One of producer / director Roger Cormans' exploitation-subculture flicks, "The Young Racers" is intended to take a look at the lives and personalities of those who make their living racing cars. Mark Damon plays Steve Children, a former racer turned writer who learns that champion driver Joe Machin (William Campbell) has used and discarded Steves' fiancee Monique (Beatrice Altariba). Aiming to get back at Joe (a flamboyantly arrogant, cocky type) somehow, Steve works his way into Joes' life, pretending that he's penning a novel and needs inspiration. But as time goes by, he learns more about Joe, realizing that this man who's come off as such a conceited pig is actually more sensitive and troubled than it appears.
Although there is some fairly intense, well-edited, and exciting racing action, "The Young Racers" is one of those racing dramas that spends more time off the track. It functions more as a character study. As written by Campbells' younger brother / fellow actor Robert (R. Wright) Campbell, it includes some good and interesting insight, if perhaps some overly grandiose dialogue. The main reason to watch "The Young Racers" is to watch an engaging cast fill out these roles. Damon (who's actually looped by none other than Bill Shatner!) and Campbell do a fine job, receiving strong support from a very attractive bunch of actresses. Luana Anders is front and centre as Steves' loyal secretary Henny, while Marie Versini makes the most of a compelling role as Joes' equally loyal wife Sesia. The great Patrick Magee pops up in the final quarter of the film to play a pivotal role.
As was often the case with Corman films, he paces it well enough so that it clocks in at roughly 80 minutes or so (although in his case it was always an economical decision). It's good entertainment with a jazzy score by Les Baxter, the prolific composer who contributed to a large number of A.I.P. exploitation features.
Among the technical crew: Francis Ford Coppola as the sound man, Menahem Golan as the property master, and longtime Corman colleague Charles Griffith as the assistant director.
Seven out of 10.
