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How ironic, earlier in this thread I commented about the day I first learned about what happened at Ponca in 1982- it was at your parents house and your brother Damon was the one who told me what had happened.
I now own towing and automotive related businesses with my Father-in-Law. I recently partnered with him after 15 years in the corporate world, last 5 years as VP of Sales for the Phoenix Region of a major developer.
I am going riding tomorrow (with Brian Pryor) at Speedworld, it will be the first time I have ridden since December (my wife gives me shit all the time because I have 2 bikes in the garage collecting dust). Between work and family (3 girls) just not much time.
Last I heard (read) you were Economic Director or something like that for Buckeye?
Many troubles in that industry, not surprising given all the craziness for the past decade.
I was with Richmond American for the past 8 years, Dave Brown for 7 years prior to RAH.
Email me your contact info, I have an extra CRF250 so if you feel like joining us for a ride sometime you are welcome to give it a try!
The Shop
Great to hear from you guys. Sounds like you are both doing well. Brother Damon also lives in Desert Hills, has 4 kids now and is a cop in Peoria. Good times for sure back then!
Watty
S
I had never heard the rumor about Larry Brooks being with them & being made to get out of the car?? Is this true?
Someone else posted it & it's what I remember as happening...they (Dana Duke) drove around cars which had stopped for the train...
I never knew (or saw) Rick or Bruce, but I watched Kyle race...he had more natural talent than anyone I'd ever seen...in later years, Ron Lechein (sp?) reminded me of Kyle...relatively a small amount of time on the saddle, but rode like the wind... (...I think it was Kyle's sister I had a crush on...but, in all honesty, I forget ;-) hey...it was a long time ago)
I still get butterflies when I think of that incident....for some odd reason, the song "Eye in the Sky" (Alan Parson's Project) reminded me of them (then and now)....
....gone but not forgotten....
This post is very emotional to me. I was going with them to eat but I would not change my shirt as my Grandfather (Pop) told me to do, so he wouldn't let me go. I don't think he wanted me to go anyways as he was really protective of me. I don't remember where Larry was, but I remember them calling my name to get in the car with them. The drive home with Kyle's sister, Michelle, with us was like a twilght zone. I miss my friends and teammates a lot and know for sure they would have made a big impact on the professional scene. Kyle was staying with us in our motorhome that week, we were becoming good friends. Rick was outgoing, fun and liked to embarrass me in front of his sister. Bruce was more quiet and was very kind hearted.
Thanks for starting a thread about these guys.
Godbless, Shaun..
S
I only knew Bruce and Kyle by name, and didnt know Dana Duke at all, Theres no doubt he fucked up, but he got the worse punishment you could ever think of, he LIVED!!!
That has to be a living hell on earth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She was very happy to hear people and Shaun posted about her brother. I talked with her about what was posted, and gave her the link. I was suprised at what she had to say and will let her post if indeed she does decide to.
Pit Row
Kyle was a great friend of mine. We traveled and raced bicycles for DG all over. Even though I was a little bit older, I was always astonished while watching Kyle on bicycles and/or motorcycles. The entire Fleming family were very good people and I enjoyed every time I was with them, at their home or the races.
I watched Kyle as he made the transformation from a BMX National Champion to a motocross icon and every thing he did amazed us all.
I have a few pictures of Kyle, a couple of jerseys and a lot of stories. I actually still have his customized DG BMX bike (the one that he won ABA National #1 with). My son started racing motocross and I have now been able to tell him about Kyle and the many memories we shared. Kyle was an incredibly talented individual, as were Rick and Bruce. The one thing I will always remember about Kyle is that he was a fantastic friend.
Thank you so much for the insight on kyle!! If you have any spare time would love to read some of your stories!!!!! Thanks again.
#515-
If you have time would love to hear some of your stories. Im trying to get info together to write a book in honor of these guys!! I used to race 80 int. in So. cal. in the 80s, these guys were my heros. thanks
Capone35
Capone35- I can help you if you need shots of Bruce Bunch and Rick Hemme. The Orange County Register called me after the accident to find out more about Bruce. I knew him well because I covered all of the NMA races for the local papers.
tcestudios@netzero.net
I remember i heard about it the next day and believe it or not to this day I always look both ways before I cross train tracks.
I hate to say it but if 1 more person went be Brooks or Button then it probably wouldn't have happened because the extra 10 seconds it would have taken for 1 more guy to get in the car the train might have been 10 seconds behind and saw they would have seen it..
Webcokid- That's cool that you are using the Suzuki advertisement for your profile shot. I took that picture of Bruce Bunch and it was a great experience working with Suzuki's ad agency on the 1982 80cc Full-Floater campaign. Above all, it was so nice being able to know Bruce Bunch and Rick Hemme, and to be their photographer. Here is another spread that we did and this came out on March 10, 1982 in CYCLE NEWS.
Thanks Tom, I appreciate everything you have said about Bruce.
Tony. I also see you in a picture with Todd Peterson. He's another great friend of mine that I used to chase around Saddle Back. Todd was the man and I actually visited him last week at his shop.
Post a reply to: Bruce Bunch, Rick Hemme, Kyle Fleming