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.

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://rixinbikes.com/

Latest Content

NAG Bj OFK Krchqdefault
Play Button
Nv Wy S Jt Yhe Ahqdefault
Play Button

ACTIVATED - A FULL LENGTH BMX VIDEO

Long Island represent

26 Jun 2025
Ujaao Bim B4whqdefault
Play Button

ROB'S LONDON

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH ROBIN SLOOTMAKER AND SLAUGHTERHOUSE

26 Jun 2025
Nr YSZQIC94hqdefault
Play Button

AMURRIO JAM

Basque Country, Spain

25 Jun 2025
E9dacw F Il Zshqdefault
Play Button

KILIFELIX & FRIENDS

Kilian Reichmeyer and Felix Prangenberg + Pals

24 Jun 2025
Cj Ezbi Kbo P Uhqdefault
Play Button

JOE EMBREY - 15 FOUR - United

A decade and a half of support

24 Jun 2025
4 Qn N7 Rfo HW Yhqdefault
Play Button

SANTIAGO PÉREZ | DIG LOCALS

Colombia's next big name

23 Jun 2025
8g8 R7w So7r Ehqdefault
Play Button

BMX Park: Top 3 Runs | X Games Osaka 2025

Watch the top 3 podium runs of BMX Park from X Games Osaka 2025 in Japan

23 Jun 2025
Pva Xd Zw I Ig Ihqdefault
Play Button

BMX Park: FULL COMPETITION | X Games Osaka 2025

Watch the full BMX Park competition from X Games Osaka 2025 in Japan

23 Jun 2025
Xl rm S9 ZVX8hqdefault
Play Button

BMX Street: FULL COMPETITION | X Games Osaka 2025

Watch the full BMX Street competition from X Games Osaka 2025 in Japan

23 Jun 2025
X1 Zk Wqb E4 A Ehqdefault
Play Button

BMX Street: Top 3 Runs | X Games Osaka 2025

Watch the top 3 podium runs of BMX Street from X Games Osaka 2025 in Japan

23 Jun 2025
OWW6z Upm54hqdefault
Play Button

Source BMX: Jose Cedano Bike Check 2025

Chilean shred sled

20 Jun 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Big boyd black

Product Drop - ODYSSEY BIG BOYD RIMS

Boyd Hilder signature BIG BOYD rims in Black and Coffee.

11 Jun 2025
LOW Street station Saturday Jarvis 1 copy

MONSTER ENERGY 'CASH UP' 2025 - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Another Year - New Locations - Even More Jams!

26 May 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

26 May 2025
Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025
Expert Top 3 Roll On crop

REPO: Keeping it local at the UK 'ROLL ON' Flatland Jam

"My desire was to give something back" – Mike O'Connell

5 Mar 2025
Snow Fight – Naoki Gaman2

20 Tips For Surviving Simple Session 2025

Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

20 Feb 2025
SS finals samples 4

SIMPLE SESSION 25 WRAP UP

Highlight videos, results and more

19 Feb 2025
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

24 Dec 2024