Eoin S. Young - R.I.P.

Just spare a kind thought - and maybe a prayer - for Eoin Young right now...  For many years the world's finest and most engaging motoring magazine columnist, sometime secretary to Bruce McLaren, then Gulf Oil's racing frontman for the media, latterly book and memorabilia wheeler-dealer - ESY has been having a tough time in recent years and is presently hopitalised in his native New Zealand.

DCN

Bad news, but thanks for letting us know. He must be going on in years quite a bit, how old is he? And something I always wondered about, how do you pronounce his first name?

Get well soon, Mr. Young!

And something I always wondered about, how do you pronounce his first name?

 

 

That's something that puzzled many over the years, especially Americans, but it's the same as the more conventionally spelled English name Ian.

Just spare a kind thought - and maybe a prayer - for Eoin Young right now...  For many years the world's finest and most engaging motoring magazine columnist, sometime secretary to Bruce McLaren, then Gulf Oil's racing frontman for the media, latterly book and memorabilia wheeler-dealer - ESY has been having a tough time in recent years and is presently hopitalised in his native New Zealand.

 

DCN

So sorry to hear that, Doug.  Somehow can't imagine the ebullient 'Eooingg' being under the weather - thoughts are definitely with him.

. 

... how old is he?

I knew that he has not been in good health for some time now and am very sorry to hear that he is in hospital. Always fun to be with, I send him my very best wishes.

I've just spoken with Eoin's good friend and collaborator Michael Clark in New Zealand, and he responded thus:

"Yes, poor old ESY went back into hospital yesterday. I spoke to him this morning and I’m pleased to report I got him laughing a bit when we talked about how our Kiwi boys had gone at Silverstone".

(Kiwis Mitch Evans and Ritchie Stanaway had wins in GP2 & 3 respectively, & Earl Bamber took 3rd place in the Porsche Supercup) 

Eoin is the epitomie of the creaking door! Get well soon, Eoin!

Edited by Giraffe, 09 July 2014 - 11:01.

Thanks for the pronunciation help, and his age - he's younger than I'd thought.

Best wishes and get well soon.

John

I devoured Eoin's column in my father's Autocars when I was a boy, and later came to enjoy his books, whether they were about drivers he invariably knew well or about himself - the first 'It Beats Working' is a joy. 

I wish him a swift return to good health, and more beating working! 

Paul

Eoin is best pronounced 'Ee-In' (by the British orficer class) as distinct from 'Ee-an' - and in ESY's case I never recall anyone close to him pronouncing his name 'Owen' as seems to be the case with the current international cricketer Eoin Morgan. He was also known as 'Buster' by some who have known him best. 

DCN

very sad to read this - ironically I am currently reading his book "It beats working" having bought it the other day

I have a pic of him with Bruce McLaren and McLarens Cooper, loading the car onto a trailer to be taken from Styles' Garage in East Victoria Park to Caversham for the 1962 AGP.   Hard to believe how young they all were. Eoin must have been about 23 at the time.   My mental image of him is still the little black-and-white photos that accompanied his by-line in the magazines.

Edited by Terry Walker, 09 July 2014 - 15:47.

Strong sustaining vibes headed his way. He's apparently getting less than he deserves, health-wise.

I wish him the best

Edited by GMiranda, 11 July 2014 - 08:44.

Thoughts and prayers on the way!

Very sorry to hear this.

Loved his Autocar column back then.

Get well soon Eoin.

Wishing him all the best - I'm a great fan of his informed writing

Get well soon, Eoin. The planet isn't the same with you in hospital.

Eoin accompanied Gavin Youl on his flight from England to Symmonds Plains in the Cessna 175 back in '61

So entertainingly described in "It beats working"

He's always fun to read because he injects his sense of humor & happiness into the sport. Keep writing & I promise to keep reading. Get well soon Eoin!

Used to buy old automotive books from Eoin and loved to read his printed catalog. Also really enjoyed his It Beats Working books, as I was also a shrimp-eating, champagne-sucking auto journo for 25 years. Get Well, Eoin!

Met him once, and I only knew him by reputation, which proved to be totally inaccurate. David Tremayne and I were looking at his stock of Land Speed Record books, and DJT found a title he had to have, but baulked at the price. He took it to Eoin, and said it wasn't worth that much, and I shall never forget Eoin's reply, "you know it's not worth that, even I know it's not worth that, but that's how much it costs". Character!! My best wishes to him.

Edited by f1steveuk, 13 July 2014 - 14:10.

Met him once, and I only knew him by reputation, which proved to be totally inaccurate. Davis Tremayne and I were looking at his stock of Land Speed Record books, and DJT found a title he had to have, but baulked at the price. He took to Eoin, and said it wasn't worth that much, ad I shall never forget Eoin's reply, "you know it's not worth that, even I know it's not worth that, but that's how much it costs". Character!! My best wishes to him.

Yes, I've heard that tale a few times with just minor variations in the wording, and that's Eoin, never knowingly underpriced.

Must be a line he used often!

