A trans-Tasman clash has ended in a draw as two diesel technicians battled at the 2018 Hino National Skills Contest.
Top New Zealand Hino technician Heidi Inkster from Truckstops Wellington went head-to-head with Hino Australia’s 2016 champion Asa Pearson at the group’s Sydney training centre on August 23.
The challenge saw Inkster and Pearson compete against each other against the clock with an allocation of 30 minutes to find four faults on the new GH1A wide cab Hino.
Each fault had a time limit, which once lapsed, was closed forcing the competitors to move to the next fault.
Inkster says the competition was tough and “though it was a joke” when the draw was announced.
“I really noticed a step-up in pressure but made sure I took care of the basics and built from there.
“Normally you have time to think about a job but it was really interesting to see how you go under real time pressure,” Inkster says.
Adding to the pressure were the GoPros strapped to the competitor’s heads and the 160-strong crowd watching on.
Hino New Zealand technical support manager Simon Wilson says it was a great result.
“This is the first time a New Zealand Hino technician has competed against an Australia technician and we couldn’t be prouder of Heidi, both in terms of her skills during the competition and how she has represented Hino New Zealand and our after sales partner Truckstops.”
