Top 10 Mini Stars 78-84

Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 6:29pm
Who would be considered the top 10 mini stars from this era? Here are my choices.
Troy Blake
Larry Brooks
Scott Brown (I know he is on the site often)
Bruce Bunch
Paul Denis
Rick Hemme
George Holland
Erik Kehoe
Brian Meyerscough
Jeff Ward
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Sully
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9/9/2010 11:17pm
Tommy Clowers and Mike Craig used to tear up Barona Oaks pretty good in the '83/'84 time frame.
9/10/2010 8:53am
Who would be considered the top 10 mini stars from this era? Here are my choices. Troy Blake Larry Brooks Scott Brown (I know he is...
Who would be considered the top 10 mini stars from this era? Here are my choices.
Troy Blake
Larry Brooks
Scott Brown (I know he is on the site often)
Bruce Bunch
Paul Denis
Rick Hemme
George Holland
Erik Kehoe
Brian Meyerscough
Jeff Ward
Ward and Myerscough were already done by '78 and running the 125 pro classes.

Let's add:

Chris Heisser
Scott Burnworth
Larry Ward
Guy Cooper

I'm sure there are more.

HORNETDRIVER
9/10/2010 12:54pm
Wardy and Meyerscough were a little before my time when they rode minis. I just thought they should be mentioned and tried to extend the timeframe to cover them. I guess I was off by a year or two.
I agree on the Burner and Heisser, but only saw them race 125/250. Very fast though!
While visiting El Cajon my friend called up Glover and Burnworth and went cycling in the hills together, both very cool people and a great ride.
What years did Cooper ride mini's. I might have raced with him at Ponca in 83 running 125int?
Sam Storer was a great mini racer too.
9/10/2010 4:37pm
Cooper's dad and my dad put new rings in my YZ-80E in '78 about 10 min prior to the final moto, so he was at least there in '78. I can't tell you what classes he ran without that old program. My dad kept copious amounts of notes and results.

'79 was my last year in mini's then I moved to the 125 classes. I raced AMA and NMA mini classes from '72-79 then went to the big bikes and pro flat-track.

The Shop

observer
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9/10/2010 9:36pm Edited Date/Time 9/10/2010 9:36pm
How would you guys rate Shaun Kelley and Glen Urquhart(Hou,TX)back in that day??
Then again I think they were on 125s/250s by 78.
BVS40FL
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9/11/2010 5:35am
Down here in Fla. we had Todd Hempstead and Karl Jordan , then Ronnie Tichenor during that period. When the Winter Am came around we got Keith Bowen andRodney Barr. Then Damon Bradshaw and Keith Turpin from out of state.
AZ35
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9/11/2010 10:46am
Who would be considered the top 10 mini stars from this era? Here are my choices. Troy Blake Larry Brooks Scott Brown (I know he is...
Who would be considered the top 10 mini stars from this era? Here are my choices.
Troy Blake
Larry Brooks
Scott Brown (I know he is on the site often)
Bruce Bunch
Paul Denis
Rick Hemme
George Holland
Erik Kehoe
Brian Meyerscough
Jeff Ward
Eddie Hicks dominated 83 and 84 from what I recall. Those DMC bikes were beautiful.
Bobby Moore
Mike Healey
9/11/2010 11:12am
BVS40FL wrote:
Down here in Fla. we had Todd Hempstead and Karl Jordan , then Ronnie Tichenor during that period. When the Winter Am came around we got...
Down here in Fla. we had Todd Hempstead and Karl Jordan , then Ronnie Tichenor during that period. When the Winter Am came around we got Keith Bowen andRodney Barr. Then Damon Bradshaw and Keith Turpin from out of state.
x 2 on this, and i would add Freddy Vanwagganer, and if this list was 76 in stead of 78,

the top sr mini riders, from fla, would have been Joe Cartier, Mark Murphy, Jim Pinner and Kieth Olerich, i remember Joey had a super trick mini elsinore, and
Mark Murphy was sponsered by DG on minis,
andymoto
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9/11/2010 3:50pm
Few Nor/Cen Cals mini stars(not sure all fall within the timetable)

