RIP Paul Denis.

RMT
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RMT 6/27/2019 8:44pm
6/27/2019 8:44pm
Minibike heroes are the best. Especially the ones that fade away after they get off 80’s. That just makes them more of a legend. To me it’s like they said “I can kick every ass on the planet, I’m bored and moving on to other adventures”.

Paul Denis was that kind of legend to me after i saw him wax everyone at LL in 82.

RIP Paul
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Motohead279
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Motohead279 6/27/2019 9:26pm
6/27/2019 9:26pm
Unfortunately I’ve never heard of him he was before my time following MX. I’ve heard of Eddie Hicks though because of the RacerX story. Did Paul race around the same time Eddie was racing minis?

RIP
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Radical
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Radical 6/28/2019 12:16am
6/28/2019 12:16am
RIP and I pray peace for his loved ones.
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G-man
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G-man 6/28/2019 12:41am
6/28/2019 12:41am
Very Sad news.
Gone way too soon--Rest in Peace Paul.....
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Hamster 75 6/28/2019 11:04am
6/28/2019 11:04am
RMT wrote:
Minibike heroes are the best. Especially the ones that fade away after they get off 80’s. That just makes them more of a legend. To me...
Minibike heroes are the best. Especially the ones that fade away after they get off 80’s. That just makes them more of a legend. To me it’s like they said “I can kick every ass on the planet, I’m bored and moving on to other adventures”.

Paul Denis was that kind of legend to me after i saw him wax everyone at LL in 82.

RIP Paul
I agree was a bit of a legend to me too, I was sad to find out & always wondered what had happened after he went pro, as you say was the fastest 80cc rider in the world at that time,
when they team green USA came to the UK in 1983 they were on a different level.The talent pool was amazing back then too!

Also really nice & respectful that some younger racers mentioned above care to know & find out about these guys,
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a22
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a22 6/28/2019 11:17am
6/28/2019 11:17am
a22 wrote:
I guess you could say that winning what Paul did- he was like an actual mini cycle 'World Champion' of the time, not just National. Reason...
I guess you could say that winning what Paul did- he was like an actual mini cycle 'World Champion' of the time, not just National. Reason I say this a s been posted- there was a very interesting race- maybe one of the first events organised. Was an 'International Race' in UK- Trentham Gardens I think- 1983-1984.
U.S sent Paul Denis and a bundle of other amazing riders, think Larry Brooks also may have been there- cannot remember all the US riders but they were some of the very best of the time. 'Hammering Hank Moree' may also have been there- abit younger- there were alot of the top US lads- wish I could remember the names
Paul won the event- against many top International riders of the day and seriously quick riders who did good in GP's later. Pretty damn cool to also have a seriously good bike named after you (the Paul Replica- PR50)- probably one of the quickest 50's to have ever existed!

It always makes me really wonder how Paul never did so good as a pro- he was surely as fast as pretty much anyone you would have thought at that time... Would have thought he could have run with Wardy and O' Mara even.

RIP and GODSPEED the NMAchamp!
Hamster 75 wrote:
I remember racing in that Trentham Gardens race with Paul in 1983 & we chatted quite a bit over the weekend, was a nice lad, what...
I remember racing in that Trentham Gardens race with Paul in 1983 & we chatted quite a bit over the weekend, was a nice lad, what an amazing rider he was, most of us hadn't seen anyone that fast at the time.

My pal still has Pauls, Griffin race pants from that meeting, sad to say, quite worrying really as I am the same age born in 1966 & I knew a few riders in that race that are no longer with us today.

RIP Paul Denis
How damn cool is that! You must have been quite a fast rider to have got in that event?
I remember it fairly well and have always found this race and event interesting.
Must have kind of been one of the very first International events for the Youths at that time. Wish I was quick enough to have got in it!! Sadly not! Hahah.

That is very cool about Paul giving your pal his racing gear at that event- what a rider!
Rip NMA Champ.
BobbyM
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BobbyM 6/28/2019 12:07pm
6/28/2019 12:07pm
UpTiTe wrote:
Early 80s minibike star Paul Denis who posted here as NMACHAMP has passed away from heart failure, sad news.
Damn sorry to hear, dude rode great.
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Hamster 75 6/28/2019 1:44pm
6/28/2019 1:44pm Edited Date/Time 6/29/2019 7:26am
a22 wrote:
I guess you could say that winning what Paul did- he was like an actual mini cycle 'World Champion' of the time, not just National. Reason...
I guess you could say that winning what Paul did- he was like an actual mini cycle 'World Champion' of the time, not just National. Reason I say this a s been posted- there was a very interesting race- maybe one of the first events organised. Was an 'International Race' in UK- Trentham Gardens I think- 1983-1984.
U.S sent Paul Denis and a bundle of other amazing riders, think Larry Brooks also may have been there- cannot remember all the US riders but they were some of the very best of the time. 'Hammering Hank Moree' may also have been there- abit younger- there were alot of the top US lads- wish I could remember the names
Paul won the event- against many top International riders of the day and seriously quick riders who did good in GP's later. Pretty damn cool to also have a seriously good bike named after you (the Paul Replica- PR50)- probably one of the quickest 50's to have ever existed!

