John Youl (1932 – 27 September 2009) was an Australian motor racing driver, race track owner and prominent Tasmanian grazier.

John Youl
NationalityAustralia Australian
Born1932
Died(2009-09-27)27 September 2009
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia
Retired1964
Related toSee Youl family
1964 Tasman Series
Years active1964
Starts8
Wins0
Best finish5th in 1964
Previous series
1959–63Australian Drivers' Champ.

Youl was best known for his driving in open wheel racing cars during the 1950s and 1960s and by the 60's was one of the most prominent Australians of this discipline. His career highlight came in 1962 when he finished second in the Australian Grand Prix behind international grand prix racer Bruce McLaren at the Caversham airfield circuit.[1]

A twice runner-up in the CAMS Gold Star for the Australian Drivers' Championship, Youl raced in the inaugural Tasman Series in 1964 before stepping away from the sport as a competitor. He remained close to the sport however, developing Symmons Plains Raceway on part of the family's grazing land in northern Tasmania.[2]

Youl was also a prominent member of the Tasmanian grazing community.

Career results

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Season Series Position Car Team
1960 Australian Drivers' Championship 9th Cooper T51 Climax
1961 Australian Drivers' Championship 6th Cooper T51 Climax
1962 Australian Drivers' Championship 2nd Cooper T51 Climax
Cooper T55 Climax
Scuderia Veloce
1963 Australian Drivers' Championship 2nd Cooper T51 Climax
Cooper Climax
1964 Tasman Series 5th Cooper Climax

Complete Tasman Series results

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Year Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rank Points
1964 Cooper T55 LEV
4
PUK
4
WIG
4
TER
DNS
SAN
3
WAR
Ret
LAK
2
LON
5
5th 21

References

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  1. ^ "Ex-racing driver John Youl dies at 77". 27 September 2009.
  2. ^ "Home for six generations". The Australian Women's Weekly. National Library of Australia. 7 July 1976. p. 88. Retrieved 28 February 2013.