https://rixinbikes.com/

Scot Breithaupt - In Memory

"Now, the cat has used up his ninth life." - Scott Towne

8 Jul 2015

Scot Breithaupt

Words by Scott Towne

Scot Breithaupt didn’t invent BMX, but he brought it to the world in a real way. In 1970, he borrowed from his motorcycle MX background to establish his own BMX track at the young age of 13. He was a born promoter and a ring-leader for this new thing called “BMX”, and he continued to push it, shape it and spread the gospel. An accomplished racer himself, Scot clinched the 1976 NBA National #1 plate. Throughout the 1970s, Scot built upon his own foundations to create iconic bikes and brands, culminating with the founding of SE Racing in 1978. With a team of the era’s best riders, SE Racing set the bar for innovative designs. The PK Ripper, which was the signature frame of Perry Kramer, along with the STR-1 for Stu Thomsen (later known as the Quadangle), were both key parts of the early SE Racing lineage. To this day, the PK Ripper is one of the most famous BMX bikes ever built and it was Scot’s brain-child. The “OM Flyer” was Scot’s signature 26 inch racing cruiser, developed as the class for the big bikes was added to the national racing programs. The funny thing is, Scot had been called the "Old Man of BMX" since the 1970s, but he was really still a kid and only a year or two older than the other top riders of his era.

In variously ramshackle vehicles, most notably a converted camouflage school bus, Scot toured relentlessly with his band of BMX weirdos, promoting his brands and BMX at tracks across the country. When Scot spoke, you listened. There was a madness about Scot that was also his magic. He talked a lot and said even more, but he also listened and retained information with a steel-trap memory. He made you stoked on him and his company and definitely on BMX. He was a true inspiration to all within earshot. Scot’s words translated to paper as well. Through the pages of the magazines of the day, most notably his column in Bicycle Motocross Action, aptly titled “Scotomania”, Scot motivated through imagination, humor and wild wordplay, creating BMX scenarios that seemed too outrageous to be true, but were so good, you wanted to believe it all.

"Ironically, Scot would have loved the publicity. The news, in an odd way, sheds a positive light on BMX."

Sometimes the same attributes that make a person creative, motivated and influential are the same parts of the mind that unravel later on. Scot always wanted more out of life, and chose some dark paths, resulting in failed relationships, businesses and ultimately landing him in prison. Scot would dig his way out and come back, eager to please and ready to let everyone know that the old Scot was back and this time he wasn’t going to lose control of the ship, but he did just that, again and again. Scot left a number of burning bridges behind him, but for every tale of a deal gone wrong, there was another of forgiveness and a second chance. The dude was loved.

Now, the cat has used up his ninth life. Scot Breithaupt is gone. The story of his passing is sad and the details irrelevant, but Scot’s sphere of influence is felt worldwide in the days after his death: Trending on social media, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, even TMZ for chrissakes, all reporting on the prolific life and sad end to a true legend. Ironically, Scot would have loved the publicity. The news, in an odd way, sheds a positive light on BMX. Once again, we owe it all to Scot. To us, as BMX riders, whether you knew who he was or not, Scot was the heart and soul of our hearts and souls. - ST

Related Video

Joe Kid On A Stingray - Scot Breithaupt Tribute

"Scot Breithaupt was an inspiration to a generation of kids on bikes." - More Info

Previous

Mutiny Bikes - Albuquerque Trippin' Photo Journal

In a city of rumors, you just have to find out for yourself!

Next

https://shop.sundaybikes.com/collections/sunday-frames?utm_medium=banner&utm_source=dig

Latest Content

T5 G0 M3 HSP8shqdefault
Play Button
Bt Uaa3 PEP Vwhqdefault
Play Button

Kaz Campbell - "Warm Welcome"

Kaz on Backbone

10 Feb 2025
Z0 Iz3 F Uit S Ahqdefault
Play Button

'GIRLHOOD' RAW | VANS EUROPE

Behind-the-scenes with Linda Grabner, Teresa Fernandez, Francina Fernandez, Anahi Valentina, and Wibke Vogel

9 Feb 2025
Ek M Pip VWO0chqdefault
Play Button

SUNAY PABATHI - 'MONEY MOVES'

DIG LOCALS

7 Feb 2025
BG Vpz1g D Uzkhqdefault
Play Button

DIG X SULLYVAN GUAINCETRE

Back with a bang

6 Feb 2025
Z Atzn Imz Ip8hqdefault
Play Button

FELIPE CANDIA | 'SINCE 1993'

DIG LOCALS

6 Feb 2025
Qr Cdadk Kj R0hqdefault
Play Button

Weekend Vibes: Martti Lainevool

Estonia to Aus

6 Feb 2025
Kwit R1 Yd ZP Ihqdefault
Play Button

Launch Box - Winter 2025 - A Profile Mixer

Winter season randomness

5 Feb 2025
Fo Vkre L Rv Bghqdefault
Play Button

BEN WINTER - DEMOLITION

Flat Out

5 Feb 2025
Hp KX1v K8fs Yhqdefault
Play Button

Shiloh Showdown

Beating Winter

5 Feb 2025
Oh Cbbv0u K Ushqdefault
Play Button

BSD MIXTAPE Extras / Cyprus Mix

Joe Foley, Alex Donnachie, Sam Jones and Bora Altintas

5 Feb 2025
Gm Ct9 GE Bg Lohqdefault
Play Button

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Stack

DIG BOOK #2024

AVAILABLE VIA THESE BIKE SHOPS AND DISTROS

30 Dec 2024
New dig apparel main image

NEW DIG BMX APPAREL

Available now

27 Dec 2024
30 YRS POSH BOOK MNTN V V 004

(Almost) 30 YEARS OF POSH WOODS

Now available for pre-order

24 Dec 2024
BSD Grime Safari Reed Stark Austin 6

Reed Stark - A Photo Safari

Safari Forever...

6 Dec 2024
Et FW24 Dig Magazine Collab Shoot 031

Introducing the DIG X ETNIES Collection

Celebrating a 25 year partnership

7 Nov 2024
24 photo comp web leader

THE 2024 DIG PHOTO COMP IS NOW LIVE!

OVER $1000 WORTH OF PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

15 Oct 2024
Greystoke issue 2

GREYSTOKE BMX MAGAZINE - ISSUE 2 OUT NOW

132 pages of tangible, hold-in-your-hands BMX print media.

11 Oct 2024
SUNDAY Silvawave Frame 3 Q web

PRODUCT DROP: Brett Silva's signature SUNDAY 'SILVAWAVE' frame

"It was only a matter of time before Brett got to call the shots."

26 Sep 2024
Osomatsu 4

SETUPS - Kazuei "Osomatsu" Oimatsu - ALIVE INDUSTRY

A Ben Lewis signature frame stacked with Animal parts

12 Sep 2024
20240907 BOH 019 perris

BATTLE OF HASTINGS 2024 - Everything you need to know

Schedule, livestream links, highlights, results & more...

2 Sep 2024
Garrett ss24

SIMPLE SESSION 24 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Highlight videos, schedules, results and more

24 Aug 2024
Volume frames 2

PRODUCTIVITY - NEW VOLUME JASON WATTS & KRIS FOX FRAMES

Certified for roasting - THE SMOKO & THUNDERHOOF

6 Aug 2024