Spanners fly in Southland

Automotive technicians from across Southland battled it out with technique, skill, teamwork and panache for the title of MTA Fastest Spanner: 2014.

Ten two-man teams from the south of the South Island came together to pull apart, then put back together engines to working order the fastest on July 24. More than 300 spectators packed the Invercargill Workingmen’s Club to watch the event, organised by the MTA Southland branch.

The winning team, Tristan Duffell from Prestige Commercial Vehicles, and Bruce Woodd from Macaulay Motors, dismantled, reassembled, then started the 1.3-litre Toyota engine in 12 minutes and five seconds. The winning pair shaved four seconds off the previous record time of 12 minutes and nine seconds, set last year by Duffell and colleague Allen Whitaker.

The engines, prepared specially for the event by Southland Institute of Technology, were commonly found in the ubiquitous Toyota Corolla – which all technicians had experience with. All proceeds raised from ticket sales went to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

MTA Southland business advisor Michelle Findlater said the evening put the talent and technique of automotive technicians on centre stage, and was greatly enjoyed by the competitors and the spectators.

“This is the fifth year we’ve held this. Every year, the number of spectators gets bigger, and the times get lower. Overall, it is a great night out for the industry, and really shows the skill level these technicians have.”

Results

1. Tristan Duffell, Prestige Commercial Vehicles/Bruce Wood, Macaulay Motors, 12 mins 05 secs 2. Callum Baird/Daniel Strang, 12 mins 40 secs 3. Allen Whitaker/Conner Withington, Prestige Commercial Vehicles. 13 min 15 secs.