Diesel mechanics strip engine in record time

Alice Springs diesel mechanics Justin Lord and Jared Bentvelzen have shown great speed and dexterity to win the Red Centre NATS Flying Spanners competition in record time.

Competing as the “Nut Strippers”, Justin and Jared disassembled and rebuilt a four-cylinder Holden engine in just 17 minutes and 33 seconds, slashing six minutes off the previous record, set last year.

Charles Darwin University automotive students Chanel Lambert and Vincent Laino, competing as “Postage 5”, were runners-up in 25 minutes and 14 seconds. Their time is the fastest by first-year apprentices in the three years that the Shannon’s / CDU Flying Spanners competition has taken place.

Charles Darwin University Automotive Engineering lecturer Russ Horan said participants had to be well organised, think clearly and perform under pressure in a race against the clock.

“The two teams who made the grand final were both outstanding in their heats. The apprentices were keen as mustard and very meticulous but at the end of the day the heavy machine mechanics were just too quick,” Mr Horan said.

Once again the event attracted strong public interest with good crowds turning up for the four heats and the final, which were hosted in the CDU marquee at Blatherskite Park.

Competitors wore camera headsets that provided a live video feed to two large monitors that were set up to give spectators a close up view of the action taking place before them.

Shannons, Summernats, NT Major Events and Repco sponsored the major prizes.