Bruce Bunch, Rick Hemme, Kyle Fleming

NW#599 wrote:

Looking back on the final season of racing for R&D Suzuki Mini riders Bruce Bunch and Rick Hemme... 1982 WORLD MINI GRAND PRIX 80cc STOCK...

Looking back on the final season of racing for R&D Suzuki Mini riders Bruce Bunch and Rick Hemme...

1982 WORLD MINI GRAND PRIX

80cc STOCK EXPERT 12+ RUN-OFF

1. Bruce Bunch, SUZ
2. Rick Hemme, SUZ
3. Paul Denis, KAW
4. Tyson Vohland, YAM
5. Bob Moore, YAM


80cc MOD EXPERT 12+ RUN-OFF

1. Bruce Bunch, SUZ
2. Larry Brooks, SUZ
3. Paul Denis, KAW
4. Rick Hemme, SUZ
5. Bob Moore, YAM


105cc MOD EXPERT RUN-OFF

1. Paul Denis, KAW
2. Rick Hemme, SUZ
3. Bruce Bunch, SUZ
4. Bob Moore, YAM
5. Tyson Vohland., YAM


NMA/Yamaha Grand National Championship:

Ponca City, Ok, July 27th - August 1, 1982

By Karel Kramer (Cycle News 1982): A Multitude of parent-pit-crews, over 1,000 riders from ages four to 21, four factory teams and equipment conservatively estimated to be worth $15 million-plus descended on the Oklahoma town of Ponca City for the National Motosport Association's Yamaha Grand National Championship Mototcross. For the entire six days of racing and practice, performances by the young riders were polished and professional. Unlike past years, there were no massive run-aways. Several riders scored convincing wins and double and multiple wins, but nobody won without working for their trophy or cash.

The week was marred by the tragic deaths of Suzuki riders Bruce Bunch and Kyle Flemming in a car-train accidient after the event was concluded. Suzuki's Rick Hemme and Oakley rep Dana Duke were seriously injured in the same accident.


1982: 83cc Stock Expert Class

By Karel Kramer (Cycle News 1982): Going into the final heat in the 83cc Stock Expert class, Paul Denis, Rick Hemme, Kyle Flemming (SUZ), Colorado's Kevin McKnight (KAW) and Ray Sommo were the low point men in the final heat.

Paul Denis went in with a perfect 1-1. Bruce Bunch, Tennesee's Doug Harrington (KAW), Larry Brooks, Tyson Vohland (HON), and Good Times National (TX) winner Danny Storbeck (YAM) were the top five from the second heat.

In the final, Paul Denis had the lead on the first lap and at the flag, but he had to work hard for it with Rick Hemme a threat in late laps.

With Paul Denis in the lead, Willie Surratt went past the scorers table in second after the first lap followed by Bobby Moore (YAM), Larry Brooks, Mike Healey (HON) and Rick Hemme who was in 5th.

Bobby Moore then past Willie Surratt to third as Rick Hemme began his charge, dropping a rider a position each lap. Bobby Moore passed Paul Denis for just a moment to take the lead, but when they came out of the woods he was in 5th and Denis was back in front.

Rick Hemme past Surratt on the 6th lap to move into second place. Bruce Bunch had moved up through the pack to also take Surratt on the same lap.

Rick Hemme then began to dop Denis for the lead the remainder of the race. Larry Brooks moved into 4th place and the R&D Suzuki team lined up in the 2, 3, and 4 spots.

That is how the top four would stay. At the checkered flag, it was Paul Denis (KAW), Rick Hemme (SUZ), Bruce Bunch (SUZ), Larry Brroks (SUZ) and Doug Harrington (KAW) had moved into the 5th spot.

The 83cc Stock class received somewhat more attention than usual. Kawasaki protested the factory supported stockers of Rick Hemme, Larry Brooks, and Bruce Bunch. Suzuki felt they were being harassed and protested all the stock Kawasaki's, 10 in all. There were some detail questions, but at least the first place Kawasaki of Paul Denis and the second place Suzuki of Rick Hemme were pronounced legal.

