Sytner Group Elite Technician 2026

Sytner Group Crowns 13 Elite Technicians at 2026 National Final

Warwickshire, UK — 5 March 2026: The Sytner Group’s 2026 Elite Technician competition reached its finale at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, where 39 of the company’s top-performing technicians competed for the prestigious title of ‘Elite Technician’ across 13 specialist categories.

Since its UK launch in 2017, the Elite Technician programme has grown significantly. What began with just three category winners has evolved into a Group‑wide initiative recognising 13 outstanding technicians each year, now including colleagues from Agnew’s in Northern Ireland. Initially piloted with Porsche, Ferrari and Bentley technicians, the competition has since expanded to encompass all brands across the business.

Designed to highlight the critical role technicians play within the automotive industry, the competition supports Sytner Group’s commitment to developing, recognising and retaining exceptional technical talent. Technicians across the Group bring a diverse range of expertise that underpins the success of service departments and ensures customers remain safe and mobile.

Aligned with Sytner’s “One Team” ethos, this year’s competition attracted a record number of applications across all 13 categories, reflecting both its growing reputation and the pride technicians take in their craft.

The 13 winners will be rewarded with an all‑expenses‑paid trip to Texas, USA, at the end of April. The prize includes attendance at the WÜRTH 400 NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway as guests of Team Penske — a 400‑mile event demanding 267 laps of high‑intensity racing.

During the practical final, competitors were given 90 minutes to diagnose a range of engineered real‑world faults across exterior, interior and engine systems. Finalists then submitted a CitNOW video detailing the issues identified and the required repairs. These results were combined with scores from an online theory assessment completed in February at Penman Way to determine the overall winners.

The event was invigilated by Tom Denton, Fellow of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), ensuring the highest standards of assessment and integrity.

Sytner Group is proud to acknowledge the invaluable support of its partners. Shell Helix Motor Oils returned as principal sponsor, joined by Pirelli, Würth and CitNOW. The Group is also delighted to welcome Bumper as a new sponsor for 2026, further strengthening the collaborative partnerships that help elevate the competition each year. Their collective commitment to innovation, training and technical excellence continues to underpin the success of the Elite Technician Challenge.

As the automotive sector continues to evolve at pace, the Elite Technician programme reinforces Sytner Group’s dedication to celebrating and investing in the technical expertise that keeps the business — and its customers — moving forward.