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551
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10/16/2009
Location
Temecula, CA, USA
dpingree101
Edited Date/Time
3/28/2020 3:54pm
You can say that again! Looking forward to the watch...
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Neither of my kids are into moto at all, much less 70s/80s moto, but when I was listening to this on the drive home from work/school last night, my 18 year old was glued in.
Rex won it. Marty Smith, 2nd, Gall, I think, 3rd. Now, the following could have been the next year, when Gally won it over Jimmy Weinert, but, I do think it was the first event : I went, both years.
Rex was doing 'No Handers' over a few jumps. The packed stands loved it.
The ACU ( MA now) officials, didn't. So, they tried to stop Rex from doing it.
Rex just said something along the lines of " the wind was taking his hands from the bars, and he couldn't help it" . Buggerall "wind", was present. And, he may have added a few other choice words, when he was interviewed about the ACU hassling him, and the crowd certainly showed whose side they were on, quite voiciferously.
Will have to give it a listen! I have gotten to know Rex fairly well over the last few years and he’s always got some funny stories to tell. As a kid, I remember him for being an ex-pro hardworking blue collar pipe-fitter and showing up to CMC and beating up on the younger guys, like Billy Frank in 500cc Pro in the late 80’s! He’s been generous to me with knowledge and offering up old parts and such, and I consider him a friend. This poster from the Thought Factory company, titled “Dust Cloud”, circa 1973 hangs in my office along with some original stickers tucked into the edge of the frame. Awhile ago I asked Rex where the photo was taken and I believe he said it was out behind Ontario Speedway. He also said he hated the gloves back then so he rode and raced without them! That was a 1972 CZ400 he was on and the jersey was from Triumph - Suzuki of Pomona, who sponsored him at the time. It’s been a few months since I’ve spoken with Rex, so I’ll have to give the podcast a listen, then call him after and bust his chops about it!
Pit Row
Is there any current rider who even remotely captures the spirit of Rocket Rex? To me there's only one who comes to mind, but he just had to retire.
Ping you 100% nailed it with your comments on today's generation....
Rocket Rex was on a Harley. My best friend Ben was a huge fan of his.
Right at the end of the second moto we snuck into the pits and was at his box van when he pulled up.
He threw his bike on the stand, turned around to my friend (who had been waving and hollering in the same corner all moto), and says to Ben "Hey I saw ya waving, I was going as hard as I could".
He was cool enough to acknowledge a 14 year old kid after the second 45 minute + 2 lap moto in the Texas heat.
Rex was a big hero of mine and I would see him race all of the time at the local tracks, like Corona, Saddleback, and Carlsbad. 7 1/2 years after watching him that Friday night I was going fairly fast myself especially at Corona Raceway. I was able to beat Rocket Rex straight up for the 250 pro overall. I did one more time about 2 months later. I think knowing Rocket Rex would probably take me out big time helped me go so fast! Rex is total old school moto and one very cool dude.
I love listening to the older moto guys. Modern is still cool, but 90s and back moto seems to have a romance too it...
Post a reply to: Rex Staten on The Whiskey Throttle Show