Flanders had put up an amazing fight. Doctors gave him six months to live when he was diagnosed with Chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) disease almost twelve years ago. Chemotherapy, trails drugs and group procedures, Bruce did it all. Some showed short term promise but a cure or even stabilization was not to be. Things took a tragic turn when Bruce’s wife Vickie Flanders passed unexpectedly last year. In perfect health, her passing not only robbed Bruce of the love of his life but also of his caretaker. Although Bruce hid the hurt and stress it was there. Unfortunately, no one could help, it was what it was.
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Bruce and Vickie Flanders
Daughter Megan Flanders moved back home and became his caretaker. His brothers Paul and John and Bruce’s best friend Ike Clanton along with Flanders relatives did their share to help with both the physical and mental part of this terrible situation.
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Megan Flanders
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The Flanders Brothers L/R: John – Paul - Bruce
The day before Bruce passed I went to see him. In and out on consciousness I sat there next to him till he woke. I told stories about our lifelong friendship. Unfortunately, Bruce’s speech was very limited and difficult to understand so all he could do is listen. I did most of the talking and he responded with head shakes or garbled replies. Still very much interested in what was going on it was wonderful but after a while, Bruce dozed off again. Still I was pleased cause during that short time the Flanders I love and respect relived a lifetime.
Flanders' home phone rang consistently. Even though all the calls went to an answering machine there was a device by his hospital bed that allowed him to hear the person who was leaving the message. Unfortunately, he could no longer move more than a few inches so all Bruce could do is listen but he enjoyed hearing all those positive messages that friends and strangers left.
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L/R: Bruce Flanders – Harald Zechner – Terry Clanton – Bob Brayton
The calls, emails and social media posts were one of the few positive things Bruce had left. Because he would sleep 22 hours a day Megan played or read them to Bruce when he was awake. Sometimes several times. They would always bring a smile to his face.
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Bruce Flanders was born in Pasadena as were his two brothers John and Paul. Their Canadian dad Earl married Lucile from Altadena California. Earl liked Speedway and at its pre-war height, he raced four or five venues a week. In 1948 he won the AMA Jack Pine Enduro.
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Earl and Lucile Flanders loved motorcycling and racing
In August of 1945 Earl and Lucile opened Flanders Company. In the 50's they became the Western U.S. Distributor for BMW and NSU motorcycles. A Flanders Racing team soon followed with riders likes Dave Ekins and Harlen Bast. It was a great joy and education for three boys growing up around racing and the networks that support it.
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The family that motorcycles together stays together and the Flanders family did it all. Earl was an AMA competition committee member, AMA district referee and Southern California race promoter. Earl also managed the annual speed trials held on the Utah Salt Flats.
Speedway, Enduro, Desert, Bonneville, it didn't matter. Bruce Flanders loved motorcycles as much as his mom and dad did. Earl and Lucile Flanders and Bruce are in the Trailblazers Hall of Fame.
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Earl and Lucile Flanders at the Trailblazers Banquet
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(L) Larry Huffman and (R) Don Emde with 2018 Trailblazers Hall of Fame inductee Bruce Flanders
Middle brother Bruce graduated from Saint Francis High School in La Canada California. An AA degree in Business at Pasadena City College was planed but Geology, a very visual science was a course requirement. Bruce being colorblind ended up dropping the class. Now carrying less than 15 and 1/2 college units Flanders was drafted. On his 21st birthday, Bruce was in boot camp and by his 22nd in Vietnam. He served in the Army from 1966 through 1968. He never talked about it. War is hell.
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A young Bruce Flanders
Normal life returned once Bruce became a civilian again. Motorcycles, Flanders Company, racing. Bruce was enjoying it all. Tradition dictated that every year in August, Earl and the boys went to Bonneville. Bruce became an announcer there in 1968.
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Family friend Jack Milne was putting a deal together to run Speedway in Orange County and needed an announcer. Jack's first choice was Earl Flanders but he declined and recommend Bruce for the job. On Friday, June 13, 1969, Bruce Flanders became the first announcer at Costa Mesa Speedway.
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An upcoming work commitment to announce at Bonneville required a short absence from Speedway. When Bruce returned Larry Huffman had replaced him as the Costa Mesa announcer.
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Motorsports announcers L/R: Larry Huffman and Bruce Flanders
No hard feelings Bruce would rather race. 1970 saw him competing at Costa Mesa on a JAP owned by Butch Fairchild. His next machine was a Velocette powered Speedway bike that Flanders Company shop foreman George Williams designed and helped build. Longtime Velocette aficionado Ernie Pico provided the motor. It was a very light combination but suffered from too much chassis flex.
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Bruce Flanders and Paul Flanders with the Speedway Bike that was custom built at Flanders Company
A Division-1 rider in Lancaster and Bakersfield and D-2 at Costa Mesa Bruce raced Speedway for four years. Unfortunately, it was Flanders the announcer that got all the attention. Bruce retired from active competition in 1974 when Lions Drag Strip hired him to be their Motor Cross announcer.