The late Timmy Aston.
Tyson Vohland
George Holland
Terry Bostard
Kelly Andris
Shawn Wooten
Steve Lamson
observer
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9/11/2010 6:50pm
BVS40FL wrote:
Down here in Fla. we had Todd Hempstead and Karl Jordan , then Ronnie Tichenor during that period. When the Winter Am came around we got...
Down here in Fla. we had Todd Hempstead and Karl Jordan , then Ronnie Tichenor during that period. When the Winter Am came around we got Keith Bowen andRodney Barr. Then Damon Bradshaw and Keith Turpin from out of state.
x 2 on this, and i would add Freddy Vanwagganer, and if this list was 76 in stead of 78, the top sr mini riders, from...
x 2 on this, and i would add Freddy Vanwagganer, and if this list was 76 in stead of 78,

the top sr mini riders, from fla, would have been Joe Cartier, Mark Murphy, Jim Pinner and Kieth Olerich, i remember Joey had a super trick mini elsinore, and
Mark Murphy was sponsered by DG on minis,
oldschool, was Mark Murphy riding an RM 125 in the Nats back in the day??
Seems I remember that name in the 125s circa 79-80?
9/11/2010 7:31pm Edited Date/Time 9/11/2010 7:35pm
,,



from the pits at Bradenton , Fla Mx,1978, box van with awenings and 3 RMs was Mark Murphy and his dad is standing there, the black closed trailer and white chevy van was Joe Cartiers pit and the wells cargo trai;ler in the back ground was our , pit
BVS40FL
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9/12/2010 5:28am
At the end of this time period we had Vince Devane and Brian McElroy as our top mini riders.
Tray 20
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9/13/2010 7:05am
observer wrote:
How would you guys rate Shaun Kelley and Glen Urquhart(Hou,TX)back in that day??
Then again I think they were on 125s/250s by 78.
By 1977 1978 Shaun Kelley was already ridding a PK 125. It was white. His dad " I think his name was John Kelley" The regional dirrector of the NMA circuit in Texas. Shane Kelley was in my class and he was fast but nothing like his brother. The real hot shot of the mini's was Bullet Ben Theriot. He came to the races in first class, and he could back up his onteourage on the track. Bullet was in Ward's talent leauge.

Yesterday i attended a current motorcross race at Rio Bravo, and recalled in my memories of the old days. The track is mostlley the same it was back in the 70's. Although the current sound of the new thumpers, and the lack of the 2 strokes seemed foreign to me.
NW#599
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9/13/2010 1:41pm
My memories during this time period are mostly from when I was on 80cc machines racing from 80-85.

1. Larry Brooks
2. Mike Healey
3. Mouse McCoy
4. Bruce Bunch
5. Rick Hemme
6. Larry Ward
7. Lowell Thompson
8. Eddie Hicks
9. Bobby Moore
10. Kyle Lewis
11. Shaun Kalos
12. Danny Storbeck
13. Keith Turpin
14. Ronnie Tichenor
15. Willie Surratt
16. Paul Denis
17. Junior Jackson
18. John Kitsch
19. Mike LaRocco
20. Todd Campbell
21. Tyson Vohland
22. Sam Storer
23. Doug Harrington
24. Troy Blake
25. Bryan Bruner
26. Kurt Henricksen
27. Scott Brown
28. Randy Jones
29. Snell Johnson
30. Mark Melton
31. Rick Simmet
32. Jeff Emig
33. Billy Whitley
34. Ray Sommo
35. Bader Manneh
36. Damon Bradshaw
37. James Woolridge
38. Kenny Kizzar
39. John Kurtz
40. Vince DeVane
41. Jason Upshaw
42. Mike Pascarella
43. Jason Langford
44. Scott Chesser
45. Nicky Pounds
46. Mike Young
47. Scott Johnson
48. Eric Yarnell
49. Jeff Stanton
50. Paul Winn
51. Jeff Daily
52. Eddie Vreeland
53. Craig Canoy
54. Jeff Barbacovi
55. Dustie Jenkins
56. Kit Vick
57. Don Hudson
58. Bobby Mann
59. Tommy Newman
60. Mark Crozier
GENERIC
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9/13/2010 7:03pm Edited Date/Time 9/13/2010 7:04pm
GENERIC
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9/13/2010 7:03pm
Lets not forget the late Colin Karcher...
toby lawes
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9/13/2010 7:11pm
NW#599 wrote:
My memories during this time period are mostly from when I was on 80cc machines racing from 80-85. 1. Larry Brooks 2. Mike Healey 3. Mouse...
My memories during this time period are mostly from when I was on 80cc machines racing from 80-85.

