Bruce Bunch, Rick Hemme, Kyle Fleming

Webcokid
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Webcokid 10/7/2017 10:08am
10/7/2017 10:08am Edited Date/Time 10/7/2017 10:10am
The story by Bret Smith was good. Can't say I really knew Kyle and Rick, but certainly had great respect for them. Bruce was a cool kid, and always had a lot of fun hanging out with him. He was a good bike rider. I still drive by his house on Barkley st. , and remember the jumps and tracks we had. I'd never bought an Oakley product before, yet had used some goggles at the track a few years back. I'll never quite understood why Dana had to do that, why we will never know. The story helped me forgive Dana, for which is very hard, yet know it's best to let it go! I bought a pair of Oakley sunglasses last week, and have officially put my anger to rest. Im sure Bruce would like the shades!
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Brett Smith
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Brett Smith 10/9/2017 5:34pm
10/9/2017 5:34pm Edited Date/Time 10/9/2017 5:34pm
Webcokid wrote:
The story by Bret Smith was good. Can't say I really knew Kyle and Rick, but certainly had great respect for them. Bruce was a cool...
The story by Bret Smith was good. Can't say I really knew Kyle and Rick, but certainly had great respect for them. Bruce was a cool kid, and always had a lot of fun hanging out with him. He was a good bike rider. I still drive by his house on Barkley st. , and remember the jumps and tracks we had. I'd never bought an Oakley product before, yet had used some goggles at the track a few years back. I'll never quite understood why Dana had to do that, why we will never know. The story helped me forgive Dana, for which is very hard, yet know it's best to let it go! I bought a pair of Oakley sunglasses last week, and have officially put my anger to rest. Im sure Bruce would like the shades!
Thanks, Tony! Glad you like it and thank you for reading it. You're the the first person I've heard say that about Dana. It's touching. I obviously come into this story with a different perspective, having not known (or known of) any of these people before I started. I just wanted to tell the story. I hope it gives some people a little bit of peace.
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Dragoo168
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Dragoo168 2/1/2018 11:42am
2/1/2018 11:42am
RobNaughton wrote:
Carl gave me that hat shortly after the accident, I've had it on display on one of my Fleming memorial trophies ever since, I have a...
Carl gave me that hat shortly after the accident, I've had it on display on one of my Fleming memorial trophies ever since, I have a picture of it somewhere in this thread. When Carl told me he wanted to wear it to the BMX Hall of Fame I got in my car that day and drove it to him.
That's cool...
a22
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a22 2/14/2018 5:13am
2/14/2018 5:13am Edited Date/Time 2/14/2018 3:09pm
The other night I was watching Ron Lechien Documentary on youtube...Ron Documentary
right at the end (20.54-21.00 mins), there is a tiny bit of footage that may briefly show some R&D Suzuki's, poss Bruce and the others even?

Not totally sure, as its very short and abit grainy but does look like the no 6 that Bruce seemed to run, along with the distinctive helmet, does look abit like a couple or so of R&D Suzuki's. Pity it does not show abit more footage- is a good documentary by the way

That period of racing seemed so cool and the riders and competion seemed fierce and it was prestigious if you managed to do well, as these guys surely did.

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Richard Tease II 6/5/2018 3:22pm
6/5/2018 3:22pm
So many photos on here that don’t load anymore. Be good if people could repost or submit new photos for this awesome (but tragic) thread
Brett Smith
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Brett Smith 6/6/2018 5:02am
6/6/2018 5:02am
Richard Tease II wrote:
So many photos on here that don’t load anymore. Be good if people could repost or submit new photos for this awesome (but tragic) thread
There's a Facebook group that you can ask to join. I think it's called "You Should Know Bruce Bunch". You can also orders back issues of the magazine that I wrote the article in last year. readmeta.com

It was issue #009. There are photos in there that nobody had seen for a very long time.

Thanks,

Brett
a22
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a22 6/9/2018 1:27pm
6/9/2018 1:27pm Edited Date/Time 6/9/2018 1:35pm
Brett Smith wrote:
There's a Facebook group that you can ask to join. I think it's called "You Should Know Bruce Bunch". You can also orders back issues of...
There's a Facebook group that you can ask to join. I think it's called "You Should Know Bruce Bunch". You can also orders back issues of the magazine that I wrote the article in last year. readmeta.com

It was issue #009. There are photos in there that nobody had seen for a very long time.