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Bruce Flanders holding his original racing leathers
In 1975 Bruce Flanders was announcing Speedway Motorcycles four nights a week. Car promoters also came calling. In 1977 Ascot hired him to announce their Saturday night Sprint Car show.
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Bruce Flanders gets the crowd going at Inland Motorcycle Speedway
Known for doing his homework demand for Flanders services grew. In 1978 it was over100 gigs. The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, Formula Atlantic, the Toyota Pro-Celebrity Race, and Oldsmobile Pro Series were just a few of Bruce's clients. Del Mar, Caesars Palace, Sears Point, Glen Helen, IMS and dozens more utilized his services.
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There were TV and cable shows. In 1983 Bruce hosted two Formula One shows for television. He also hosted award-winning television productions for Mickey Thompson, Ultimate Frisbee, the short-lived "Fast Company" and many more.
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Bruce Flanders interviews Speedway World Champion Bruce Penhall for a RAZ Video Production
In 2008 Bruce came down with pneumonia. Hardly able to move he spent days in the hospital. A cigarette smoker for over forty years Bruce was diagnosed with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Almost always fatal they sent him home from the hospital to die. Quitting is not a family trait so Flanders' daughter Megan, son Mike and wife Vickie slowly nursed him back. Oxygen machines (24/7) and up to three-mile walks daily, Bruce regained his strength. Spending countless computer hours he searched for every COPD clinical trial on the internet. Often unaware these trials existed Bruce's doctors were amazed by his research. Often reluctant they approved his enrollment in a variety of cutting edge procedures. Some showed an improvement, some were disastrous.
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Following in his father’s footsteps Bruce Flanders son Michael is a Motorsports Announcer
“This new clinical trial has been the most invasive so far and I’m a little anxious about the whole deal,” Bruce told me after one such enrollment. “I always walk a lot but still had to increase my exercise regimen by around fifty percent to qualify. I needed to bring the most fit body that I could to this procedure. I sure hope I live long enough to see stem cell therapy help to fix this problem" he relayed.
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Lifelong friends Harald Zechner and Bruce Flanders
Flanders' best medicine was his announcing and even in the darkest hours, he performed. Unable to walk more than 10 steps at a time and always hooked up to an oxygen tank friends and family drove him to work. His voice still crisp and clear Bruce Flanders articulated why he was one of the best in the business. The fans gave him courage, the promoters gave respect. Even the racers were in awe.
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Right up till the end Bruce Flanders kept that golden voice that he was so well known for
"The Voice of Speedway" is a title the fans gave Bruce when he first announced the brakeless two-wheel circuit. A title richly deserved, fans, racers, sponsors and promoters loved the verbal excitement he brought to announcing. Bruce much like his dad Earl loves Speedway motorcycle racing.
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Picture of Bruce Flanders in Speedway Magazine
Wednesday nights Flanders announced Speedway at the Grand Arena in the City of Industry. "The Voice of Speedway" is so well respected there they hold an annual event in his honor each year. One of the season's biggest nights "The Bruce Flanders Ugly Hawaiian Shirt Contest" is so popular it has achieved cult status. Promoter Kelly Inman has already made plans to make this a Championship event in Bruce Flanders' honor.
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Bruce Flanders in one of his many “Ugly” Hawaiian Shirts
Flanders was also "The Voice of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach". Their announcer there since 1978 Bruce is admired for his proper pronunciation of all those foreign names and his knowledge of the cars and racers.
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2020 would have marked Flanders 42nd year of announcing at Long Beach had the race not been cancelled
Bruce was also the "The Voice of Irwindale Speedway". There since the track first opened in March of 1999 he announced NASCAR, USAC, Sprint Cars, SuperMoto, Monster Trucks, Demolition Derby and a host of other 2 and 4 wheel disciplines that raced at the 1/2 mile Super Speedway. Bruce announced there for 18 years before the Speedway closed. “I won't be working Saturday nights anymore he told me. I thought I would go before Irwindale Speedway did"
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A Birthday surprise featured Bruce Flanders on the cover of Irwindale Speedway Program
"I have announced more different forms of racing machines in more places for more different people and sanctioning bodies' than I can remember Bruce would always boast. True that cause announcing was his life’s passion.
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Bruce Flanders holds a picture of him standing with Speedway World Champions Jack Milne and Bruce Penhall
Once I asked Bruce if he had any regrets and his reply was as genuine and down to earth as he was; “I have ridden the bull for the full 8 seconds, I lived through Vietnam, I've got a great family. I set a land speed record for "Pops" Yoshimura on a Kawasaki KZ 1000 at Bonneville back in 1973. I rode Speedway and everything else with two wheels for years. I'm respected in the industry as a good announcer and person. Regardless of what else happens, it's been a good life"
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The Family Flanders: John, Paul, Caeson, Megan, Bruce,Teri, Heather and Jeff
We will miss you Bruce Flanders. Rest in Peace my friend.