I would recommend to any young woman to have a look at this type of career as it is both unique and rewarding.

“My goal is to stick to the mechanical field and become a foreman or go further into diagnostics.”

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

WAU, which this year is campaigning Ford Mustang GTs with drivers Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat, is delighted to provide the opportunity to the group of young Isuzu technicians.

“We can pass on the importance of teamwork where everyone has a role, and everyone has a job to do on the day,” said WAU’s Andrew Wiles. “The likes of Natalie then take that back to the dealership and apply that to improve themselves and the team around them.

“It is great to have people who come in wanting to know about pretty much everything, who are willing to help and really get their hands dirty.

“Some could be part of our team in the future, but right now it is great to see Natalie and her fellow technicians dedicate themselves to their chosen field,” he added.

ISUZU INSPIRATION

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) Head of Aftersales, Brett Stewart, said the company is committed to inspiring young technicians with programs such as a weekend with WAU.

“As well as the pit crew experience, we also hold the Isuzu Australia National Technical skills competition and the Isuzu World Technical Competition, commonly referred to as the I-1 Grand Prix,” he said.

“It’s not only great for Isuzu, but for our dealers and ultimately our customers across the country who benefit from having skilled and enthusiastic technicians working on their trucks.”

With multiple career development pathways, personal education courses, and an inclusive mindset, Isuzu dealerships have proven to be dynamic places of employment for young technicians such as Williams.

“As Natalie continues to prove, young women should and do have an important place in this industry,” said Stewart.

“Isuzu will provide not only the opportunity to work for a leading truck brand but also rewards like this Supercars weekend for those who aspire to a career as a truck technician.

“It gives us great pleasure to offer our people with positive learning experiences and platforms such as this to showcase what they’re really capable of.”

Other Isuzu technicians to join WAU in 2023:

Kim Coronacion, Bendigo Isuzu, Townsville Race Event

Tim Davies, Ballart Isuzu, Sandown (Melbourne) Race Event

Harry Merryweather, Brisbane Isuzu Burpengary, Gold Coast Race Event

Matthew Dinola, Patterson Cheney (Victoria), Adelaide Race Event