Vale Kent Youlden

We learned on Tuesday that Kent Youlden had passed away, and whilst we are sad that our long-time friend and member is no longer with us, we will remember him as the champion man he was.

He had been suffering from Dementia over recent years making his passing a sad but happy release. He was 71 years old.

We will remember the champion bloke he was, be it a husband, father, brother, grandfather, relative, Champion Racer, club member, or friend of many.

Kent was a well-regarded member of PIARC for 50 years, having joined in 1973 (from memory) when he started Circuit racing the immaculate and fast Purple LJ XU1 Torana Sports Sedan. This car shouted excellence in its engineering, preparation and looks, a real tribute to Kent’s abilities as a car builder and driver. The Torana usually resided proudly at or towards the front of the grid at the Island and elsewhere, and on the podium more frequently than not.

This car was replaced by a 6 cylinder TE Cortina Sports Sedan in 1978 which was later updated with an ex Alf Costanzo 5Litre V8.

Kent and brother Brett moved to VK Commodore Production Cars in 1986-87, and in 1988 the defining move to an EA Falcon Production Car which was developed to an extent that it dominated by winning the 1990 and 1991 Australian Production Car Championships, which no doubt pleased his lifetime employer Ford, where he was an engineer. This car was followed by a Falcon EB SS in 1992. The Falcons also provided a 2^nd Outright at the 91 Bathurst 12 Hour, followed by 5^th in the EB in 93.

There was also some class seconds in the Ford TX3 Laser Turbo Prod Car.

In 1994 Kent built a Monaro 350 and dominated Group NC Historic Touring Cars winning the Club Championship.

Kent’s skills as a racer and engineer did not stop there as he acted as a mentor to son Luke and clearly passed on that heritage which saw Luke win the 2000 Australian Formula Ford Series, the 2017 Bathurst 1000, and also take out the 2017 PIARC John Lanyon Competitor of the Year Award, which Kent glowing accepted in Luke’s absence in 2018.

The visits to the club and the Circuit became less frequent in subsequent years as his health declined but not his passion for the club and motorsport.

PIARC’s Committee and members salute a fine man who provided the club with great achievements, encouragement along with 50 years friendship and loyalty.

Condolences to Kent’s wife Yvonne, children Luke, James Clinton and Rebecca, brothers Ray and Brett, their respective partners and children.

Race on Bear.