Simon Heptinstall is a former taxi driver and garage manager who eventually switched to motor journalism. Since his career change he has helped to launch BBC Top Gear magazine and worked as a researcher for the BBC's Extreme Machines and Big Boys' Toys series with Jeremy Clarkson.

He has also conducted research for Autocar, AutoExpress, What Diesel and Redline magazines. He edited the Goldfish Guides to cars and commercial vehicles and worked as an editor on The Complete Book of the Car. Heptinstall has been an editorial consultant for Toyota, Peugeot, Lexus and BMW. He once set a world record for motoring madness by driving to twelve countries.all in one day.