https://www.profileracing.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.

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing

"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://www.danscomp.com/

Latest Content

M4 C ssg5 Jushqdefault
Play Button

Look in my eyes - LEWIS AUNG

Quickie in Bankok

16 Mar 2026
Z Su P Innmbchqdefault
Play Button

Work Bmx at Stoke Run & Chenga

Ohio Hits

16 Mar 2026
P Io Y5 Q6 rj Mhqdefault
Play Button

Declan Kilpatrick - 'Never Over' B-Sides | LUX BMX

Oh baby, we like it raw

16 Mar 2026
B Yr Doum E0hqdefault
Play Button

FUN HOUSE CHAOS - SWAMPFEST 2026

Pat Sharp is freaking out right now

15 Mar 2026
C17fmlzsh24hqdefault
Play Button

Fitbikeco: Flo State

Self-filmed local flow

14 Mar 2026
Zzk Gvs8 H68 Ihqdefault
Play Button

WILD HALF PIPE! - SWAMPFEST 2026

Pipe Dreams

14 Mar 2026
Qbmb ZS Ov9 Johqdefault
Play Button

TYLER FERNENGEL & DAN KRUK VS LOS ANGELES

Gettin buck with Kruk and Tyler

14 Mar 2026
EJGC Fe7i YZ8hqdefault
Play Button
O36p X0 Rxif4hqdefault
Play Button
O Om Py I0j Zu Yhqdefault
Play Button

Game 5 - Game of Bike Invitational

Devon Smillie vs Courage Adams

13 Mar 2026
0 Z3 Jxdst Zz Qhqdefault
Play Button

Chaos Before Swampfest

Chaos before the storm?

13 Mar 2026
Z Fh I Ga1 HH Ehqdefault
Play Button

SWAMPFEST 2026 - COURSE PREVIEW

Jason Watts talks Swamp

13 Mar 2026

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Intro protec

INTRODUCING THE 2026 PRO-TEC PRO TEAM

Squad Goals

1 Mar 2026
Pravda slideshow thumb

SNAPSHOTS: PRAVDA +995

A small gallery of film photos taken during the shooting of the video.

23 Feb 2026
Stack 2025

DIG BOOK #2025 - NOW SHIPPING

THE BIGGEST BMX MAGAZINE EVER... EVER

23 Jan 2026
Cover pile Mockup GS3

GREYSTOKE issue 3 OUT NOW!

"We go 132 pages deep with a Brad McDonald photo feature, Dave Voelker interview, rare bikes, unseen photos and an in-depth look at how much noise was being made when BMX had gone quiet - AKA "The Dead School. era"

7 Dec 2025
Khe leader

PRODUCTIVITY - KHE 2026 COMPLETE BIKES

Something for everyone.

5 Dec 2025
25 photo comp web leader

THE 2025 DIG PHOTO COMP IS NOW LIVE!

OVER $1000 WORTH OF PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

10 Nov 2025
Battleinthe Streets 92

REPO: Battle In The Streets Jam - Vancouver

"one rider walked away with the $1000 cash prize"

27 Oct 2025
IMG 2986

Inside KHE Bikes - 44 years of BMX history with Thomas Göring

“I didn’t have a proper cutting machine at the time, so I hand-cut each peg. They all ended up different lengths.”

24 Oct 2025
Dig motobunka collection square Recovered

THE DIG X MOTO-BUNKA COLLECTION

An all new collaboration with Japan's finest

22 Oct 2025
VANS ODYSSEY 2025 COLLECTION FF RAMP 003

"The inspiration was right in front of our eyes" The story behind the Vans X Odyssey 40 Year Collab

An interview with Nuno Oliveira (Odyssey) and Justin Villano (Vans)

25 Sep 2025
07 2025 Huffy Sledgehammer Launch Project 132

Product Drop: HUFFY Sledgehammer frame

Huffy returns to BMX...

22 Sep 2025
Team kevin peraza boh winner 2025

BATTLE OF HASTING 2025 - TEAM PERAZA TAKES THE WIN

Results, Livestream re-runs, DIG Highlights & more

27 Aug 2025