Simon Diffey, 1964-2022

The following obituary for our dear friend Simon Diffey was written by Marcus Pye and published by Autosport Magazine on 19 May 2022:

"The historic racing community is numbed by the death of Simon Diffey, among its most colourful alumni, in a road traffic accident on the A6 near Bedford last Saturday evening. Diffey, 57, was driving a vintage Bugatti T13 Brescia and was in an incident involving an ambulance answering an emergency call.

Luton-born Simon lived life to the full and, with his extraordinarily quick mind and (often outrageously irreverent) wit, was an irrepressible character, a natural entertainer. The outpouring of sadness at his passing across social media from around the world speaks volumes.

Raised in a family of printers, through which his professional eye for detail underpinned many club magazines, Diffey learned to drive in his father's 1926 Humber. Passionate about Bugatti and Lotus, his personality and prowess saw him entrusted with a plethora of cars, from hairy pre-war bodies through the 1950s' grand prix cars to slicks-and-wings single-seaters.

And the racer in the chequered-banded gold crash helmet pedalled them all with panache. Competing in Richard Collier's Bugatti T51 fulfilled a boyhood dream, as did exercising the Formula 1 Surtees T59B and F5000 TS8 from Professor John Monson's stable. More recently, racing his pair of famous Lotus FJuniors alongside dentist son George gave him particular pleasure.

A whirlwind force, with a penchant for creating exquisite lapel pints, he helped rivals in need and encouraged newcomers to the sport he loved, from Vintage Sports-Car Club trails to Goodwood and the Monaco GP Historique, where his wife Sarah was when the tragedy occurred.

Both previously married, Sarah Adams met Simon at Silverstone Historic Festival 20 years ago. "I fell in love with him at first sight," she said. Having just celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary, ironically work commitments meant this was the first Monaco Simon could not attend.

A liveryman of The Worshipful Company of Coachmakers of the City of London, Simon will be missed in many circles. However, you knew him, remember him with a smile and raise a glass because he will have enriched your life. RIP Diffmeister, reunited with your brother James (1966-2007), also taken too soon."

David Cottingham wrote,

"Simon was truly the kindest most caring, wise, witty, car and life-loving guy that I have ever known.

To have had Simon as a pal is something I treasure and now like all his many friends cannot really accept he will no longer be there to greet us in his cheery way and take such an interest in everyone he knew or met.

To have him co-drive with me in both my BMW 328 and AC Ace was the best of times.

As with Simon, I lost a close brother, and I know a day did not go by without Simon thinking about his brother James.

I believe this shared loss helped to bind our friendship, I am also sure that Simon's tragic loss of James helped to inspire him to be such a caring person.

Simon was a bright light in our often grey world and we must all try to help and care for others with a smile on our face in recognition of his shining example, and in memory of the best guy anyone could wish to meet."

The entire team at DK had worked closely with Simon over the years, in particular with regard to our booklets and Christmas Cards. Our entire team's thoughts are with his team at Merry Printers and of course his family.