Everything you need to know about the Cat® Global Operator Challenge 2025/2026

The Cat Global Operator Challenge (GOC) returned in 2025. This event is run by Caterpillar® and Cat dealers in every country. GOC is a global competition designed to find out who is the best equipment operator in the world.

GOC is more than an event; it’s where legends are born. This is the ultimate test of skill, control and determination for a chance to prove you have what it takes to stand above the rest. Those who come out on top will cement their place in history and inspire the next generation to keep pushing the boundaries of what they can achieve.

prizes

Grand Prize (Global Winner)

The ultimate prize is becoming the GOC champion and being declared the "World's Best Operator"; a glory that was bestowed on Patrick Doheny from Melbourne back in 2023 after he took home the trophy at the Grand Final, which took place in an arena at ConExpo Las Vegas.

In addition to this, Patrick was awarded a trip for two anywhere in the world where there was a Cat dealership. 

This time around - the Grand Prize is US$10,000 cash (or an equal value trip for two anywhere in the world where there is a Cat dealership).

Semi-Final Prize (Regional Winners)

The top three winners of the Asia Pacific Regional GOC Semi-Final will each be awarded a trip to Las Vegas in 2026. This prize consists of:

• Round trip airfares
• Hotel accommodation
• All meals

State Final Prize

The winner of each state final will be awarded a trip to the Asia Pacific Regional GOC Semi-Final in Japan in late October 2025. This prize consists of:

• Round trip airfares
• Hotel accommodation
• All meals

the local heats (completed)

WesTrac ran local qualifying heats in the lead up to the state final. In NSW, the heats ran from 17 to 21 March 2025. In WA, the heats ran from 25 to 27 February 2025.

NSW Heats Videos

• CTL Challenge
• Wheel Loader Challenge
• CTL Challenge 2 - Showing ball drop

WA Heats Videos

• Highlights reel
• Sneak peek

the state finals (COMPLETED)

WesTrac ran local final events in each state, in the lead up to the Asia Pacific Regional Final in Japan. The winner of the state final was crowned the "Best Operator" in that state and received an "all expenses paid" trip to the APAC Final in late October for two people.

In NSW, the final occurred on 28 March 2025. In WA, the final occurred on 7 March 2025.

New South Wales Winner

Operator Tim Lamb from Daracon Group has become New South Wales’ best Cat machinery operator.

• Read Media Release
• Welcome to the NSW Final Video
• Andrew Moussa from Groundlvl Media gives a recap of the event

Western Australia Winner

Open Pit Supervisor Max Harris from Boulder was been crowned Western Australia’s best Cat machinery operator.

• Read Media Release
• Welcome to the WA Final Video
• Celebrating Cat 100 Years

The challenges (COMPLETED)

Here are some of the videos and content of the challenges that we ran in NSW and WA:

The Big Dig

• Machine: Medium Excavator
• Technology: Cat Grade

NSW videos

• Tim Lamb (winner) gives it his best shot
• Ty Fenwick proves he has the Midas touch

WA videos

• Jake Myers trying to get the filter into the hole
• Nick Duma has a big crack
• The pressure is real and the crowd is loving it

The Load & Go

• Machine: Medium Wheel Loader
• Technology: Cat Payload

NSW videos

• Jack Divall does a lap

WA videos

• Ben Hayward completes the challenge
• Luke Davis (prong14) flies around the track

Stay on the Track

• Machine: Compact Track Loader
• "Step into the spotlight and showcase balance and material control skills"

NSW videos

• Joseph Newton puts the ball in the bucket
• Jack Divall puts the hoop on the ripper

WA videos

• The Cat 255 is put to the test
• Part 2 of the challenge involved lining up 5 tires with an excavator