Thanks,

Brett
Thanks for the Facebook info Brett, did not even know about that- being abit of a fan of these fine 3 riders. I could look at the pics and I am not on Facebook even, so was very cool. Some really good pictures and stories, there is a really great pic of Bruce getting all crossed up over a jump- fantastic! Kind of looks abit like that famous Hannah pic, where he has all his legs flying about off a jump, except Bruce is probably about 14 years old!!
Thoroughly recommend anyone having a look at this Facebook page- some great pics and stories in memory of this fantastic young rider and Rick and Kyle also.

Surely was a great period of racing those years and the talented riders that came with it.
Whymee
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Whymee 5/26/2019 6:36am
5/26/2019 6:36am
I will say upfront that I did not know any one in question that this thread has talked about at the time that it was happening. Being from WV I was motocross poor. I could barely keep fresh tires on my RM and afford to compete in D5. Let alone afford the additional cost of Cycle News.

I just read through this 12 pager. Also read the article in Meta. Brett that has to be one of the best articles that I have ever read about the sport that I have been involved in for the better part of 40 years. Powerful journalism.

May the people involved (either living or deceased) find their peace. They certainly deserve it...
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Brett Smith
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Brett Smith 5/28/2019 6:40am
5/28/2019 6:40am
Whymee wrote:
I will say upfront that I did not know any one in question that this thread has talked about at the time that it was happening...
I will say upfront that I did not know any one in question that this thread has talked about at the time that it was happening. Being from WV I was motocross poor. I could barely keep fresh tires on my RM and afford to compete in D5. Let alone afford the additional cost of Cycle News.

I just read through this 12 pager. Also read the article in Meta. Brett that has to be one of the best articles that I have ever read about the sport that I have been involved in for the better part of 40 years. Powerful journalism.

May the people involved (either living or deceased) find their peace. They certainly deserve it...
Whymee,

Thank you so much for reading that article and taking the time to send such a kind note. It was quite an experience writing that.

If you liked "The Darkest Day in Motocross", check out my website wewentfast.com. Lots more moto stories there.

- Brett
a22
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a22 12/6/2021 2:31pm
12/6/2021 2:31pm
Really beautiful pic of Bruce, Rick and Larry from the time.

Mike P. posted it in another thread but figured appropriate to include in this thread as a memorial of these two super riders, alongside Kyle.

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Sully
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Sully 7/21/2022 10:19pm
7/21/2022 10:19pm
The 40th anniversary of this tragedy is coming up in a couple of weeks, so I thought I'd post this cool video featuring Bruce and Rick that Motokiwi posted in another thread last week. It definitely would have been cool to have gotten to see these kids ride in person.

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Webcokid
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Webcokid 7/28/2022 12:03pm
7/28/2022 12:03pm
a22 wrote:
Really beautiful pic of Bruce, Rick and Larry from the time. Mike P. posted it in another thread but figured appropriate to include in this thread...
Really beautiful pic of Bruce, Rick and Larry from the time.

Mike P. posted it in another thread but figured appropriate to include in this thread as a memorial of these two super riders, alongside Kyle.

So, many people look at this photo and simply see the R&D boys at Ponca. But there is much more to it. Bruce is wearing a Shaun Kalos hat and being the usual smart ass as he was. Then Bruce has a cast on his left wrist, from how they kept secret from what really happened, yet some know the "truth". lol. He shaved the hand part down with a razor blade, so he could hang on and work the clutch as needed. Lastly, this was to be his last race and insisted on attending, although Suzuki did not require him to race. Look closely, Bruce does not have any R&D Racing gear on? Without public announcement, he had been signed as an Factory Suzuki rider and could only wear the Suzuki name. The minute this race ended he would become a pro, yet we all know what happened instead. He signed for a substantial amount of money as well, and some know the actual figure...Guess Who?

Webco Kid: Saddleback Park, Calif.
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Webcokid
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Webcokid 7/28/2022 12:04pm
7/28/2022 12:04pm
Sully wrote:
The 40th anniversary of this tragedy is coming up in a couple of weeks, so I thought I'd post this cool video featuring Bruce and Rick...
The 40th anniversary of this tragedy is coming up in a couple of weeks, so I thought I'd post this cool video featuring Bruce and Rick that Motokiwi posted in another thread last week. It definitely would have been cool to have gotten to see these kids ride in person.

This was really great to see. Thank you for posting, as it brought back alot of memories.
Webco Kid
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Brett Smith
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Brett Smith 8/1/2022 6:33am
8/1/2022 6:33am
It's with a heavy heart that we observe August 1 and the haunting memories the date brings. Forty years ago today the motocross world lost 3 future champions and the Bunch, Hemme and Fleming families each lost a child.