The teardowns were still in question at the time word was received of the accident involving the Suzuki team riders and all protests were mutually withdrawn. All four factory reps said that they would welcome teardowns of all winning bikes to avoid future problems.

1. Paul Denis, KAW
2. Rick Hemme, SUZ
3. Bruce Bunch, SUZ
4. Larry Brooks, SUZ
5. Doug Harrington, KAW


1982 83cc Modified Expert Class

By Karel Kramer (Cycle News 1982): Nearly the same faces were doing duty in the 83cc Modified class. Kawasaki, Honda, and Yamaha were all to have stock 1983 minis entered with only Suzuki running air-cooled 82's.

The '83 Yamaha didn't get a chance, nor did it's rifer Eddie Hicks. Eddie went down in a first turn pile-up in the first moto and jumped up and rode three laps before realizing that his leg was broken.

Paul Denis proved to be the holeshot king again and led every lap in the final on a pre-production 1983 KX80 single-strut water pumper. Kawasaki's seemed to dominate the starts at Ponca as Willie Surratt was again up front early along with Doug Harrington. Danny Storback was the only yellow bike in sight early and after the first couple laps found himself in 3rd place.

Doug Harrington would pass Storbeck to make it a Kawasaki trio up front and it would stay that way to the end.

Storbeck would finish fourth on his 1982 Yamaha (only '82 bike in the top five). The battle for 5th would be between Honda rider Mike Healey and Larry Brooks. Healey and Brooks had a battle on the last lap they won't soon forget. Brroks tried his move down the last straight, but Healey moved over on Brooks and slammed the door on him, nearly running him into the tires. Brooks displayed his displeasure with sign language while Healey took the flag.

Overall results combined from the heat races and final had Paul Denis take the win with Doug Harrington, Willie Surratt, Danny Storbeck, and Rick Hemme rounding out the top five places.

1. Paul Denis, KAW
2. Doug Harrington, KAW
3. Willie Surratt, KAW
4. Danny Storbeck, YAM,
5. Rick Hemme, SUZ


1982 105cc Modified Expert Class

By Karel Kramer (Cycle News 1982): Suzuki got to flex their muscles in the 105cc class thanks to the hard riding of Rick Hemme and a bit of bad luck on Paul Denis part. Denis had a solid lead in the race when his Kawasaki's front suspension stuck on full compression over a jump. With Denis out, Danny Storbeck grabbed the lead and hung tough to the flag. Rick Hemme began the race as far back as 12th place and hacked his way through the pack to third on lap five where he stayed till the flag.

Rick Hemme sewed up the overall with Storbeck second and Healey third. Larry Brooks and Doug Harrington finished out the top five in 4th and 5th respectively.

1. Rick Hemme, SUZ
2. Danny Storbeck, YAM
3. Mike Healey, HON
4. Larry Brooks, SUZ
5. Doug Harrington, KAW



Here is R&D's Dean talking about when the 83 KX80 surfaced at Ponca City in 1982:
MXA: What was the best mini-bike ever made?
Dean: "The biggest improvement in the mini bike arena was the introduction of the 1983 KX80. It was leaps and bounds ahead of the competition, Obviously, it would not compare with today’s standards, but, at that time, it made huge strides in engine performance as well as suspension. Needless to say, they kicked our butt. It took some time to overcome the technical advantages that they had achieved."

mxracer106 wrote:

Wow.....thank you Paul for opening up and sharing with us your side of this story, and I commend you for being completely transparent about the rollercoaster...

Wow.....thank you Paul for opening up and sharing with us your side of this story, and I commend you for being completely transparent about the rollercoaster of emotions you were going through on that sad day back in 1982. I honestly never gave any thought to how that accident actually effected you....it took away more than just the lives of three young men. You are right Paul....Bruce, Rick, and Kyle got cheated.....and so did you. You accomplished something back then that I could only dream of, and even though that event will forever carry a dark clowd over it, I will always remember who became the 1982 NMA Grand National Champ!

