While we were all crowded round the proverbial telly box for the FIFA World Cup draw last month, there was a much more interesting global competition taking place in Japan! Yamaha was running its World Tech GP in Iwata, where spanner-jockeys from around the planet were taking part to see who was the best at a series of challenges. And the tech World Cup is now definitely coming home – British technician Liam Coffey grabbed the top gong and is now the reigning Yamaha World Technician Grand Prix champion.
Coffey, who works at QBS Powersports in Heybridge, Essex, made his way to Japan through a series of national and European competitions, looking at diagnostic skills and customer service challenges, testing accuracy, efficiency and general mastery of the trade. It’s not his first rodeo: he’s been entering the competition for almost a decade, getting closer to the final prize each time.
“I’m honoured, overwhelmed, and incredibly proud,” said Coffey. “The World Technician Grand Prix is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. The level of detail in the tasks, the pressure of working against the clock, and the standard of technicians I was up against was unbelievable. Every challenge tested something different, from diagnostics and measurement accuracy to real-time customer interaction. To come out on top still doesn’t feel real.
“Being able to compete in Japan, at Yamaha’s headquarters, was an unforgettable experience. Walking through the factory, meeting the engineers, and seeing where the products are born was genuinely inspiring. To then stand on the podium representing the UK and QBS Powersports – it was a moment I’ll never forget. I’m hugely grateful for all the support from my colleagues at QBS, Yamaha Motor UK, and the Yamaha Motor Academy – their training and encouragement played a massive part in helping me achieve this.”