I remember being at a Ferrari Concours event put on by the British Ferrari Owners Club in the 1990's. Eoin had a stand selling Ferrari memorabilia. Whilst glancing at his stock, I noticed an elderly couple looking at a 1950's Ferrari calalogues. After spotting something that he liked,the man turned to his companion and said "I think I will have this". He enquired with Eoin how much, with the reply six fifty. At this he opened his wallet and tendered a ten pound note, only to have Eoin state loudly 'no Sir, six hundred and fifty!

Message overnight from Michael Clark........

"Hey Tony – I spoke to ESY last night. When I’d spoken to him the day before, while he was still in hospital, he sounded dreadful but last night I said ‘It sounds like you’ve got another 20 years in you’ – so the old bugger bounces back again. Long may it continue. I flew down to Christchurch a couple of weekends ago because a film crew wanted to capture him talking about his life in motor racing. My role was to play the Michael Parkinson part – he handled it all superbly, all things considered.

Creaking door.....  

Edited by Giraffe, 16 July 2014 - 06:13.

good news!

From Allan Dick of Autonews NZ.......

THE FINAL LAP
Not such good news about Eoin S Young I am sorry. He was admitted to hospital on Monday and today is being transferred to St Winifreds which is likely to be for final care.
I went to Christchurch last Friday for lunch at his home with he and Tony Haycock and it was painfully obvious that he was fast approaching his final lap. Krissi was on hand to prepare the lunch and to assure him she would be back later.
Many people have helped on a daily basis to make life comfortable for ESY over these past few weeks — in particular Wardie, Tony H and Terry Marshall. But also a special mention to Krissi who either walked or caught the bus on a daily basis from the other side of Christchurch to look after him. Her sincerity and concern was heart-warming.
I confess I am writing this through a mist of tears as I tell you of a man who was both my inspiration and a person with whom I got into all sorts of desperate trouble over many years.
I know there are many, many people who would like ESY to know how much they care about the pleasure he's brought to them over so many years.
Cards and letters would show him just how large and widespread his fan base is.

Eoin S Young,
c/- St Winifred's Hospital,
10 St Winifred's Place,
Bryndwr,
Christchurch 8052

......& an update.....

Earlier today I posted a really sad message about the state of ESY's health and suggested that cards and letters would be appreciated. Because the situation is dire, I'd suggest you tell him how much you have appreciated his words and stories over the years rather than the usual "get well soon".
The address is
Eoin S Young,
c/- St Winifred's Hospital,
10 St Winifred's Lane
Bryndwr,
Christchurch 8052

If you would prefer to email the address is
kimberly.gaudin@rrcl.co.nz - mark it attention Eoin S Young.

Let's show the hospital they have a world famous person in their care.

That is very sad news, if it is any solace St Winifred's Christchurch is one of the best places for care in that lovely city.

No words  

Very sad to hear - reading his pieces in Autocar etc. was a big part of my formative years. :-(

Paul M

Sad news.   I remember with great affection his writings, back from, IIRC, the Tasman days.

Very sad to hear this. I once walked into the only motoring bookshop in Brisbane, and seeing a copy of "It Beats Working" snapped it up without even flicking through it - having read much of ESY's work and positive reviews of that book in particular I didn't see any need for further investigation.

Imagine my surprise and delight when I got it home and discovered it had been signed by the author the previous week

Email received today from Ms Gaudin of St Winifred's, for messages for ESY:
 
" ... I am not going to be working here from Friday onwards so here is the email address you will need to use Julie.best@rrcl.co.nz ."

Just came across the news of Eoin, I knew he been unwell for some time, I used to come across him on a regular basis, when I used to sell out of print books for a living, he had the BEST signature I have seen, it used to nearly cover all the cheque. I will spare a thought for him.

DMB

Since this thread started, I ordered from amazon, received and read "It Beats Working".  Sure enough, it has that signature in the front. 

Very sad to hear of his ill health-he lived a life all of us envied and entertained us by writing about it. 

a couple of visuals.........

i was fortunate enough to get to know eoin a little bit through my old friend gordon kirby. here are a couple of snaps of eoin and jeff hutchinson whom i also met through gk.

the second one of jeff is not the most flattering......

https://www.flickr.c...N03/14670683658

https://www.flickr.c...N03/14856929112

Edited by Marc Sproule, 08 August 2014 - 16:49.

If any body out there wants a book by ESY or other memorabilia, may I suggest you get it through Eoin's site: http://www.eoinyoung.com/

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I have heard from Amanda McLaren this morning that Eoin has passed away. RIP

I have heard from Amanda McLaren this morning that Eoin has passed away. RIP

Seeing this thread back at the top I had the feeling this was why.

Sad news, much great writing over the years.

Very sad news, before the age of the internet he kept us all so well informed of what was going on. Like Jenks he kept feeding the insatiable enthusiasts with what was going on before the internet and cable tv. Young, Jenks, Klementaski, they were as famous as the drivers. Their articles were so much better than todays sound bites.

Edited by mikeallen, 04 September 2014 - 09:12.