Webcokid wrote:

It's 1982 and Bunch has taken the wholeshot at Saddleback. I see #4 Larry Brooks, and I think Troy Blake #5. Can anyone name the rest...

It's 1982 and Bunch has taken the wholeshot at Saddleback. I see #4 Larry Brooks, and I think Troy Blake #5. Can anyone name the rest? #1 on the Honda? Kawasakis up top? Look at Bunch and notice his upright style. Kinda like the bomber"Barnet". Also, notice he has the power on and is charging hard for Webco. Bunch was so smooth, look at his foot just skimming the ground. Awesome! btw: I know it 82 because he is on the full floater. BTW: Picture: Tom Corley

Webcokid wrote:

Shii, I wipped my ass with that signed poster, that's why your face was cut out! Too funny, I posted this about a year ago and...

Shii, I wipped my ass with that signed poster, that's why your face was cut out! Too funny, I posted this about a year ago and had forgotten who most of these guys were, including you, since I always picture you as a Yamaha guy. But then again, The Larry Brooks blunder is pretty laim. I should have known that, but then again, I was never a huge fan of his. Is 4 Blake? and is that Sam up top on the Kawi? Can't see the number plate. Glad your keeping me on my toes. I will call you later about Glen Helen race on Nov. 22nd. I'm going for it and I need your pit/coacing expertise.

Webcokid wrote:

Shii, I wipped my ass with that signed poster, that's why your face was cut out! Too funny, I posted this about a year ago and...

Shii, I wipped my ass with that signed poster, that's why your face was cut out! Too funny, I posted this about a year ago and had forgotten who most of these guys were, including you, since I always picture you as a Yamaha guy. But then again, The Larry Brooks blunder is pretty laim. I should have known that, but then again, I was never a huge fan of his. Is 4 Blake? and is that Sam up top on the Kawi? Can't see the number plate. Glad your keeping me on my toes. I will call you later about Glen Helen race on Nov. 22nd. I'm going for it and I need your pit/coacing expertise.

nmachamp wrote:

99 is Mike Heally.... Above Mike with the white helmet is Danny Storeback.. no. 4 is Rick HEMME..... TRUST ME..... And NO. 1 is the guy...

99 is Mike Heally.... Above Mike with the white helmet is Danny Storeback.. no. 4 is Rick HEMME..... TRUST ME..... And NO. 1 is the guy diving down way inside to set up just right for the outside pass up webco... CMON, TONY.,, YOUR STARTING TO SCARE ME WITH some of this analysis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CamP wrote:

Storbeck's body posture is unmistakable.

CamP wrote:

Storbeck's body posture is unmistakable.

nmachamp wrote:

So is LARRY'S.. Notice the way he just has to be right in that dudes way.. And also notice his front foot. the perfect position to...

So is LARRY'S.. Notice the way he just has to be right in that dudes way.. And also notice his front foot. the perfect position to not get it ran over by dude.. also as you can obviously see that he;s got the 4. bike set up perfectly to bounce of him AND screw both of them up just enough to get ahead of both of them and stay in way probably most of the race..I think Rick knew how to get around LARRY, But it would take a while ... That other guy has no clue what hes in for... Im sure Larry gave him a taste of that locked up back wheel a couple of turns later!! its a process that takes alot of trial and error....TRUST ME.....I truely believe Rudy SR., realized that getting larry on his team would be the best move for his guys...And i think that it was a brilliant move .. That way when he pulled his dirty rider shit.. Rudy could sit him down and talk about Team player responsibility... Good stuff HUH!!!!!!!!

Announcer wrote:

Well, nmachamp, you and I must be looking at different pix or the pix is cropped here on Vital MX. If LB is #4, he's on...

