Robert Young lived at Warrigul, New Town and was educated at Hutchins School. He trained as a Motor Mechanic and following service in World War 2, in the Middle East, he returned to Tasmania in 1945 to his wife Mona Robinson and his 5 year old daughter. At Huonville he was joint Manager of City Motors later returning to Hobart to establish his own business. He had a long term interest in motor sport and in 1955 drove a VW in the Redex Reliability trial around Australia.