91 replies to this topic

[sterling49]

Very sad newsbut not unexpected., 

[Macca]

Very sad indeed, a fine writer whose close contacts in racing enabled him to give his readers great insights.....another link with the past gone.

 

I'll think of him with an extra tear when I'm in the McLaren garden at Goodwood next week.

 

 

Paul M

[cpbell]

R.I.P.  One of the last of the great age of motorsport writers.

[GMiranda]

Indeed, sad but expected news for the recent news

[Ray Bell]

As mentioned, some of his last work is to be the Tasman Cup book...

Sadly, he's not the only one who contributed and won't see the book. A state of affairs we have unfortunately to face all too often these days.

[Keir]

We still have his life's work to enjoy. Forza Eoin

[Doug Nye]

There seems to be some confusion right now regarding whether or not the news is correct...

 

DCN

[Geoff Smedley]

Haven't seen Eoin for many years but knowing he is no longer with us is a sad feeling that is happening far too often at this time, but thanks Eoin Young for your great contribution to world motor sport and some very nice memories of earlier times.

[layabout]

Eoin is, in fact, gravely ill, but he is still with us as of late on the 4th. His family is at his side & I would suggest that we suspend our condolences and let them deal with the situation. Our thoughts & prayers are with them.

[Allen Brown]

Doug is right.  Just before bedtime last night (NZ time, so six hours ago), Amanda McLaren said on Facebook that he was still with us but not expected to last the night.  Maybe the positive thoughts on this thread are keeping him going.

 

Allen

[PCC]

There seems to be some confusion right now regarding whether or not the news is correct...

 

DCN

How appropriate it would be for Eoin to pull a Mark Twain... "The report of my death was an exaggeration."

[Vitesse2]

In view of the above - and various postings along the same lines on Facebook - I have restored the original thread title.

[Giraffe]

Doug is right.  Just before bedtime last night (NZ time, so six hours ago), Amanda McLaren said on Facebook that he was still with us but not expected to last the night.  Maybe the positive thoughts on this thread are keeping him going.

 

Allen

Amanda had earlier posted that Eoin had passed away, but later amended that.

 

How appropriate it would be for Eoin to pull a Mark Twain... "The report of my death was an exaggeration."

The exact sentiment I posted earlier today on the Facebook thread. As the ultimate creaking door, I thought Eoin might be amused if he knew..............

Edited by Giraffe, 04 September 2014 - 15:47.

[Twin Window]

According to Maurice Hamilton, as of UK lunchtime Eoin was still with us, albeit in intensive care.

Please let us try not to get ahead of ourselves regarding a subject as sensitive as this.

[Catalina Park]

Allan Dick has confirmed on facebook about three hours ago that Eoin has passed away this morning.

[layabout]

Yes, Eoin passed away peacefully with Sandra at his side at 10.45am NZ time. Good bye and God bless.

[barrykm]

RIP Eoin.

[David Birchall]

RIP.  Condolences to family and friends.  He lived a good life.

[Giraffe]

A post made by Tony Haycock, Editor of Classic Driver Magazine in NZ some 3 hours ago..........

 

Just after 10.30am this morning, my mate Eoin Young finally gave up the fight he has been battling for some time and passed away. It doesn't seem real that Wednesday was my last Brewers Arms lunch with New Zealand's best selling and best known international writer, historian, raconteur, teller of tales and just all round decent guy... unless of coursre for whatever reason he decided he didn't like you! 
Right now he will be arranging his table to watch Practice One from Monza. Back with his beloved Monk, sharing a drink with Sarge, Jenks, Bruce and Denny. 
It was only when I had the privilge of attending the Goodwood Festival of Speed with ESY on a couple of occasions that I saw the esteem in which he was (and still will be) held by his collagues, competiotors and motoring enthusiats. 
From we normal people who were lucky enough to be admitted to his "inner circle" it opened doors to places and experiences we could never have imagined. 
All good things must come to an end, but doesn't make it any easier for those left behind. Thoughts are with Sandra and Alfie, not to mention Eoin's legion of friends and followers.

[Catto]

I met Eoin a few times in New Zealand over the years I lived there - I've posted a few photos on my blog this afternoon.  So sorry to hear of his passing, he was a lovely guy to hang out with for a pint (or many)...

R

[Nick Planas]

Such sad news, if not unexpected. Sincerest condolences to all of his family and many friends.

[GMiranda]

RIP

[jj2728]

RIP

 

John

[JacnGille]

We'll miss ya.

[PCC]

Maurice Hamilton has written a nice tribute here.

[Doug Nye]

In essence dear old Maurice says it all - Oyn was a chameleon character - fly, quick-witted, hugely entertaining, dismissive of any problem whether genuine or imagined or suspected, enormously friendly, helpful, a great promoter not only of himself (which he certainly always did very well) but also of others, a ready mentor for upcoming talent and...in the end...a brave, brave, indomitable proper Bloke.  My thoughts are very much with former wife Sandra, grandson Alfie and Eoin's many, many close friends and associates right now.  

 

DCN

[pete53]

Does anyone else remember Eoin's column "Young at heart" which used to appear in the now largely forgotten AUTO NEWS newspaper that was around in the UK in the mid-60s ( every Thursday for ninepence)?

That was the first time I came across his writing - I have a copy from June 1966 in front of me now with a photo of a youthful Eoin.

 

RIP

Edited by pete53, 05 September 2014 - 14:47.