Well, nmachamp, you and I must be looking at different pix or the pix is cropped here on Vital MX. If LB is #4, he's on the OUTSIDE, with NO ONE directly behind him, in front of him or on his left side (by at least four or five feet). You're obviously dealing with a very big case of sour grapes regarding Larry and need to get over it and stay over it.

In addition, this thread is about Bruce, Rick & Kyle, and your whining about the only guy who lived isn't doing you or anyone else much good as regards to remembering our friends that didn't make it. Let's keep this thread about our lost friends, ok?

Hal Sanguinetti

Announcer wrote:

Then I stand corrected on part of my comments, sorry 'bout that. HOWEVER, it appears to me that the possibility just might exist that Larry is...

Then I stand corrected on part of my comments, sorry 'bout that. HOWEVER, it appears to me that the possibility just might exist that Larry is the one being run into by #66 does it not? Think about it - in a left hand corner not long after the start, the force of gravity is pushing all the bikes out to the right. #66 comes in a little hotter than #5 (who has already started his turn) and #5 has to lift his foot to keep from being run over. Look at #66's front wheel.... he's sliding and trying to stay up. This scenario is far more likely than the one nmachamp has suggested.

Also "right in that dudes way?" Gimmie a break - that's what motocross is all about, charging as hard as you can. You're saying every racer is supposed to be nice and courteous and pull over when someone comes alongside? I don't think so..... you've been there, you know what it's like.... let's be honest, you just don't like Larry Brooks (which you're entitled to have as an opinion), but again..... this is not the forum for that. This is to remember the 3 boys who lost their life. Remember, I was there right in the middle of that horror too....

Hal Sanguinetti

mxracer106 wrote:

Wow.....thank you Paul for opening up and sharing with us your side of this story, and I commend you for being completely transparent about the rollercoaster...

Wow.....thank you Paul for opening up and sharing with us your side of this story, and I commend you for being completely transparent about the rollercoaster of emotions you were going through on that sad day back in 1982. I honestly never gave any thought to how that accident actually effected you....it took away more than just the lives of three young men. You are right Paul....Bruce, Rick, and Kyle got cheated.....and so did you. You accomplished something back then that I could only dream of, and even though that event will forever carry a dark clowd over it, I will always remember who became the 1982 NMA Grand National Champ!

heresjohnny151 wrote:

Very well said "mxracer106' Your comments on this topic are what alot people feel and carry with them. I know I do. I was lucky enough...

Very well said "mxracer106' Your comments on this topic are what alot people feel and carry with them. I know I do. I was lucky enough to be able to meet both Rick and Bruce prior to Ponca City that year. I was working as a motorcycle mechanic at a Suzuki dealership in La Habra at the time. The shop was about 8 miles from R&D racing in Norwalk. Its actually a couple of houses next door to each other (R&D racing). The parts manager at the Suzuki shop was good friends with Rudy & Dean. Mike Bell was the parts guy at our shop. Anyway , there were plenty of times Rudy would need parts and me and Mike would bring what he needed after work. So I got to know the Dickensons pretty well and was fortune enough to have them modify and set-up my 82 RM-125 z model. I can tell you that nobody does better work than R&D racing on Suzukis at least in my opinion. I got to meet those racers and 25 years later I met and talked with Paul Denis. I remember Rudy protesting the KX-80s thinking they may not had been legal. But the truth is that Paul was that good. Rudy had alot of respect for Paul Denis and his abilty. And anyone who had the privelage of meeting or seeing Rick, Bruce, Kyle, or Pual race knows that all 4 were championship caliber racers as well as individuals and true champions. They left me with some good memories that are still with me! They are gone but not forgotten. All are special, very special.

CamP wrote:

Storbeck's body posture is unmistakable.

nmachamp wrote:

So is LARRY'S.. Notice the way he just has to be right in that dudes way.. And also notice his front foot. the perfect position to...

