|
|
 |
|
ROCKET Rex YZ250 restoration is finished. SEE it ... here!
"Strength, stamina and an ability to sustain a wide open pace has earned Rex
Staten the name,'ROCKET Rex'. Not just riding to compete, Staten's intimidating style was designed to please motorcycle fans
as well.
Some hated him, some loved him, many feared him on the track including World
Champion Roger DeCoster! He's been called many things - California Flash, Wildman, Frankinstaten, Sexy Rexy and many
more. But ROCKET Rex says it all".
No hands and No fear!
Photo courtesy Rex Staten collection, 2005
.
"This website is dedicated to the original Cowboy of professional Moto-cross,
ROCKET Rex Staten. We honor Rex for his great contribution to the sport and his solid placement in Moto-cross history!...Enjoy
the ride".
"IF SOMEONE'S GONNA TO
BEAT ME, I WANT 'EM TO WORK HARD AND
HAVE A TOUGH TIME ... I
WANT TO BEAT THE GUY AHEAD OF ME TWICE AS BAD AS HE WANTS TO WIN!" Rex, 1972
Of his Dad who coached him: "IF
YOUR GOING TO RACE, RACE TO WIN. GIVE IT 110% BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAND IT TO YOU".
|
|
|
The first time I met Rex was in 1969 at Deadmans
Point in Apple Valley, CA. I was 16 then just beginning my own MX racing stint in the High Desert of Southern Calif. Rex and
his Dad Slim would come up to The Point on Friday nights like all the rest of the dirt bike gang for the weekend of racing.
He and I never were what you would call close riding buddies but in passing would say hello to each other. We shot a few games
of pool in the back room of the bar occasionally of which I beat him once or twice. But thats the only winning thing I can
lay claim to with Rex because to beat him on the track was an impossibility for all of us!
Many years later in 2001, I was able to
look Rex up oneday while on a ride near his home and decided to stop by. As I pulled up on my noisey KTM, here he came out
of the garage looking me over like I was maybe somebody needing a hand on the bike or something because I knew he was still
wrenching and riding. While taking my gear off I said, "you probably dont remember me, I cut my teeth at Deadman's
back in the day when you first began coming to the track on that OSSA". Got the helmet off and we shook hands tightly, I mentioned
a few familiar names and described who I was being one of the regulars that helped build the track. He then recognized me
and it was like old home week. Recently we've been able to meet and talk shop and get caught up with our lives. How times
have changed but The ROCKET still has that fire and focus you cant help but admire.
Early ROCKET Rex, 1970
Photo courtesy, Gary Whitehead
There have been many stories and accountings spoken, a
lot of them witnessed of Rex's bravado on the track, his brilliant presence around some of the greatest riders on
the planet without them knowing what he was going to do next. And even some not so proud moments by the man himself.
Rex though I am proud to say walked (raced) to a different beat, acted with a different meaning and won in the most flashy
and colorful way that has earned him worldwide recognition and respect we will never see again!
I am glad Rex
Staten took the "tough attitude, take no prisoners, take them out when you can get away with it" riding style because thats
what real racing was all about. No watered down racing as we now see, just pure get with it gutsy racing to get the win at
whatever cost! Rex threw the gauntlet down and set the standard for the moto-cross world to know their boundries.
He made the best think twice before implementing race-tactics that Rex himself geniusly invented. My
hope is that his "Statenistic" style on the track is preserved for future generations of motocross racers and fans alike to
admire!
Despite Rex's bad-ass approach to racing and all the press that has made him out to be some kind
of madman, nothing is further from the truth about the man. He is a great guy, would do anything for you even if it meant
sacrificing his personal time and energy to help a friend out on or off the track, personal or otherwise. Some of the testimonies
on this website attest to this fact about the Rocket. Since reaquainting with this giant of motocross history I can
honestly say I am blessed to have known and seen him up front and personal.
I hope you enjoy this website and the stories of The
ROCKET that we have shared here with you. "If you could have only seen him when he was a skinny little kid back
in the day". Tough as nails genius!
Eric 'EJ' Johnson
|
|
|
|
|
|
Remember to SUBMIT your ROCKET Rex story and we'll post it in the Stories section...
ROCKET Rex flying his CZ400, Carlsbad 1974.
Photo courtesy Rex Staten collection, 2005
LINKS of Interest:
NEW photo's
loaded January 27, 2007
|
|
|
|
|
|
We have gone to great lengths to ensure that images
and info posted on this website is approved for publishing. If you the viewer notice anything that you feel infringes on your
copyright, please inform us. Upon verification we will remove or edit it immediately with proper credit.
Copyright ©
2005-07 Rocket Rex & OLD S'CooL Restorations. All rights reserved
updated April 10,
2008
|
|
|
|