1. Larry Brooks
2. Mike Healey
3. Mouse McCoy
4. Bruce Bunch
5. Rick Hemme
6. Larry Ward
7. Lowell Thompson
8. Eddie Hicks
9. Bobby Moore
10. Kyle Lewis
11. Shaun Kalos
12. Danny Storbeck
13. Keith Turpin
14. Ronnie Tichenor
15. Willie Surratt
16. Paul Denis
17. Junior Jackson
18. John Kitsch
19. Mike LaRocco
20. Todd Campbell
21. Tyson Vohland
22. Sam Storer
23. Doug Harrington
24. Troy Blake
25. Bryan Bruner
26. Kurt Henricksen
27. Scott Brown
28. Randy Jones
29. Snell Johnson
30. Mark Melton
31. Rick Simmet
32. Jeff Emig
33. Billy Whitley
34. Ray Sommo
35. Bader Manneh
36. Damon Bradshaw
37. James Woolridge
38. Kenny Kizzar
39. John Kurtz
40. Vince DeVane
41. Jason Upshaw
42. Mike Pascarella
43. Jason Langford
44. Scott Chesser
45. Nicky Pounds
46. Mike Young
47. Scott Johnson
48. Eric Yarnell
49. Jeff Stanton
50. Paul Winn
51. Jeff Daily
52. Eddie Vreeland
53. Craig Canoy
54. Jeff Barbacovi
55. Dustie Jenkins
56. Kit Vick
57. Don Hudson
58. Bobby Mann
59. Tommy Newman
60. Mark Crozier
cool !!! your memories are so true! i would move some riders around a littel bit!! but i wont.... because yor right on base!!! me and jeff barbacovi wer like brothers at the dunes i miss him so much!!!!!!!! he was a great rider and a good friend .. we used to battel every moto !!! RIP JEFF GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILLY!!!!!!!!!!!! ( SNAKE) #23
toby lawes
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9/13/2010 7:12pm Edited Date/Time 9/13/2010 7:16pm
NW#599 wrote:
My memories during this time period are mostly from when I was on 80cc machines racing from 80-85. 1. Larry Brooks 2. Mike Healey 3. Mouse...
My memories during this time period are mostly from when I was on 80cc machines racing from 80-85.

1. Larry Brooks
2. Mike Healey
3. Mouse McCoy
4. Bruce Bunch
5. Rick Hemme
6. Larry Ward
7. Lowell Thompson
8. Eddie Hicks
9. Bobby Moore
10. Kyle Lewis
11. Shaun Kalos
12. Danny Storbeck
13. Keith Turpin
14. Ronnie Tichenor
15. Willie Surratt
16. Paul Denis
17. Junior Jackson
18. John Kitsch
19. Mike LaRocco
20. Todd Campbell
21. Tyson Vohland
22. Sam Storer
23. Doug Harrington
24. Troy Blake
25. Bryan Bruner
26. Kurt Henricksen
27. Scott Brown
28. Randy Jones
29. Snell Johnson
30. Mark Melton
31. Rick Simmet
32. Jeff Emig
33. Billy Whitley
34. Ray Sommo
35. Bader Manneh
36. Damon Bradshaw
37. James Woolridge
38. Kenny Kizzar
39. John Kurtz
40. Vince DeVane
41. Jason Upshaw
42. Mike Pascarella
43. Jason Langford
44. Scott Chesser
45. Nicky Pounds
46. Mike Young
47. Scott Johnson
48. Eric Yarnell
49. Jeff Stanton
50. Paul Winn
51. Jeff Daily
52. Eddie Vreeland
53. Craig Canoy
54. Jeff Barbacovi
55. Dustie Jenkins
56. Kit Vick
57. Don Hudson
58. Bobby Mann
59. Tommy Newman
60. Mark Crozier
sorry for the 2nd post
observer
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9/16/2010 1:01am
observer wrote:
How would you guys rate Shaun Kelley and Glen Urquhart(Hou,TX)back in that day??
Then again I think they were on 125s/250s by 78.
Tray 20 wrote:
By 1977 1978 Shaun Kelley was already ridding a PK 125. It was white. His dad " I think his name was John Kelley" The regional...
By 1977 1978 Shaun Kelley was already ridding a PK 125. It was white. His dad " I think his name was John Kelley" The regional dirrector of the NMA circuit in Texas. Shane Kelley was in my class and he was fast but nothing like his brother. The real hot shot of the mini's was Bullet Ben Theriot. He came to the races in first class, and he could back up his onteourage on the track. Bullet was in Ward's talent leauge.

