The mighty Newcastle Knights are not the only Novocastrians competing on the world stage in Vegas. Daracon Group’s Tim Lamb is on the trip of a lifetime in Las Vegas this week to compete in the Cat® Global Operator Challenge Finals on 3 March at CONEXPO 2026. 

His place among nine of the world’s best machine operators comes after a year of competition success, culminating in a podium finish at the Asia Pacific Regional Semi-Final in Japan. 

Tim’s journey began with the NSW Heats and his subsequent victory at the NSW State Final, hosted by WesTrac, where he demonstrated the precision, speed and technical ability that have now made him one of Australia’s top competitors. 

He then went on to claim third place at the Asia Pacific Regional Final, outperforming operators from across the region while also earning the coveted Excavator Champion title. 

Tim said the opportunity felt surreal.

“Up until this trip to Japan, I had never travelled overseas – and now I’ve got a ticket to Vegas to compete against the world’s best,” he said following the regional final. 

Daracon Group’s Plant & Transport Divisional Manager, Cory Hay said the entire organisation is behind Tim as he prepares for the global stage.

“Tim’s success is a reflection of his dedication and technical ability, as well as the ethos Daracon was founded on – having the best people and the best equipment. The whole team will be cheering him on as he heads to Las Vegas.” 

CONEXPO is the largest construction event in North America, and the Cat® Global Operator Challenge is widely known in the industry as the ultimate test of operating skill, putting elite competitors through high-pressure tasks.

IMAGE | Daracon Group’s Tim Lamb is in Las Vegas for the Cat® Global Operator Challenge Finals.