We Went Fast has reprinted "The Darkest Day in Motocross", which, in 2017 appeared in the journal formerly known as META.

To read online: https://www.wewentfast.com/2022/08/01/darkestday/

To listen to the podcast version, find the "We Went Fast" podcast channel in your preferred player and look for episode #19. Or listen directly on the We Went Fast website by clicking here.

It's been an honor and a privilege to care for the memory of these boys. Please share this story with a friend.

- Brett
@wewentfast
wewentfast.com
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Sully
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Sully 8/1/2022 11:35pm
8/1/2022 11:35pm
Brett Smith wrote:
It's with a heavy heart that we observe August 1 and the haunting memories the date brings. Forty years ago today the motocross world lost 3...
It's with a heavy heart that we observe August 1 and the haunting memories the date brings. Forty years ago today the motocross world lost 3 future champions and the Bunch, Hemme and Fleming families each lost a child.

We Went Fast has reprinted "The Darkest Day in Motocross", which, in 2017 appeared in the journal formerly known as META.

To read online: https://www.wewentfast.com/2022/08/01/darkestday/

To listen to the podcast version, find the "We Went Fast" podcast channel in your preferred player and look for episode #19. Or listen directly on the We Went Fast website by clicking here.

It's been an honor and a privilege to care for the memory of these boys. Please share this story with a friend.

- Brett
@wewentfast
wewentfast.com
Just finished reading it. Great work as always, Brett.
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RobNaughton 12/15/2022 8:42am
12/15/2022 8:42am

Finally, the project begins, a project that is close to my heart, a project that I feel will be one of the coolest motorcycle restorations in memory Bruce Bunch, Rick Hemme and my best friend Kyle Fleming. 
Bruce, Rick and Kyle were three of Team R&D Suzuki’s brightest future motocross stars. 
Many feel the record books would look different today if it weren’t for that fateful day in 1982 at Ponca City. 

In 2017, Brett J. Smith wrote the book “The Darkest Day in Motocross” diving into the details of the accident that took these three kids. It was an good book that shed a lot of light and details I didn’t even know. But more importantly, it brought the memory and story of these three amazing kids to a new generation of motocross riders and fans that never heard or knew the story. 
Because of Bret’s book, I got the idea to do three 1982 Suzuki RM 80’s in memory of Rick, Bruce and Kyle. 
This project won’t be easy. The 1982 RM80 was a one year bike, not only is finding them hard, it’s tough to find parts.   Back then, the NMA Grand Nationals Championships had a stock, modified and 105 class. My goal is to restore these three bikes just as their stock race bikes would have been that week at Ponca, complete with numbers, decals etc. 
I am then hoping to display them along with Bret’s “The Darkest Day in Motocross”article telling the story.   Ideally I would like to take them to the biggest amateur national events in America for everyone to remember these kids and know the story. And then ultimately, end up on display at whatever the biggest or most popular motocross museum is in America.  Let me know if you have any idea. 
This project also would not be possible without the help of my friend Paul DeLenoit of PDG Moto Builds.  Paul is arguably one of the best vintage bike restorers there is.  His builds are beautiful, perfect, extremely detailed and second to none. Check out his Facebook and instagram to see some of his art work. 
If anyone out there who were close to these three riders or just likes the story and wants to help, please let me know as it’s not an inexpensive venture.  Your name or company name will be listed on a plaque thanking those who helped support this project. 
We will keep everyone up to date as the project moves forward.

 

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AZ35
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AZ35 1/5/2023 2:23pm
1/5/2023 2:23pm
RobNaughton wrote:
Finally, the project begins, a project that is close to my heart, a project that I feel will be one of the coolest motorcycle restorations in...

Finally, the project begins, a project that is close to my heart, a project that I feel will be one of the coolest motorcycle restorations in memory Bruce Bunch, Rick Hemme and my best friend Kyle Fleming. 
Bruce, Rick and Kyle were three of Team R&D Suzuki’s brightest future motocross stars. 
Many feel the record books would look different today if it weren’t for that fateful day in 1982 at Ponca City. 

