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September 10, 2005
It was 1974 and I dont remember the shop name but I was in there getting some parts for my Yamaha mini-enduro.
My bike hauled ass at that time. I needed a part but they had it on back order. They called another shop and it was like 15
miles away. I am just a kid on a Yamaha moto bike. ROCKET Rex was in there doing something and must have heard me talking
to the parts guy. I was bummed out about the part. As I started to ride home, guess who honks his horn? ROCKET Rex takes me
to the other shop and waits for me! The other shop had the part but would not give me a racers price. I was short a few dollars.
I could cry at this point. I go back out and tell Rex thanks for waiting.
He see's I have no part and wants to know why. I tell him and he says wait here. I could hear some yelling
going on inside. I was ready to split on my bicycle at this point. Rex comes out with the part which they gave him for free
after they found out it was ROCKET Rex! He then drives me home. It doesnt end here.
A few months later I was at Saddleback during the week just play riding. I was in the back section near the
old TT track by the soap derby area, near a place called Hill Valley (i think). Its getting late and there is some guy sitting
under a tree. He had run out of gas. It was ROCKET Rex! Talk about a mind blow. He had no clue who I was. My mini ran on pre-mix
so he just lifted the bike and poured it in! Thought he was Superman! We both rode back to the front gate area on the main
fire road.
That guy is what Motocross is all about!
Dean Pappas
Rex Staten sporting his 6-pack abs with Marty Tripes looking on, 1977.
October 28, 2005
Hi, my name is Jon Marshall, known by many as: The PonyTail Guy, Jonny-O, or just Big Jon. I've
been a longtime member of the LA OldTimers and The Over the Hill Gang. In 1995 or 96 at The
Mammoth Mountain Motocross, on practice day before the race I was riding my 1995 Husqvarna 610 4 Stroke. Rex was there riding
a pretty much "Works" KX 570. He was really hauling the mail up the "UpHill" we both came around the tree turn right before
the huge "Mammoth UpHill" we were dead even and my big Husky started pulling Rex and his big KX up the hill, I couldn't believe
it! I didn't have the balls to hold it WFO up over the top, but I beat him to the top, right before the left hander.
I was blown away as was Rex and all my friends that were watching. You see in 95-96 I was pretty much
the ONLY 4 stroke racing at that time! Rex and I drag raced about 6 more times up that hill
and the big Husky pulled his KX everytime. Rex came over to me after we got off the track and
asked me "What have you got done to that thing!" It's bone stock with a pipe and that's it!, I told him. I let him ride it and he came back shaking his head in disbelief. Rex said my Husky was one of the fastest most powerful
motorcycles he had ever ridden. Later that weekend Rex borrowed an LA Old Timers jersey from me so he could race and I was
more than happy to give it to one of my all time favorite MX racers of My life. Thanks Rex!
Big John
February 11, 2006
Hi, my name is Ed Reyes. At Corona raceway on Friday nights Rex was the man! (78-82) He was the 1st guy that I witnessed braking so hard coming out of the hills
of the race track onto the stadium section to a left hand turn that his rear wheel would come
off the ground (with drum brakes!!!) He had a bounty on him at Corona Raceway and Steve
Bauer would always give Rex a good fight on the track with Rex pulling away at the end. Well
one night Steve Bauer was on his game it was the 2nd moto and it looked like he was going to
beat Rex then they went up the uphill that ran along the 91 frwy into a dark not very lit up
section of track and you guessed it, only Rex came back! And Rex waited on the Stadium floor for the race to end when Steve Bauer and his Dad wanted a few words with Rex.
The conversation ended with Rex throwing a beautiflul straight hand jab/PUNCH to Steve's nose!
Race was over and bounty not collected. But in the pits honestly Rex was so cool
to go up to and have a conversation with. Racers who tried to beat Rex at Corona:
Steve Bauer
Goat Brecker
Warren Ried
Juan Bievendias
Ron Turner
Ron Grewie
Gary Denton
March 3, 2006
Mr. Johnson,
It was cool to read that you first met Rex in 1969 at Deadman's Point, because I now realize
that we have definitely crossed trails in the past. I also met Rex at Deadman's Pt., also in 1969, how cool is that. I
remember that he won his class that first day, and what made it memorable was that his sister won the Powder Puff class. I
had been to Deadman's Pt. before, to ride a scrambles of some sort, but the day I met Rex was my first motocross and I was
pretty nervous on the starting line with my Hodaka against so many trick and cool european bikes. Funny thing is, I
hardly remember my racing that day, but I clearly remember watching Rex make motocross look easy, he simply smoked everyone
with his Ossa. I think his sister may have been on an Ossa too.