Yesterday i attended a current motorcross race at Rio Bravo, and recalled in my memories of the old days. The track is mostlley the same it was back in the 70's. Although the current sound of the new thumpers, and the lack of the 2 strokes seemed foreign to me.
Yeah, I remember that PK Honda he rode. I believe Shaun got burned out.
I know Glen drops in here from time to time too. I plan on making this yrs Rio reunion.
I've also been "chatting" with Shaun on FB lately. He's a changed man these days.
Thanks guys...
NW#599
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9/16/2010 3:39pm
NW#599 wrote:
My memories during this time period are mostly from when I was on 80cc machines racing from 80-85. 1. Larry Brooks 2. Mike Healey 3. Mouse...
My memories during this time period are mostly from when I was on 80cc machines racing from 80-85.

1. Larry Brooks
2. Mike Healey
3. Mouse McCoy
4. Bruce Bunch
5. Rick Hemme
6. Larry Ward
7. Lowell Thompson
8. Eddie Hicks
9. Bobby Moore
10. Kyle Lewis
11. Shaun Kalos
12. Danny Storbeck
13. Keith Turpin
14. Ronnie Tichenor
15. Willie Surratt
16. Paul Denis
17. Junior Jackson
18. John Kitsch
19. Mike LaRocco
20. Todd Campbell
21. Tyson Vohland
22. Sam Storer
23. Doug Harrington
24. Troy Blake
25. Bryan Bruner
26. Kurt Henricksen
27. Scott Brown
28. Randy Jones
29. Snell Johnson
30. Mark Melton
31. Rick Simmet
32. Jeff Emig
33. Billy Whitley
34. Ray Sommo
35. Bader Manneh
36. Damon Bradshaw
37. James Woolridge
38. Kenny Kizzar
39. John Kurtz
40. Vince DeVane
41. Jason Upshaw
42. Mike Pascarella
43. Jason Langford
44. Scott Chesser
45. Nicky Pounds
46. Mike Young
47. Scott Johnson
48. Eric Yarnell
49. Jeff Stanton
50. Paul Winn
51. Jeff Daily
52. Eddie Vreeland
53. Craig Canoy
54. Jeff Barbacovi
55. Dustie Jenkins
56. Kit Vick
57. Don Hudson
58. Bobby Mann
59. Tommy Newman
60. Mark Crozier
toby lawes wrote:
cool !!! your memories are so true! i would move some riders around a littel bit!! but i wont.... because yor right on base!!! me and...
cool !!! your memories are so true! i would move some riders around a littel bit!! but i wont.... because yor right on base!!! me and jeff barbacovi wer like brothers at the dunes i miss him so much!!!!!!!! he was a great rider and a good friend .. we used to battel every moto !!! RIP JEFF GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILLY!!!!!!!!!!!! ( SNAKE) #23
I didn't put these in any particular order and yes I did forget a few like Mike Craig, Tommy Clowers and Colin Karcher to name a few. Even Chris Taylor and a few others...could go on and on I guess.
9/16/2010 8:13pm
NW#599 wrote:
My memories during this time period are mostly from when I was on 80cc machines racing from 80-85. 1. Larry Brooks 2. Mike Healey 3. Mouse...
My memories during this time period are mostly from when I was on 80cc machines racing from 80-85.

1. Larry Brooks
2. Mike Healey
3. Mouse McCoy
4. Bruce Bunch
5. Rick Hemme
6. Larry Ward
7. Lowell Thompson
8. Eddie Hicks
9. Bobby Moore
10. Kyle Lewis
11. Shaun Kalos
12. Danny Storbeck
13. Keith Turpin
14. Ronnie Tichenor
15. Willie Surratt
16. Paul Denis
17. Junior Jackson
18. John Kitsch
19. Mike LaRocco
20. Todd Campbell
21. Tyson Vohland
22. Sam Storer
23. Doug Harrington
24. Troy Blake
25. Bryan Bruner
26. Kurt Henricksen
27. Scott Brown
28. Randy Jones
29. Snell Johnson
30. Mark Melton
31. Rick Simmet
32. Jeff Emig
33. Billy Whitley
34. Ray Sommo
35. Bader Manneh
36. Damon Bradshaw
37. James Woolridge
38. Kenny Kizzar
39. John Kurtz
40. Vince DeVane
41. Jason Upshaw
42. Mike Pascarella
43. Jason Langford
44. Scott Chesser
45. Nicky Pounds
46. Mike Young
47. Scott Johnson
48. Eric Yarnell
49. Jeff Stanton
50. Paul Winn
51. Jeff Daily
52. Eddie Vreeland
53. Craig Canoy
54. Jeff Barbacovi
55. Dustie Jenkins
56. Kit Vick
57. Don Hudson
58. Bobby Mann
59. Tommy Newman
60. Mark Crozier
toby lawes wrote:
cool !!! your memories are so true! i would move some riders around a littel bit!! but i wont.... because yor right on base!!! me and...
cool !!! your memories are so true! i would move some riders around a littel bit!! but i wont.... because yor right on base!!! me and jeff barbacovi wer like brothers at the dunes i miss him so much!!!!!!!! he was a great rider and a good friend .. we used to battel every moto !!! RIP JEFF GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILLY!!!!!!!!!!!! ( SNAKE) #23
NW#599 wrote:
I didn't put these in any particular order and yes I did forget a few like Mike Craig, Tommy Clowers and Colin Karcher to name a...
I didn't put these in any particular order and yes I did forget a few like Mike Craig, Tommy Clowers and Colin Karcher to name a few. Even Chris Taylor and a few others...could go on and on I guess.
On the same line as Mike Craig and ChrisTaylor. Anyone remember Billy Frank? He doesn't get mentioned much on the site, but he was a top mini racer and like Mike Craig a top 125 pro. I think he was the AMA 125cc rookie of the year back in 85.
mr50racer
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9/16/2010 8:32pm Edited Date/Time 9/16/2010 8:34pm
I think you missed mike kiedrowski.....He was not the fastest but, he was consistent.. and CO
Tbteam
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9/17/2010 12:40pm
#48 Eric Yarnell is one of my best friends. We still race vintage together. First race is October 3rd for FLVMX here in Florida. Eric rides one of my 1980 CR125R's.

