Renault holds first Best Technical Advisor contest

The competition, also known as "Cotech Challenge", selects the top performers who are awarded Highest Level of Technological Advancement. The event was held on the sidelines of its participation in the Formula One Grand Prix in the Kingdom of Bahrain and gave contestants to pitch their skills against the finest in the motoring business.

Ahmed Sherif El Desowki from Renault's Saudi dealership emerged as the lucky winner who can spend the Formula One weekend with Renault drivers and will be assigned tasks to play an active role in the maintenance and service of the competing cars during the F1 Grand Prix race.

"We are pleased to announce the winner in this challenging competition which selects the best of the best and encourages Renault employees to work harder and achieve job satisfaction. It is the least we can do to thank them for their tremendous effort and dedication they have to further building the Renault brand," commented Mohammed Bennani, Managing Director at Renault GCC.

The competition ran from February to March 2008 with one session held weekly followed by written and practical tests.

Around 25 participants from Middle East, GCC and North Africa were asked to work on a range of Renault automobiles of different sizes and characteristics and solve problems that included using the various Renault Systems.

El Desowki, an Egyptian national, was one of six participants from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and works with Renault's Saudi importer Zahid Tractor.

He also received the Cotech accreditation in July 2007 and has now completed 4 years with Zahid Tractor in Dammam, KSA. He has a total of 10 years experience in automotive maintenance and service.

El Desowki has a BSc in automotive studies from the Faculty of Engineering in Helwan University, Egypt where he graduated top of his class.

"I am thrilled to have taken part in this competition and it gives me great honour to represent Renault's Saudi importer and all my colleagues during the biggest race of the year here in Bahrain," he said.

"I got the chance to meet face to face with icons such as Fernando Alonso, Nelson Piquet Jr. and Lucas Di Grassi. It is not everyday that one gets this opportunity and I look forward to share my experience with my family, friends and colleagues once I am back in Saudi Arabia," El Desowki added.