Judges announced for National Paint Championships, at Automechanika
Entry deadline of 3rd March for National Paint Championships fast approaches
An esteemed and renowned line up of bodyshop and paint professionals are set to judge the National Paint Championships, hosted by Automechanika Birmingham, with the winner of the Championships to be announced in a live ceremony at the show on 7th June 2023.
On the panel will be a total of six established judges from within the bodyshop and collision repair industry, including: Rachel Murray, finisher and owner of Paint by Rach; Michael Massey, global paint finishing platform application engineer for the 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division; Simon Wait, head of editorial at Bodyshop Magazine; Jordan Salt, managing director of R+R Coatings; Sunny Yip, car body repair technician of Auto Spray and; Craig Bourke, technical sales support engineer at Walcom Walmec UK.
Murray is excited to judge the show’s first-ever National Paint Championship, commenting: “I’ve participated in a number of competitions myself and it’s nice to be on the other side of it this time round. The team of judges we have are all really good, so it’ll be great to compare ideas and thoughts on an entrant’s work and how they’ve achieved a particular design. Obviously, everyone has their own way of doing things, so it’s really exciting to be able to see it first-hand and being a judge is a real honour.”
Meanwhile, Massey, who is equally as enthusiastic about the talent set to be unleased, said: “We spend a lot of time working with youngsters in the industry and recruiting new talent, as well as on how to retain new talent in the industry, which is obviously very important. However, the talent we do have almost doesn’t get a look in at times, so it’s just as important to retain that talent we do have and to celebrate them – and the Championships offer a great platform for those qualified technicians to show what they’re about.”
Bourke also added: “In my opinion, Automechanika Birmingham offers the perfect platform to host the Championships. This is due to its prime central location, outstanding facilities, and a worldwide audience in attendance.
“For many of these painters in their day-to-day jobs they may not have the opportunity to be as creative and demonstrate the true craftsmanship that goes into these pieces. It also demonstrates the limitless possibilities that this industry can offer to anyone thinking of moving into an area such as this.”
The initial entry deadline to take part in the Championships is fast approaching; all entrants have to do is submit a basic one-plan document – with entry requirements here – to summarise their theme idea and the products and techniques that will be used to alex.jones@uk.messefrankfurt.combefore 3rd March in order to go through to the next stage.
This plan can be altered once submitted and by entering, entrants will qualify for a free Vauxhall Corsa bonnet, delivered to their chosen address.
With the Championships being completely free to enter, automotive painters will be tasked with designing the most impressive car bonnet to showcase their classic paint technique, in a bid to be crowned National Paint Champion.
The designs, which have a theme of ‘Mobility Royale,’ will be on display during the course of the show from 6th – 8th June, and a professional jury will decide on their favourite design live on stage at the show.
And there’s more, as the general public is invited to vote for their favourite motif, as participants go head-to-head to battle it out for the People's Choice Award.
Alex Jones, marketing director of Messe Frankfurt UK, organisers of Automechanika Birmingham, said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting what’s set to be a star-studded display of the industry’s very best and talented paint sprayers; what an honour it is to have such a fantastic and renowned line up of judges on board to make what I’m sure will be the very difficult decision of choosing Automechanika Birmingham’s very first National Paint Champion.”
The design must be executed to the highest standards but not exceed 50 hours in total to produce.
Entering is simple; all you have to do is email alex.jones@uk.messefrankfurt.com and click this link to find out more information regarding the requirements.
When participants enter, they will automatically be included in both categories: The National Paint Champion and the People's Choice.
The National Paint Champion winner will then be invited to attend Automechanika Frankfurt, taking place in 2024, to compete for international acclaim and become world champion.