mx400bee
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Kannapolis, NC US
9/17/2010 1:39pm
Tbteam wrote:
#48 Eric Yarnell is one of my best friends. We still race vintage together. First race is October 3rd for FLVMX here in Florida. Eric rides...
#48 Eric Yarnell is one of my best friends. We still race vintage together. First race is October 3rd for FLVMX here in Florida. Eric rides one of my 1980 CR125R's.

And he rides it real fast too.
BOBBY LEE
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9/20/2010 7:37am
Hey Tbteam, asking a favor from you. Ask Eric if he has the group photo from the Race of Champions we were in together. I was there by myself and dont have any pics. Would like to get a photo. Thanks Bobby
DJ KC
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9/22/2010 7:04am
Tbteam wrote:
#48 Eric Yarnell is one of my best friends. We still race vintage together. First race is October 3rd for FLVMX here in Florida. Eric rides...
#48 Eric Yarnell is one of my best friends. We still race vintage together. First race is October 3rd for FLVMX here in Florida. Eric rides one of my 1980 CR125R's.

The Yarnell's were great people, Eric and my kid brother Bret were really good friends back in their mini bike days.
ElkinHammer
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9/28/2010 9:30am
Hammeri'n Hank Moree...... rode DMC Kawasaki mini's and was the man to beat in the southeast back in the early to mid 80's... won titles at Ponca and Loretta's
nmachamp
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9/30/2010 5:44pm
On the same line as Mike Craig and ChrisTaylor. Anyone remember Billy Frank? He doesn't get mentioned much on the site, but he was a top...
On the same line as Mike Craig and ChrisTaylor. Anyone remember Billy Frank? He doesn't get mentioned much on the site, but he was a top mini racer and like Mike Craig a top 125 pro. I think he was the AMA 125cc rookie of the year back in 85.
Yes i would have to agree.. you nailed it pritty close with that list.. I would maybe change like a couple of peaple around, like Toby said.. Its funny , cause i made a list like two weeks ago, and it was almost identicle..... MINE Didnt have KURT Henrikson quite so high up there.. And to put him just ahead of Scottie Brown.. Well that just doesnt make sense... Scottie was beeting Kurtie WHEN he was TWELVE!!! And LARRY WARD.. Ahead of Troy Blake... WOW.. I also gave Sam Storer, a little better rating .. Even though he had it almost to easy racing against guys like kehoe, Holland., and then BLAKE... eVEN SO .. EVERYBODY would have to agree with most of this list bieng almost dead on .. RIGHT TOBY.... AND FYI.. BILLY FRANK, AND HANK MOREE BOTH DESERVE to be ahead of KURT Henriksen... Bader MANNEH..35TH... I think he was a couple of spots higher on my list too...
CamP
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9/30/2010 7:15pm
The battles at Lake Whitney between Danny Storbeck and Bryan Abernathy on 80's were legendary. Storebeck got the factory Yamaha ride, but Bryan had more natural talent. Racing burnout and couple injuries right after turning pro ended Abernathy's career too soon.

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