John and Mike Young

[RAP]

In the early '60s I was a great fan of John and Mike Young who raced maroon Ford Anglias entered by Superspeed Conversions. Can anyone provide background on these guys? I assume they were brothers. In particular, are they the same chaps as the J and M Young that raced A type Connaughts in the mid '50s. Heck of a coincidence if not.

[gfm]

They had a Ford Dealership in Essex didn't they. Beautiful cars. There were a few 'specialists' from that neck of the woods. We could just imagine interesting 'conversions' done round the back of the Dagenham plant.
The one I remember the best was Brian Peacock who was a Brands specialist, with a Twink Anglia, who was a Ford development engineer. Very quick club car around 1968.

[Andrew Kitson]

I think Mike Young's original superspeed Anglia is still raced in historic saloons by Glen Maskell.

[mickj]

Was Colin Hawker of 'DFVW' and the Tolman Capri fame a mechanic at the Youngs dealership?.

[Dan Rear]

Is this Mike Young the same one who raced the Supervee Modus in 75, then F3 the next year ??

[David McKinney]

Wasn't he a furriner?
Or am I thinking of someone else?

[Steve Wood]

John and Mike Young were favourites of mine too, in the sixties. They ran a garage, and I think, Superspeed, in Ilford, Essex. Mike was in his early twenties in the mid-sixties, so I very much doubt if they were the Connaught pair. From the notes in a Crystal Palace programme at the time, I got the impression he hadn't been racing long.

I believe John, until recently, and maybe still, raced either a Mustang or Camaro in historic events.

[RAP]

Thanks to all for contributions. John Y started with a 100E Anglia but I recall that Mike did not seem to appear until about 1962 so it figures that he was the younger. I have dug out a photo in Autosport 5/8/55 of Michael F Young alongside his Connaught. Its difficult to tell but he doesn't look in his 'teens which would be the case if he was the Anglia Mike as Steve says.

[David McKinney]

I've been hoping someone might come up with a definitive answer to the original question.
I'm fairly sure the Connaught John and Mike were not related to each other. Equally, if one of them had been a teenager I'm sure the magazines would have mentioned it

[Steve Wood]

Just looking at the programme for Crystal Palace,31/7/65, which features a profile of Mike Young. I'll mention the salient points.

Aged 21........began career in March 1962 in 997 Anglia....
..won class at Crystal Palace in September 1962......now driving 1650 Anglia in Spring Grove championship. The rest is just how he likes the circuit, and some of his 1964 Crystal Palace results.

The back cover of the 18/5/64 programme features an advert for Small Car magazine, and is a very stylish profile of another Anglia ace, Chris Craft.

[RAP]

Steve. Thanks, that's certainly conclusive on Mike. Can anyone nail John ?? Chris Craft's "Orange Peel " Anglia brings back the memories too, plus Alan Peer's dark green one.
Richard

[ianselva]

I think you'll find Chris called his Anglia - Orange Box.

[Slowcoach]

re Steve Wood's comment about John racing until recently a Camaro or Mustang. I think he shares both of the aforementioned with Alec Hammond although I think the Mustang was advertised for sale recently in Autosport - theres a phone number there so you might be able to call and speak to the man himself......I think they did some of the top hat stuff this year and have certainly raced extensively in the Camaro over the last 3 or 4 years.

[Bob Westwood]

Hi, I am new to this forum, there was a posting about Superspeed anglias and the Young brothers(a while ago) , I worked for John Young during these heady day at Superspeeds building and preparing the Anglias and Escorts etc for group 2 and Group 5
Regs, I may be able to help with info on these time if still interested. Regards
Bob Westwood

[Haydn]

Bob, I remember your name through I think an article or a forum to do with Holbay. Also from memory you were/are an Aussie. Amazing how people actively involved with motorsport from 40+ years ago pop up in forums.

You would possibly remember the immaculate presentation of the Superspeed cars. I am fortunate to be "the custodian" of the "Superspeed Lola" F.J. owned by John Young and driven by Peter Ashdown during 1962 (Mk.5). This car appeared on the grid in as new condition at every meeting in the U.K. and also when raced in Australia in the mid 60's.

I believe there may have been a connection between John Young and Lola Cars in the early 60's as many Lola openwheelers of this era were fitted with Superspeed engines.

Would welcome further info re the Young brothers history.