It always makes me really wonder how Paul never did so good as a pro- he was surely as fast as pretty much anyone you would have thought at that time... Would have thought he could have run with Wardy and O' Mara even.

RIP and GODSPEED the NMAchamp!
Hamster 75 wrote:
I remember racing in that Trentham Gardens race with Paul in 1983 & we chatted quite a bit over the weekend, was a nice lad, what...
I remember racing in that Trentham Gardens race with Paul in 1983 & we chatted quite a bit over the weekend, was a nice lad, what an amazing rider he was, most of us hadn't seen anyone that fast at the time.

My pal still has Pauls, Griffin race pants from that meeting, sad to say, quite worrying really as I am the same age born in 1966 & I knew a few riders in that race that are no longer with us today.

RIP Paul Denis
a22 wrote:
How damn cool is that! You must have been quite a fast rider to have got in that event? I remember it fairly well and have...
How damn cool is that! You must have been quite a fast rider to have got in that event?
I remember it fairly well and have always found this race and event interesting.
Must have kind of been one of the very first International events for the Youths at that time. Wish I was quick enough to have got in it!! Sadly not! Hahah.

That is very cool about Paul giving your pal his racing gear at that event- what a rider!
Rip NMA Champ.
This was a commemorative plate from that event given to the riders, I believe it was the biggest youth event at that time 1983,

Paul Denis RIP was 1st 125 cc Expert Class






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a22
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a22 6/29/2019 5:20pm
6/29/2019 5:20pm
Thats excellent- really good pictures also of the commerative plates, that is interesting. For sure was an groundbreaking event.

Think also around 1980 there was an International youth meeting in Holland, a few of our top riders attended. That maybe was the very first kinda attempt at 'International', or European Anyway.

So cool how Paul Denis won at Trentham Gardens in that event you speak of and you got to hang out with him and chat and race, such great years those times were and was more than a few very quick riders.

RIP NMAChamp.
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Bree_Denis 1/9/2020 8:24am
1/9/2020 8:24am
Sully wrote:
That’s a damn shame. Definitely too young to pass like that. Was he even 50?
He had just turned 52...he passed away at around 8pm on his grandson's birthday.. I'm his daughter by the way.
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Motoman79
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Motoman79 1/9/2020 8:37am
1/9/2020 8:37am
So sorry for your loss Bree
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PRM31 1/9/2020 9:51am
1/9/2020 9:51am
Sorry to hear. I was racing around that time. Definitely too young!
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jeffro503 1/9/2020 10:20am
1/9/2020 10:20am
Bree_Denis wrote:
He had just turned 52...he passed away at around 8pm on his grandson's birthday.. I'm his daughter by the way.
Really sorry for your loss Bree. I remember reading so much about Paul and all the other fast kids like him in the late 70's and early 80's. Your dad was something real special on mini's........and could claim to be the best mini rider on the planet at one time. That's something to really be proud of , and yeah , your dad is in the legends category for sure. RIP Paul.
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dadofagun 1/9/2020 2:24pm
1/9/2020 2:24pm Edited Date/Time 1/9/2020 3:55pm
Sully wrote:
That’s a damn shame. Definitely too young to pass like that. Was he even 50?
Bree_Denis wrote:
He had just turned 52...he passed away at around 8pm on his grandson's birthday.. I'm his daughter by the way.
Had a few good visits with your Dad about the good old days of Ponca, racing Italjets, Team Green in the early 80's.......all good times. Your Dad was something real special growing up, and it was really cool being on the same team with him for awhile. He being older than me, had to see my age group as a bunch of little twerps, but he didn't act that way towards me at all. He was really positive, and treated a little kid as one should, being older and a teenage mini star. Your Grandpa Jack ( I hope I'm remembering his name correctly!) was a hoot as well! I'm so sorry for your loss, he passed way, way too soon..... Glad you joined us here as we can remember your Daddy for the star he was to all who witnessed him flying around a track, and the cool guy he was off of it.
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Sully
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Sully 1/9/2020 4:07pm
1/9/2020 4:07pm
Bree_Denis wrote:
He had just turned 52...he passed away at around 8pm on his grandson's birthday.. I'm his daughter by the way.
jeffro503 wrote:
Really sorry for your loss Bree. I remember reading so much about Paul and all the other fast kids like him in the late 70's and...
Really sorry for your loss Bree. I remember reading so much about Paul and all the other fast kids like him in the late 70's and early 80's. Your dad was something real special on mini's........and could claim to be the best mini rider on the planet at one time. That's something to really be proud of , and yeah , your dad is in the legends category for sure. RIP Paul.
"...and could claim to be the best mini rider on the planet at one time."