So is LARRY'S.. Notice the way he just has to be right in that dudes way.. And also notice his front foot. the perfect position to not get it ran over by dude.. also as you can obviously see that he;s got the 4. bike set up perfectly to bounce of him AND screw both of them up just enough to get ahead of both of them and stay in way probably most of the race..I think Rick knew how to get around LARRY, But it would take a while ... That other guy has no clue what hes in for... Im sure Larry gave him a taste of that locked up back wheel a couple of turns later!! its a process that takes alot of trial and error....TRUST ME.....I truely believe Rudy SR., realized that getting larry on his team would be the best move for his guys...And i think that it was a brilliant move .. That way when he pulled his dirty rider shit.. Rudy could sit him down and talk about Team player responsibility... Good stuff HUH!!!!!!!!

NW#599 wrote:

Some talk about these three and their tragic accident in Ponca City in 1982 have been in a couple other threads on here, but I wanted...

Some talk about these three and their tragic accident in Ponca City in 1982 have been in a couple other threads on here, but I wanted to start a seperate topic just in their honor.


It was a terrible and very preventable accident that claimed the lives of these three individuals and put driver Duke Dana in a long coma and years of rehab.


They were R&D Suzuki riders along with Larry Brooks that year.


I would like to dedicate this post to any memories that community members from Vitalmx may have of these three riders. I know that I was just getting my motocross "career" started in 1979 and these were my first "hero's" of the sport since I was following the 80cc stage as a fellow rider/racer.


Please share any experiences, photo's, stories you have heard, or information you know of from any or all of these three riders.


I have an article of Rick Hemme from a newspaper in 1982 that I will share as soon as I can get it put on here.


Things I am looking for:


Pictures of all three racing/riding their bikes (preferrably 1982).

The 1982 Ponca City results from all the 80cc and 105cc Mini classes (top ten).

The Minicyle Magazine article on Ponca City 1982 and this tragedy. I remember reading it, had the magazine back then, kept it for years, but now can not find it. anybody?


Here is a link to see Bruce Bunch 1981 R7D Suzuki 105cc bike:


http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:d2hnJE5NhqsJ:www.vintagefactory.co…

Announcer wrote:

Paul, as has already been proven, different people regard different statements in different ways. Larry and I both interpreted your 'playing around' as smack - hence...

Paul, as has already been proven, different people regard different statements in different ways. Larry and I both interpreted your 'playing around' as smack - hence the responses that YOU regarded as smack - and the battle is on (in other words, you started it LOL). Point being is that its best to keep one's mouth shut (fingers still ??) if one doesn't want someone to fire back, don't you think?

Hal Sanguinetti

Announcer wrote:

Paul, as has already been proven, different people regard different statements in different ways. Larry and I both interpreted your 'playing around' as smack - hence...

Paul, as has already been proven, different people regard different statements in different ways. Larry and I both interpreted your 'playing around' as smack - hence the responses that YOU regarded as smack - and the battle is on (in other words, you started it LOL). Point being is that its best to keep one's mouth shut (fingers still ??) if one doesn't want someone to fire back, don't you think?

Hal Sanguinetti

mr50racer wrote:

Chuck O could beat them both anyway.....On and off the track...

Announcer wrote:

Well, nmachamp, you and I must be looking at different pix or the pix is cropped here on Vital MX. If LB is #4, he's on...

Well, nmachamp, you and I must be looking at different pix or the pix is cropped here on Vital MX. If LB is #4, he's on the OUTSIDE, with NO ONE directly behind him, in front of him or on his left side (by at least four or five feet). You're obviously dealing with a very big case of sour grapes regarding Larry and need to get over it and stay over it.

In addition, this thread is about Bruce, Rick & Kyle, and your whining about the only guy who lived isn't doing you or anyone else much good as regards to remembering our friends that didn't make it. Let's keep this thread about our lost friends, ok?

Hal Sanguinetti