INDIO, Calif. (BRAIN) — Scot Breithaupt, an early BMX champion and founder of the SE Racing bike brand, was found dead Saturday in a tent in Indio. Local officials identified the body Sunday.
Breithaupt, a member of the BMX Hall of Fame, organized some of the first BMX races ever, in 1970 in Long Beach, Calif., when he was still a young teenager himself. A born entrepreneur, he established teams, events, race organizations and companies while he was still a teenager. He would later win a national championship and founded and led SE Racing, which continues today as SE Bikes, owned by Advanced Sports International (SE was originally an acronym for Scot Enterprises). At SE he created bikes including the PK Ripper, Quadangle and the OM Flyer, a BMX racing cruiser that referenced his "Old Man" nickname.
He also worked as a TV commentator and producer during the 1980s and 1990s, working on productions that featured BMX and other action sports. He consulted with several bike brands in recent years, returned to amateur racing for a while, and also sold nutritional products.
It was little secret that he struggled with addictions for many decades, and served some time in prison as a result. Many friends across the industry tried to help him get back on his feet in the BMX world during his clean periods.
"Although he had struggled with addictions and problems with the law over the past decades, we at USA BMX will always remember him fondly for his many contributions in making the sport of BMX what it is today," said Craig "Gork" Barrette, the chief communications officer for USA BMX.
According to the DesertSun.com, the coroner has not released a cause of death; there were no signs of foul play.
Breithaupt is survived by his mother, Carole Breithaupt; sister, Lynda Muenzer; brother, Jeff Breithaupt; sons Scot Breithaupt Jr. and Brandon Breithaupt; and his first wife, Martha Breithaupt.
Watch for more on this story in the next issue of Bicycle Retailer & Industry News.