And that's a huge accomplishment when you consider the mini scene at the time.

I'm sorry for your loss, Bree.
project racer 1/9/2020 4:24pm
1/9/2020 4:24pm
I want to say the 91 rider is Paul.


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Hamster 75 8/27/2020 4:44pm
8/27/2020 4:44pm
Sully wrote:
That’s a damn shame. Definitely too young to pass like that. Was he even 50?
Bree_Denis wrote:
He had just turned 52...he passed away at around 8pm on his grandson's birthday.. I'm his daughter by the way.
Hello Bree

I am so sorry about your dad & I've just looked back again into this thread about him, I raced with your dad back in 1983 in England & he was an amazing rider & such a nice kind lad, we were youths.

I chatted with him quite a lot during that week in the UK, I am 53 years old now & have a daughter aged 19 years so really feel sad for Paul & your family, wish I could have talked to him again! RIP Paul.

As said earlier in the thread your dad gave my best pal his riding pants that day & he always kept them since,
we often talk about those times in our youth, I cant promise but maybe I can get him to part with them for you.






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Boomslang 8/27/2020 10:57pm
8/27/2020 10:57pm
Sully wrote:
That’s a damn shame. Definitely too young to pass like that. Was he even 50?
Bree_Denis wrote:
He had just turned 52...he passed away at around 8pm on his grandson's birthday.. I'm his daughter by the way.
Really sad. As kids Paul was idolized by us South Africans. Condolences to you all.

RIP Paul.
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Boomslang 8/27/2020 11:17pm
8/27/2020 11:17pm
daemon616 wrote:
Rest In Power.
Really lame. Make it right by deleting that comment and apologize to Paul's family member here.
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andymoto
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andymoto 8/29/2020 4:31pm
8/29/2020 4:31pm
My condolences to the entire Denis family and dear friends.

Thought Paul raced one of the last Saddleback 125 Nat'ls, but RX says he never raced any.Nat'ls.

God Bless you Paul Denis. Think the late Tim Aston raced against Paul as well.

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a22
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a22 9/5/2022 2:50pm
9/5/2022 2:50pm Edited Date/Time 9/5/2022 2:55pm
Sully wrote:
That’s a damn shame. Definitely too young to pass like that. Was he even 50?
Bree_Denis wrote:
He had just turned 52...he passed away at around 8pm on his grandson's birthday.. I'm his daughter by the way.
Hamster 75 wrote:
Hello Bree I am so sorry about your dad & I've just looked back again into this thread about him, I raced with your dad back...
Hello Bree

I am so sorry about your dad & I've just looked back again into this thread about him, I raced with your dad back in 1983 in England & he was an amazing rider & such a nice kind lad, we were youths.

I chatted with him quite a lot during that week in the UK, I am 53 years old now & have a daughter aged 19 years so really feel sad for Paul & your family, wish I could have talked to him again! RIP Paul.

As said earlier in the thread your dad gave my best pal his riding pants that day & he always kept them since,
we often talk about those times in our youth, I cant promise but maybe I can get him to part with them for you.






Just randomly found this super 1983 Trentham Gardens video of the event- Paul Denis doing his stuff and winning the Expert event- also Malin / Dobb and many more future stars in the classes. Really cool old video- they are giving it some! Really good production given the year was 1983. Really fast riding- some top riders in there.
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Darrin Willis
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Darrin Willis 9/6/2022 6:03am
9/6/2022 6:03am
Great video!!! Around 35 min in is incredible footage of Paul. First time I've seen video of him . He had great style. Seriously hauling ass on a super cool technical track. So why did he quit racing? Did he ever race a national on a 125? I was a fan. My riding buddies said I looked like him off the bike. Lol
mxking6
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mxking6 9/6/2022 7:10am
9/6/2022 7:10am
Sorry to hear this. Paul was a good guy and one of the best mini riders I’ve ever seen.
Hamster 75 9/6/2022 10:32am
9/6/2022 10:32am
Bree_Denis wrote:
He had just turned 52...he passed away at around 8pm on his grandson's birthday.. I'm his daughter by the way.
Hamster 75 wrote:
Hello Bree I am so sorry about your dad & I've just looked back again into this thread about him, I raced with your dad back...
Hello Bree

I am so sorry about your dad & I've just looked back again into this thread about him, I raced with your dad back in 1983 in England & he was an amazing rider & such a nice kind lad, we were youths.

