The RMI was able to secure a 200m2 stand for the Automechanika Show 2019. The purpose of the show stand was to highlight the re-focus of the RMI to the commercial interests of the membership. The stand was designed with the need to create interactivity with the visitors to the show from where the opportunity to engage further with the visitors was the goal.
The stand was comprised of three separate sections. In the middle section the RMI was joined by the MPEA, TDAFA, MIWA, ERA, ACRA, SADFIA associations which provided an interesting display of products and services.
The second section was dedicated to an interactive display of diesel injector testing and engines both new and rebuilt, by Almo Engineering from Virginia in the OFS. This area drew an enormous amount of visitor interest when the Chev 4100 was started and revved. This was no normal motor!
Finally, the third section of the RMI stand was where the tyre fitment competition took place. This area was set-up by Leaderquip to demonstrate the latest in ADAS systems and the latest in fully automatic tyre changing equipment namely the Hunter Revolution machine.
The tyre changing competition was based on the use of the most basic of equipment such as would be used in an entry level fitment centre. The tyre changer was a Leaderquip Forte and the wheel balancer was the Mezzi balancer.
Most of the competitors were clearly used to using high spec machines and had to undergo and orientation on these machines. This allowed the competitors to all operate off an equal footing after practicing a few times on the equipment.
Once the competitors were ready, the timed testing was started. The competitors were not limited in the number of attempts at achieving the best times and the improvements in times was dramatic as processes were adapted to suit the environment and the equipment.
The business owners were also on hand to provide moral support for the competitors and found themselves caught up in the excitement of the competition where they were pitting the virtues of their entrants against one another as well.
The winners were announced at 11h15 on Saturday 21 October (before the rugby!!). The top four competitors worked extremely hard to reach the fastest time of an unbelievably quick 1 minute 58 seconds. This is less than 2 minutes to deflate, strip, refit, inflate the tyre and also balance the wheel correctly.
The winning tyre fitters were:
| Name | Time | Prize |
| 1. Johannes Mputi | 1:58 | Fridge |
| 2. Donavan Lourens | 2:02 | Flat screen TV set |
| 3. Liberty Mamabolo | 2:19 | Microwave oven |
| 4. Isaac Ramotebele | 2:31 | Bluetooth speaker system |
The winning businesses where the tyre fitters are employed were:
| Supa Quick Silverton | Les Richardson (1st and 2nd place) | He wins both a trip to Automechanika Frankfurt 2020, flights and accommodation as well as the Leaderquip Forte tyre changing machine. |
| Supa Quick Strydom Park | Bailey van Breda | Launch Pilot scan tool |
| Tyremart Randburg | Bailey van Breda | Weekend for two at any Premier Hotel |
In conclusion, a lot of fun was had and all who participated welcomed the concept and look forward to the next opportunity to compete again in 2020. We would like to thank our sponsors for the support in this first but not last competition of this nature:
Messe Frankfurt
Leaderquip
Launch Diagnostics
Messe Frankfurt Johannesburg
Premier Hotels Group