Cheers

HaydnM

[GeeRam]

Would this be the same Mike Young that had a RS Ford specialist garage out Ilford way back in the mid to late '80's...?

[Steve Beale]

The Dealership used to be in Ley Street, Ilford. I have been away from the area now for thirty years so do not know if it is still there. I can remember walking past one day on my way home from school and having a sly look in the workshop at the racing Anglias being worked on. Unfortunatley the mechanics did not appreciate a couple of snotty nosed kids peering on and told us to clear off. If my memory serves me right didnt Chris Craft drive one of the cars?

[Anuauto]

When my RS2000 was stolen in 1987 and I had to claim on my insurance company for its value, I sent them copies of Youngs' then current adverts for similar cars to support my claim. You may draw conclusions from that, but I could not possibly comment as to why I chose them over any others.
The Superspeed 1300 class Anglia colour was more of a dark red than the true maroon used by the 1000 class Broadspeed Anglias. Chris Craft certainly drove them in 1966.

[GeeRam]

Originally Posted by Anuauto

When my RS2000 was stolen in 1987 and I had to claim on my insurance company for its value, I sent them copies of Youngs' then current adverts for similar cars to support my claim. You may draw conclusions from that, but I could not possibly comment as to why I chose them over any others.

Hopefully that worked in your favour. I had to deal with many disgruntled owners where it worked in the opposite way

[Bob Westwood]

Hi Haydn,
Yes you are right I am an Aussie, I remember the car that you speak about,
I joined just after that time when John was racing an Anglia lic no JY 100.This use
to beat any saloon at the time and was only beaten one by Mustang of Alan Mann
Racing.It alway beat the twin cam Anglias because it was all steel pushrod engine
of 1860cc yes 1860 and it realydid rev to 8000rpm with power still there it had jag size valves and a hemi shaped head. It was a work of art .They could not get big enough valves in the twin cams an then they could not rev them as the toucheh each other!
Sorry got carried away. If you want , ask anything and I will help if I know?? The early
f junior cars I dont know much about except to begin with they gave about 85bhp
Regards Bob Westwood

[jonners]

I believe the Superspeed red/maroon was an Aston Martin colour.

Very sadly, Glen Maskell is no longer with us. I remember spreaking with him on several occasions in the late 80's about his Superspeed Anglia. He told me that it was the team's spare car and had been in a lock up at the back of a block of flats for years. It had the original 1000cc engine complete with Superspeed rocker cover but in the championship he was racing in he was nowhee in the one litre class so put a bigger engine in.

Have some photos somewhere but not digital unfortunately

[Gerry Taylor]

I had my first race at Brands Hatch in 1964. In a mini. In that race was John Young in an amazingly fast Anglia! At that time I recall they (Mike & John) were Brands Hatch specialists, and didn't venture too much further, but they were quick round there. The other quick Anglia was Laurie Hickman from the Dudley area of the West Mid's. I have a lovely photograph of my first race, with one of the Anglias coming round me. In the background is a mini with a road going reg number: 5959 AP (anyone remember who had this car?) and an A.40. Dvr unknown. Happy Days. Gerry.

[ianselva]

I remember you well Gerry ,as I started racing in 1968 in a Mini , a lot of the time at Brands, luckily you were always in a bigger class than me I think . I also remember well the Superspeed Anglias in their smart dark Red ?. Chris Craft had his own 1650 Anglia called Orange box , I was an apprentice in the Ford Dyno house at the time and he often wandered in with new bits he had modified/invented.

[Gerry Taylor]

Ian, yes, I had some great times at Brands, although It was never my best racing circuit. In those (our) days, Paddock was to be well respected, no wide run-offs then, just a bloody big hard earth bank, and believe me it came up fast. I also raced the Anglias there, but that was well after the Young lads had left the scene (Thank God! Ha,ha) But I could still never win there? I guess it was me, as I had wins at all the other circuits, but then again I think all race rs have a gremlin track....don't they? Gerry.

[RAP]

Bob
This thred originally started about whether John and Mike Young were the mid-50s Connaught drivers of the same names. It seems clear that Mike wasn't but we didn't come to a 100% answer on John. Can you help with any information on his background?

BTW
"I think you'll find Chris called his Anglia - Orange Box."
Autosport 30 Aug 63 p293 "...to win from Chris Craft's Orange Peel Special"
Richard