Marcus Simmons is a motorsport media lifer. As a child he was a regular on the chalk banks of Thruxton – hence his unhealthy obsession with 1970s Formula 2 and F3 – before he became an MSA timekeeper at the age of 17. At 19, his reporting debut for Motoring News arguably overshadowed Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal as the sporting moment of June 1986, and he joined the staff in 1990 after graduating from his degree course in Plymouth. A parallel Formula First career – which was as incident-packed as his childhood exploits in show-jumping and hunter trials – finished when he wrote off his car and put himself in hospital in 1991.
Marcus initially moved to Autosport in the summer of 1996. Since then he had two stints as a freelancer and a brief spell as editor of Motor Sport magazine, during which the revered green cover was revived, before he rejoined Autosport from 2008-2025. He lives in Surrey with his wife (who, gratifyingly, grew up within earshot of Castle Combe), stepson, dog, cats and guitars, and additionally has two adult daughters, an extra stepson and a season ticket for Brentford FC.
Marcus moved to Autosport in the summer of 1996. Since then he has had two stints as a freelancer and a brief spell as editor of Motor Sport magazine, during which the revered green cover was revived, before he rejoined Autosport in 2008. He lives in Teddington with his wife (who, gratifyingly, grew up within earshot of Castle Combe), daughter, stepson, dog, cat and guitars, and additionally has an adult daughter and stepson.
Latest articles by Marcus Simmons
A fond farewell to a few BTCC favourites
How Ingram made his mark on the 2026 BTCC campaign – before going out with a bang
BTCC Brands Hatch: Cammish handed victory after Collard penalty
BTCC Brands Hatch: Ingram doubles up to secure runner-up spot in championship
BTCC Brands Hatch: Ingram wins after wonder move on Moffat
Sutton extends BTCC deal for five more years
BTCC Brands Hatch GP: Moffat leads throughout to beat Ingram in qualifying race
Multiple BTCC winner announces retirement
Hyundai engine builder off the grid for BTCC 2027
Line on course for move up table in Autosport National Rankings
Collard to make BTCC return for Brands Hatch finale
F1-linked karting stars who should be on your radar
Ginetta GT king Antrobus moves to top of Autosport National Rankings
What next for record-breaking BTCC champion Sutton?
How superb Sutton sealed the BTCC crown ‘his way’
BTCC Silverstone: Ingram victorious in wet finale
BTCC Silverstone: Record-breaker Sutton wins fifth title in style
BTCC Silvestone: Moffat wins after penalty overturned, Sutton made to wait for title
BTCC Silverstone: Doble takes qualifying race victory as series leaders struggle
BTCC Silverstone: Hyundai team in late-season engine switch
McInerney on the move in National Rankings
Smith on the move in Autosport National Rankings
Antrobus and Kay close to Autosport National Rankings table-topper
The weekend the BTCC said goodbye to its showman character
How sensational Sutton closed in on the BTCC title
BTCC Croft: Doble clear of drama in Croft crashfest
BTCC Croft: Sublime Sutton wins on hard tyres
BTCC Croft: Cook wins wet-weather thriller from Sutton
BTCC Croft: Cook dominates qualifying race
BTCC Croft: Mercedes on top again with Rowbottom
Grant shoots to the top of Autosport National Rankings table
Legends hero Needham goes top of Autosport National Rankings
The questions surrounding Plato Racing/CPRL after administration
How Morgan soared amid off-track team unrest
BTCC Donington Park: Morgan doubles up with dominant victory
BTCC Donington Park: Cammish beats Sutton for Ford 1-2 in race two
BTCC Donington Park: Morgan beats Sutton in opener
BTCC Donington Park: Morgan leads dominant 1-2 for Plato’s old team
BTCC Donington Park: Ingram leads practice from Doble
Antrobus knocking on door at top of Autosport National Rankings
Plato departs troubled BTCC team
BTCC race winner Lloyd replaces Dorlin at Restart Racing
Willmott and Thompson on the move in Autosport National Rankings
The multiple BTCC title fights to watch amid Sutton's domination
Why the BTCC remains unpredictable even with runaway title leader Sutton
BTCC Knockhill: Chilton sweeps race three
BTCC Knockhill: Sutton takes big stride towards title with victory
BTCC Knockhill: Morgan heads Plato Racing 1-2
BTCC Knockhill: Morgan claims qualifying race win for Plato team
BTCC Knockhill: Phoenix fire team on form
Four on the move in Autosport National Rankings
Kay keeps two-wins advantage with Elan spirit in Autosport National Rankings
Why the contentious regulations were a talking point again in BTCC's visit to Thruxton
How Sutton scorched rivals to extend BTCC lead at Thruxton
BTCC Thruxton: Ingram wins race three despite penalty to cut into Sutton’s lead
BTCC Thruxton: Sutton takes victory in race two after investigation
BTCC Thruxton: Cook holds off Sutton for opener win
BTCC Thruxton: Cook rustles up a tasty qualifying race win
BTCC Thruxton: Proctor substitutes for unwell Osborne, Smiley tops practice
Kay back to top of Autosport National Rankings