I chatted with him quite a lot during that week in the UK, I am 53 years old now & have a daughter aged 19 years so really feel sad for Paul & your family, wish I could have talked to him again! RIP Paul.

As said earlier in the thread your dad gave my best pal his riding pants that day & he always kept them since,
we often talk about those times in our youth, I cant promise but maybe I can get him to part with them for you.






a22 wrote:
Just randomly found this super 1983 Trentham Gardens video of the event- Paul Denis doing his stuff and winning the Expert event- also Malin / Dobb...
Just randomly found this super 1983 Trentham Gardens video of the event- Paul Denis doing his stuff and winning the Expert event- also Malin / Dobb and many more future stars in the classes. Really cool old video- they are giving it some! Really good production given the year was 1983. Really fast riding- some top riders in there.
Great video thanks for posting, I watched it a little while ago & still exciting racing, there's a few of my old schoolboy mates in that race, also Garry Powell RIP

I always feel a bit sad when I think back, Paul Denis was an amazing rider & would have definitely shone through at some point as a pro..

I believe he did do a couple of Nationals around 14th position, I might be wrong though if anybody knows?

Heard he became disillusioned with the pro ranks when lapped by Johnny O'Mara, I read somewhere on here, shame he`s not around to tell us..
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Wandell
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Wandell 9/6/2022 11:17am
9/6/2022 11:17am
Paul was one of my heros as a kid as he was one of the top amateur riders. I spoke with him a couple times on this site and he seemed like a good man. RIP
UpTiTe
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UpTiTe 9/6/2022 11:38am
9/6/2022 11:38am
Darrin Willis wrote:
Great video!!! Around 35 min in is incredible footage of Paul. First time I've seen video of him . He had great style. Seriously hauling ass...
Great video!!! Around 35 min in is incredible footage of Paul. First time I've seen video of him . He had great style. Seriously hauling ass on a super cool technical track. So why did he quit racing? Did he ever race a national on a 125? I was a fan. My riding buddies said I looked like him off the bike. Lol
He couldn’t make the transition to big bikes. He was racing locally and was struggling and just burned out and quit.

He would practice and look real fast, but just never could get over the hump.
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philG
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philG 9/6/2022 12:00pm
9/6/2022 12:00pm
I was at that race, had a broken wrist and slept in my car.

It was boiling hot and a great event. .
1
Hamster 75 9/6/2022 1:58pm
9/6/2022 1:58pm


Not a great picture but this was a picture my dad took of the Expert 125cc line up, I have a few from that meeting, I think Paul is somewhere in the middle no helmet on, they were massive line ups in them days 40 + on the line I remember some starting behind I am about 8th in from the left next to Andrew Manley KTM, & can also see Carl Shaw is No3 on the Cagiva, wish I was still young.
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a22
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a22 9/6/2022 2:12pm
9/6/2022 2:12pm
Hamster 75 wrote:
Great video thanks for posting, I watched it a little while ago & still exciting racing, there's a few of my old schoolboy mates in that...
Great video thanks for posting, I watched it a little while ago & still exciting racing, there's a few of my old schoolboy mates in that race, also Garry Powell RIP

I always feel a bit sad when I think back, Paul Denis was an amazing rider & would have definitely shone through at some point as a pro..

I believe he did do a couple of Nationals around 14th position, I might be wrong though if anybody knows?

Heard he became disillusioned with the pro ranks when lapped by Johnny O'Mara, I read somewhere on here, shame he`s not around to tell us..
Yes- I heard similar about O'Mara and also ties in with what UpTite says above, had a friend on Vital, not sure if he posts much on here nowdays who chatted with Paul abit and also raced the younger NMA classes and said Paul was practising and O'Mara and Ward came by him and he just said 'he just can't be done with it' and jacked it in!
Kind of seems odd given the talent he clearly had and you would have thought he could have got real quick like them eventually. Maybe he got abit burnt out after all the mini racing, happened to a few of the quick lads here when they went adult.

Post a reply to: RIP Paul Denis.