On Thursday 19 September the third recipient of the prestigious Simon Diffey Heritage Motorsport Apprentice Award will receive a life-changing opportunity at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall. 

Created by Simon’s wife Sarah Jane Adams-Diffey and in collaboration with the Heritage Skills Academy, the Award seeks to honour and continue Simon’s passion and ethos for Historic Motorsport. It achieves this through recognising and encouraging the next generation of young Heritage Apprentice Engineers.   

A much-loved character in the historic motoring world, Simon ‘raced just about everything’ from his late teens onwards, from starting out with the Vintage Sports Car Club to becoming a works driver for Classic Team Lotus. 

“It was Simon who put me into a car and said, we should get you a race licence!” comments Sarah, in memory of her late husband. 

“It was never you can’t… he always believed you can! He wanted to share the love when it came to getting youngsters behind the wheel of a car. I came from a family where women were more often seen to be ‘pushing and polishing’ rather than driving and it was Simon who encouraged me to achieve my MSA race license and embrace classics. I competed in a Type 13 Bugatti we had on loan and ran around in Austin Sevens for many years, culminating in me buying my own Type 35B, all thanks to his encouragement.” 

The reward will see one apprentice, currently a part of the Heritage Skills Academy UK-wide programme in the classic motoring sector, benefit from; 

•        A one-month secondment with a race team
•        A £3,000 grant to cover the cost of accommodation, travel and subsistence during this secondment
•        The experience of at least one international Historic Motorsport event 
•        The chance to obtain an ARDS race licence, supplied by Motorsport UK

The winner will be announced through social media on the first day of The Goodwood Revival 2024, with Mr Stuart Pringle, CEO of Silverstone circuit, presenting the award on behalf of His Royal Highness, Prince Michael of Kent GCVO, at the September celebratory reception. 

“We are asking young people to learn and continue the ‘dark art’ of heritage engineering but they might not have the chance to experience what if feels like to get behind the wheel of a classic car. Simon believed passionately in creating these opportunities.” Sarah adds. 

Those within the Motorsport UK community who wish to honour the memory of Simon Diffey and support the work of the Heritage Skills Academy can purchase their tickets for the event here:

bit.ly/DiffeyAward2024