It's not like Rex and I became friends, but I saw quite a bit of him over the years, my then
close friend Taylor Sisco (CZ rider with Triumph-Suzuki of Pomona) had some good battles with Rex at CMC races, so we
were always checking Rex out to see what Taylor would be up against. I remember thinking, "man, I wouldn't want to have
to race with that guy, he looks mean". According to Taylor, Rex really was a little mean out there on the track. The
last time I saw Rex was just a few years ago down in Tecate where about 60 of us were on a two day ride with some of the Los
Ancianos (Tecate Hare Scrambles) members. I had a little chat with Rex that day which was cool, except that with regard
to me Rex said "to be honest, I don't remember you or that Sisco guy at all, but you've got to understand, I've hit my head
pretty hard and pretty often since then".
Thanks for the memories,
Jim Pool
Escondido, CA
May 8, 2006
Hi Eric,
At Syringa Park Raceway just outside Johannesburg, 1984, Rex and Jim Tarantino were battling for the lead when Rex's
shock went. He raced bravely on for 7 laps and held Tarantino off for the popular win! Another rider by the name of Larry
Wosick went on to win the Camel 250cc South African National Championship in 1985.
Jim Tarantino has now been a permanent resident in SA for the past 21 years and still rides on a social basis. He always
comments on what a tough time Rex Staten gave him in 1984. You know between Rex Staten, Jim Tarantino and Larry Wosick, they
certainly upped the game of South African MX riders. Jim and Rex banged bars for the SA National 250cc Championship that year
and it was close. I can tell you this much, that Saturday at Syringa Spa Raceway in Johannesburg when Rex beat Tarantino with
no functioning shock, it was something to behold!
When you see Rex again please tell him that he still has a number of fans in SA especially from the Old School.
Kind Regards, Brett Strydom, SA
May 13, 2006
I like many others marveled as Rex earned his nickname. My first memories of Rex Staten were reading about
him in the early 70's. Flashy, tough and fast. I attended many events were he was putting it to the competition
on the track, never afraid to bang bars. His reputation as a bully wasn't something I personally witnessed. On
the other hand as hard as he fought on the tracks, I'm sure he was never the type that would back down from an off track
challenge.
I first met Rex about 15 years ago. I worked in the same city Rex was raised in. I found him to be very down to
earth and easy to approach. A short time later I attended a MX school Rex put on and had a great time. We met
again when I had him do some suspension work for me (great job too). As an over 40 rider, I had the honor of
being lapped by Rex on more that one occasion. I would yell "Go Rex" as he blasted by me and he would waive. Each meeting
I noticed the same pattern. Rex always had time to talk to or help someone with their bike or riding technique. One day Rex
was at the track, between motos with his own engine in pieces, he stopped what he was doing and he went to give some other racer
a hand.
I still run into Rex on occasion as we live in the same city. He still remembers me and he is still a good guy. He doesn't
ride much any more, which is a shame for the rest of us, but I respect his choice. He hasn't lost his love for the sport,
or his memories of those glory days. If you should run into Rex on the street or at a racing event, say hi and let him know
you enjoyed watching him race. He won't bite. I'm sure he will thank you with a smile.
A friend of mine who raced against Rex Staten in South Africa emailed me this from Killarney MX Circuit in Cape Town , South Africa – Enjoy.
Killarney has also played host to several World
MX Champions at International level. Harry Everts arrived on our shores in 1976, and competitors could not believe what they
saw. His smooth style, his speed, his neatness and the way he rode the jumps. Yamaha imported Japanese chief test rider Itoh
Toa the following season, and with Everts they displayed their speed and styles to the local fans. Swede Hakan Carlquest raced
at Killarney in 1978, and did World MX Champion in 1979; Hein Kinigadner also went on to be World MX champ after riding at
Killarney. Kinigadner also competed in the Dakar before becoming KTM team manager, and then the Americans invaded South African Motocross. Rocket Rex Staten, Jim Tarantino and Larry
Wosick taught the South Africans a Motocross lesson.
First
was "Rocket" Rex Staten, who taught locals the importance of fitness at MX. I’ll never forget Rocket Rex and his one
arm push ups. Also taking both hands off the handlebars, awesome then, if only we knew what he was starting. Freestyle MX
is one of the fastest growing sports in the world now! GO REX!......Bruce Niles
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