Celebrated New Zealand motorsport journalist Eoin Young has died in Christchurch Hospital.

Young had been admitted to St Winifred’s hospice in late July before being transferred to hospital to spend his final hours.

Young, who turned 75 earlier this year, was a former bank worker who then travelled to England and worked with Denny Hulme in junior categories in 1961 before becoming secretary to Bruce McLaren.

In 1963 Young became a founding director of McLaren where he stayed until 1966 before starting his own company.

One of his first published works was a column in Road & Track magazine in 1968 which was to trigger a revered career as a well connected journalist covering the top of world motor racing.

Young developed into a respected journalist who penned an assortment of classic books during a fabulous career, among them Against All Odds documenting James Hunt’s 1976 world championship.

His extensive body of work included Bruce McLaren, the man and his racing team, Jim Clark and his most successful Lotus, McLaren Memories, a biography of Bruce McLaren and Classic Racers – New Zealand’s Grand Prix Greats and Memories of the Bear about the 1967 F1 world champion Denny Hulme.

In more recent times, Young penned Forza Amon, a biography for Chris Amon, the former 13-year grand prix veteran and 1966 Le Mans 24 Hour champion.

Autocar magazine in the UK ran Young’s motor racing column for 32 years.

Young will be remembered as being a trailblazer in the field of motor racing journalism who inspired several generations of writers to follow his well chosen path.

Speedcafe.com passes on its condolences to Eoin’s family and extensive network of friends.