Arthur Fletcher – Apprenticed to Woolmer Classic Engineering Ltd
The Award Patron, Sarah Jane Adams-Diffey, judges, Andy Dee-Crowne, CEO of the Historic
Sport Car Club (HSCC) and Charlie Hamilton of Chilli Engineering, the Award 2026 Mentor,
plus the Directors of the Heritage Skills Academy (HSA), are delighted to announce that
Arthur Fletcher, an apprentice and employee of Woolmer Classic Engineering Ltd, has been
selected as the worthy winner of ‘The Simon Diffey Heritage Motorsport Apprentice Award
2026’.
Year five of this award came with a very healthy entry list of applicants. After an intense
initial round of judging of the 14 strong apprentice nominations, approved by their
employers, they were then whittled down to three finalists. Final interviews took place at
the Royal Automobile Club, Woodcote Park, on 19 July 2026, followed by a drinks reception.
Arthur met the judge’s criteria at interview, with aplomb, demonstrating his engineering
skills, passion, enthusiasm, and exceptional commitment as a team player during his
apprenticeship, and importantly with a clear desire to go racing.
Arthur Fletcher, aged 19, joined Woolmer Classic Engineering in 2025 and began his
apprenticeship with Heritage Skills Academy in February 2025. He is in year two of his
apprenticeship as an engineering technician. Arthur is proving to be an outstanding young
automotive engineer committed to engineering excellence. Woolmer Classic Engineering is
Arthur’s first employment within the industry, which is a family-owned business who
specialise in the preparation of both classic road and motorsport cars, plus customer race
and rally support to major motorsport events both in the UK and internationally.
The Award Presentation Event
The award will be presented to Arthur by Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman, the Royal Automobile
Club, at an exciting new style pop up awards ceremony hosted by Peter Snowdon, the voice
of Goodwood Revival radio, at the Tyrell Shed during the Goodwood Revival presented by Dunlop, on
Sunday 20 September 2026 at 11 a.m. All are welcome to join us and congratulate Arthur.
Award Lead Judge, Andy Dee-Crowne, CEO of the HSCC, commented: “Arthur was an
outstanding candidate for the Diffey Award, demonstrating confidence, enthusiasm, and
authenticity throughout his interview. He communicated his experiences clearly, gave
thoughtful and engaging responses, and showed a genuine understanding of the values
behind the award. His positive attitude and ability to reflect on the difference he has made
really stood out, making him a strong and deserving candidate.”
Award Judge and Mentor for 2026 Charlie Hamilton, Director of Chilli Engineering
commented: “Arthur’s knowledge and passion for historic motorsport was something which
couldn’t be missed and I know Simon would have been impressed. He thoroughly deserved
to be this year’s award winner.”
Commenting, Sarah Jane Adams-Diffey said: “I am delighted that Arthur is our winner for
2026. His knowledge of historic motorsport at such a young age and his enthusiasm for all
things James Hunt, his idol, demonstrated the Diffey sparkle that we were looking for.”
About the Simon Diffey Heritage Motorsport Apprentice Award
The award was established by Sarah Jane Adams-Diffey in memory of her late husband and
well-known historic racing driver, Simon Diffey, who was killed aged 57 in a road accident in
May 2022. The aim is to continue in perpetuity Simon’s ethos of recognising and
encouraging the next generation of young heritage apprentice engineers through
opportunity.
Award Prize
As the recipient of The Simon Diffey Heritage Motorsport Apprentice Award 2026, Arthur
Fletcher will receive the following:
- One month working with Blakeney Motorsport during the race season in the summer
of 2027 - Attendance at one international race with Blakeney Motorsport
- £3,000 to help with subsistence and travel
- Motorsport UK will supply a free race licence pack which is required to apply for the ARDS test in order to gain a motor racing competition licence
- Private race tuition ahead of the ARDS test with Will Nuthall and Martin Stretton
- ARDS test supported by Silverstone to gain a racing licence
- Alpinestars will gift Arthur with a new race suit and full racing kit, including shoes and gloves
- Arai will supply a new helmet
- The HSCC will provide free entry into a suitable race series for a set number of races with the award’s MGB GT.
The Award Patron, Sarah Jane Adams-Diffey, Simon’s wife, would like to publicly thank and is
most grateful for the support of new supporters for 2026, The Vintage Sports Car Club and
Lifeline, plus current supporters; Heritage Skills Academy, The Royal Automobile Club
Goodwood, Silverstone, Motorsport UK, MS(UK), FIA Girls on Track, Magneto magazine,
Octane magazine, Alpinestars, Martin Stretton, Arai, Andy Dee-Crowne, HSCC, Secondment
partners: Classic Team Lotus, Ecurie Bertelli, GTO Engineering & Bell Sport & Classic, IN
Racing, and our new secondment partner for 2026, Blakeney Motorsport.
With thanks to our mentors: Nick Lyford, Will Nuthall, Martin Overington, John Worth and,
our new mentor for 2026, Charlie Hamilton. Thanks also to the award winner’s employers,
Jim Stokes, The Splined Hub, P&K Thornton restorations, Road & Competition Engineering
Ltd, and our new 2026 award winner’s employer, Woolmer Classic Engineering, plus all the
award helpers including Karen Coe, inaugural award winner Emilia Brown and Yellow Fox
Racing, and Professor Peter Stevens plus those who have made financial donations to
support the award in Simon’s memory.
-ENDS-