In 2017, Brett J. Smith wrote the book “The Darkest Day in Motocross” diving into the details of the accident that took these three kids. It was an good book that shed a lot of light and details I didn’t even know. But more importantly, it brought the memory and story of these three amazing kids to a new generation of motocross riders and fans that never heard or knew the story. 
Because of Bret’s book, I got the idea to do three 1982 Suzuki RM 80’s in memory of Rick, Bruce and Kyle. 
This project won’t be easy. The 1982 RM80 was a one year bike, not only is finding them hard, it’s tough to find parts.   Back then, the NMA Grand Nationals Championships had a stock, modified and 105 class. My goal is to restore these three bikes just as their stock race bikes would have been that week at Ponca, complete with numbers, decals etc. 
I am then hoping to display them along with Bret’s “The Darkest Day in Motocross”article telling the story.   Ideally I would like to take them to the biggest amateur national events in America for everyone to remember these kids and know the story. And then ultimately, end up on display at whatever the biggest or most popular motocross museum is in America.  Let me know if you have any idea. 
This project also would not be possible without the help of my friend Paul DeLenoit of PDG Moto Builds.  Paul is arguably one of the best vintage bike restorers there is.  His builds are beautiful, perfect, extremely detailed and second to none. Check out his Facebook and instagram to see some of his art work. 
If anyone out there who were close to these three riders or just likes the story and wants to help, please let me know as it’s not an inexpensive venture.  Your name or company name will be listed on a plaque thanking those who helped support this project. 
We will keep everyone up to date as the project moves forward.

 

Awesome project Fig, I'll send you a PM with my contact info (if I can figure out how to do that...)

We alternate between Phoenix and Flagstaff most every week (we have businesses in both areas), I would be happy to help you working on the bikes and/or transporting parts or parts bikes if you are able to find anything in the Phoenix area to bring to Flagstaff. And we can kick in a few bucks to help you get started.

Randy Shipley

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RobNaughton
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RobNaughton 12/28/2023 1:33pm
12/28/2023 1:33pm Edited Date/Time 12/28/2023 1:37pm

I just realized I haven’t posted updated pictures of these bikes completed.  Huge thanks to Paul at PGD MotoBuilds for his help with this project, his work is second to none and I couldn’t have done this project without his help.
The bikes will be on display at Anaheim Supercross (not sure if it will be A1 or A2 as of this posting), and the Phoenix Supercross with the Legends and Hero’s booth.  There will also be RacerX video coming soon on this project.IMG 4408.jpeg?VersionId=0MlEHqmqRyvkVWEsY

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Sully
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Sully 12/28/2023 5:51pm
12/28/2023 5:51pm
RobNaughton wrote:

IMG 4409 1

Wow, those turned out beautiful. I love the milk crate under the Fleming bike, taking it old school. Looking forward to the Racer X video.

RobNaughton
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RobNaughton 12/28/2023 7:19pm
12/28/2023 7:19pm
RobNaughton wrote:

IMG 4409 1

Sully wrote:
Wow, those turned out beautiful. I love the milk crate under the Fleming bike, taking it old school. Looking forward to the Racer X video.

Wow, those turned out beautiful. I love the milk crate under the Fleming bike, taking it old school. Looking forward to the Racer X video.

Thank you, actually we’ve put together matching stands for the three bikes, but in hindsight, maybe I should have just used three milk crates. 😂  That’s what we did back then.

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hilton92
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hilton92 12/28/2023 8:25pm
12/28/2023 8:25pm
RobNaughton wrote:

IMG 4409 1

Sully wrote:
Wow, those turned out beautiful. I love the milk crate under the Fleming bike, taking it old school. Looking forward to the Racer X video.

Wow, those turned out beautiful. I love the milk crate under the Fleming bike, taking it old school. Looking forward to the Racer X video.

RobNaughton wrote:
Thank you, actually we’ve put together matching stands for the three bikes, but in hindsight, maybe I should have just used three milk crates. 😂  That’s...

Thank you, actually we’ve put together matching stands for the three bikes, but in hindsight, maybe I should have just used three milk crates. 😂  That’s what we did back then.

Great job Fig

shawn hilton

 

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JBlain619
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JBlain619 4/15/2024 10:22am
4/15/2024 10:22am
RobNaughton wrote:

IMG 4409 1

Sully wrote:
Wow, those turned out beautiful. I love the milk crate under the Fleming bike, taking it old school. Looking forward to the Racer X video.

Wow, those turned out beautiful. I love the milk crate under the Fleming bike, taking it old school. Looking forward to the Racer X video.

RobNaughton wrote:
Thank you, actually we’ve put together matching stands for the three bikes, but in hindsight, maybe I should have just used three milk crates. 😂  That’s...

Thank you, actually we’ve put together matching stands for the three bikes, but in hindsight, maybe I should have just used three milk crates. 😂  That’s what we did back then.

Did the video ever come out?  Amazing job on the build!

1

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