The biggest and most thrilling trade competition in the UK reached its climax at Toolfair Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey, on 11th November 2011, with Pete Davies from Chester emerging triumphant.

Bolder, more exciting and with more at stake than ever before, this year has seen more than 5,000 professional tradesmen compete at more than 100 events across the UK & Ireland, until Pete Davies eventually drove off with the grand prize of a Nissan NV200 Van filled with IRWIN Tools – a prize worth over £25,000.
The 32 finalists descended on Sandown Park to compete against each other in a tense knockout tournament that saw bouts being decided by mere 100ths of seconds. Going head-to-head in unseen challenges involving cutting, clamping, measuring, marking and drilling, some of the UK’s premier tradespeople demonstrated a wide variety of impressive technical skills.

Highlights over the two days included steadfast finalists from previous years being ousted by unknown newcomers, and even a spot of sibling rivalry when brothers Tony and John Purcell met each other in the quarter-finals. The competition continued until only two were left – Seb Griffin and Pete Davies. The two lightning-fast tool-wielding titans took to the stage to the applause and enthusiastic encouragement of the crowd, which spilled over into the walkways around the IRWIN stand.

First blood in the best-of-five competition went to Pete, before Seb fought hard to level it at 1-1, in a series of bouts where only the smallest of margins separated them.

With it all to play for, Pete just pipped Seb in the next two rounds to emerge victorious and claim the keys to his prize from Howard Jones, the Sales Director of IRWIN Tools UK.

Pete Davies, who graciously donated some of his prize tools to runner-up Seb Griffin said: “What a day. It’s been a fantastic competition and I’d like to dedicate the win to my wife for being so supportive. I still can’t quite believe it!”

Ian Birdsall, Channel Marketing Manager at IRWIN said: “This year’s competition has been fantastic. Trade professionals throughout the UK have really embraced the challenge and practiced hard, leading to a hugely exciting competition. Look out for the IRWIN team in 2012, as we’ve got some big plans in the pipeline.”

The IRWIN Tools sales promotion alongside CHALLENGE IRWIN is still running; every IRWIN Tool purchased for the remainder of the promotion result in the individual being entered into a prize draw, with one lucky customer going on to win an amazing Nissan 370Z sports car worth over £30,000.