[PCC]

And Joe Saward has added his thoughts here - presumably written from the Monza paddock.

 

To be regarded so warmly by one's peers is the mark of an exceptional person.

[Doug Nye]

Some of Eoin's best writing emerged in the column he ghosted for Bruce McLaren in 'Autosport'.  I always remember 'Bruce's tribute to Teddy Mayer after he, Eoin, Tyler Alexander and Wally Willmott had lost their team-mate and friend, and Teddy Mayer his brother, at Longford, Tasmania, in 1965...  Eoin's words for the thoughts and sentiment that he and Bruce plainly shared were just very special indeed.  He was a man of enormous talent who in later life just got some of the basics rather muddled, to his immense eventual disadvantage and to his many caring friends' continual alarm.  Now rest easy mate...in peace.  You left deep tyre tracks by which to be remembered...and many affectionate memories...

 

DCN

[Alan Cox]

Although anticipated, this is still very sad news to hear. I have very fond memories of the meetings I had with ESY in the later years of his career, often in the company of that other New Zealand journalist and writer, David McKinney. Enjoyable times and I am pleased to have known him a little.

Here is a photo I particularly like, of Eoin in conversation with an old friend of his, Mike Knight, at Angouleme 20 years ago this year.

Edited by Alan Cox, 05 September 2014 - 21:54.

[Michael Ferner]

Good bye, Eoin!

[Richard Jenkins]

Our paths crossed just the once, in 2010, when the late David McKinney helped facilitate contact with Eoin for help with pictures of New Zealand racing drivers for WATN.

 

Eoin was quick to reply with an email and helped with Chris Amon's profile, and for that, I was - and always will be - appreciative.

 

How dreadfully sad we've lost two gigantic New Zealand motor racing historians in the same year. My thoughts are with his family, friends and TNF'rs that knew him.

 

 

[cooper997]

I only ever met up with Eoin once. It was June 25, 1997 while in the UK. A day or so before, I had phoned him on whether he had any Cooper literature. He did and I was welcome to visit him at his Effingham, Surrey base. The brave bit was getting there from North London by car.

 

I arrived at the address, not really knowing what to expect, to find a VW Golf and Daimler sitting in the driveway. Yes it was the correct address, as Eoin welcomed me into to his Alladdin's cave of motoring trinkets. Take your pick and he had some interesting stuff. I was just a case of could I afford it.

 

While there, he was watching the clock because he was due to pick up a New Zealand couple from the local station. He left me to keep browsing and answer the phone for him if need be. Alas, in a time when the mobile phone was less prevalent he arrived back without them.

 

Ultimately I recall purchasing some Cooper items, including a few period photos and some BRM items too. I had less than £100 on me and expected to be using the plastic. But Eoin was very keen to see the cash before any plastic. He took all the cash and no plastic was used IIRC. But that wasn't so bad because in seeking out a bank afterwards, I stumbled upon Brooklands.

 

While there, I asked if I could take his photo and without too much encouragement he was asking "How would you like me to pose?" The following is one of them. Probably appropriate as he would have written a few columns at the desk.

 

greenshot

 

Having lived the 'Boys Own Adventure' in motor racing, rest easy Eoin knowing many enthusiasts have been kept informed from your anecdotes. But as the next chapter begins make sure you arrive notebook handy to report 'From the cockpit' on what Brabham, McLaren and Hulme have been getting up to.

 

To his family and many friends my condolences.

 

Stephen Dalton

[Graham Gauld]

Eoin

One of the greats. He deserves credit for warmy promoting the NZ drivers to Europe. he worked hard and his memorabilia outlet was one of the first to latch on to motor sport fans' interest in personal racing memorabilia. sure we were all amazed at the values he put on things and I often wondered what price he put on my Porsche toboggan he persuaded me to sell to him. Great company, wish he had controlled his health better but we all have our weaknesses. We will miss you.

[Coral]

I'm very sad to hear this news. RIP Eoin.

[Nanni Dietrich]

Sad sad news.

[PCC]

In essence dear old Maurice says it all.

He has added a lovely piece here, on the Mclaren website.

[cooper997]

Hopefully this is readable, in essence this relates to what Eoin was very good at and in his own words "Being a gypsy motor racing journalist roaming the world..." was no doubt what he lived for. It's his contribution to the 4/4/63 issue of Motoring News, about travelling with his mates and the racing cars from the New Zealand leg of the 1963 International races to the Australian races - so pre-Tasman series. No big transporters, no huge squad of mechanics, but lots of mischief and the odd bit of danger!

 

pic hosting

 

Stephen

[DMB81]

Sad News, not unexpected, heard recently that Eoin had benn sent a draft of a forthcoming book by a leading light of Formula 1 of the past 40 years or so, hope he passed, reading it with a smile on his face.

DMB

[RobertE]

What a pity - I liked him. His work was, as others have said, part of my wallpaper. RIP...

[group7]

sad news, my condolences to his family. have many of the books he has written over the years. keep dipping into them again and again, great stories !

 

not to side track, but does any one know the situation with the McLaren trust site? the news of Eoin's passing was the first update in almost a year.

 

mike/group7 in canada 

[cooper997]

It was Eoin's farewell yesterday (Sat) in his New Zealand homeland.

There's a brief report on the New Zealand-based TRS forum by Malcolm McLeod.
http://www.theroarin...LE-Eoin-S-Young

Stephen