Land Rover South Bay Master Technician Wins 2001 'Technicians' Challenge' Competition

      Demanding Mechanical Problem-Solving Test Challenges Land Rover's
        Top Techs' Diagnostic Abilities, Determines 'Best of the Best'

    LANHAM, Md., May 7 Land Rover University, the sales and
service training arm of Land Rover North America, Inc., has announced the
winner of this year's Technicians' Challenge, an annual vehicle diagnostics
competition for Land Rover technicians from across the U.S.  Tim Brooks, a
master technician at Redondo Beach, Calif.-based Land Rover South Bay, has
taken top honors in this year's Technicians' Challenge, a competition that
demands in-depth technical knowledge of both new and classic Land Rovers.
    (Photo:  NewsCom:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010507/DCM059 )
    Land Rover's "Marque of Distinction" program is an ongoing sales and
service recognition initiative that tracks the individual accomplishments of
retail personnel and the team-based performance of retail organizations within
Land Rover North America's U.S.-based retailer network.  The Technicians'
Challenge is part of the Individual Performance component of the Marque of
Distinction program; it evaluates technicians' effectiveness at diagnosing
rare and unusual vehicle problems initially discovered in the field."The
Technicians' Challenge determines which Land Rover technicians have the
ability to fix the most complex vehicle subsystems," said Bob Rolland, general
manager, Land Rover University.  "Our winners have proven that they really
have met the Land Rover benchmark for technical ability."
    Twelve technicians were chosen for the Technicians' Challenge practical
exam.  Their qualification was based on two factors: an overall score on an
initial 65-question written exam and their individual "Right-First-Time"
score.  Right-First-Time is a real-world, internal Land Rover measure of the
technicians' ability to fix vehicle problems correctly the first time they
work on a Land Rover that is brought into their retailer.  The finalists must
also exhibit the temperament to handle the stressful environment of the
practical final.
    Four "problem" vehicles awaited the finalists in the Land Rover University
campus's service bays: a 1995 Range Rover Classic and three 2001 model year
Land Rovers including two Discovery Series IIs and one Range Rover.  Each
technician was required to diagnose and repair complex faults on each of the
four vehicles.  The technicians were given four hours, one hour per vehicle,
to accomplish their tasks.
    "Our test proctors have to be very creative in devising ways to carefully
'interrupt' specific electrical subsystems on sample vehicles for the purposes
of this test," said Eric Handford, Land Rover University's training and
development manager.
    Competitors must make use of the advanced diagnostic tools -- including
portable test computers; CD ROM-based shop manuals; and intranet-based
maintenance bulletins -- that are used every day at all Land Rover retailers.
    This year's winner, Tim Brooks, received a total score of 270 points.  The
other finalists, in order of placement, were Mike Lacomba, master technician
at Duluth, Ga.-based Land Rover Gwinnett (254 points); Rob Dassler, master
technician at Aurora, Colo.-based Land Rover Denver East (247 points); Mike
Bower, certified technician at Tampa, Fla.-based Land Rover Tampa
(236 points); and Steve Wise, master technician at Highlands Ranch, Colo.-
based Land Rover Denver South (220 points).
    These top five finalists each receive an official Marque of Distinction
plaque that recognizes their efforts as part of the program.  The five are
also eligible to join in the Marque of Distinction Awards Trip, an all-
expenses-paid vacation provided by Land Rover University.  Previous Awards
Trips have taken winners to England, France and other countries for
sightseeing and, of course, some off-road driving in Land Rovers.
    Land Rover University is a highly innovative, industry-leading sales and
service training organization dedicated to improving the abilities of retail
and corporate Land Rover personnel working throughout the country.

    Land Rover North America, Inc., established in 1986, imports and
distributes Range Rover and Discovery Series II vehicles manufactured for sale
in North America by Land Rover Group Limited in Solihull, England.  Land
Rover's worldwide operations are wholly owned by Ford Motor Co., Dearborn,
Mich.

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