Mr. Staten

 

The man behind The Rocket - His dad Slim Staten. Photo courtesy Rex Staten, 2025. 

    Slim here is riding one of Rocket's YZ400's on a practice day.  When Rex used to go practice, he had 2 bikes and he would ride one for an hour and then his dad would have the other one ready for him to jump on and keep practicing for another hour. While Rex was out rocketing around the practice course, Slim would make pit adjustments, fuel up and such to have the #2 bike ready to out again for Rex's punishing 1 hour rides again back to back. Rex didn't stop to rest, he jumped on the #2 bike and took off again. This happened all day long. Rex always rode an equivalent of 4-5 continuous long motos on his practice days. Nobody worked out more and harder than The Rocket thanks to his blue collar race ethic to win at whatever it took, and his sometimes very tough, but loving dad.

ROCKET REX YZ250

 Here is one of Rockets Saddleback practice bikes fully restored to Rockets specs. The machine resides in a private museum.

Click for website review of this historical YZ.

 

 

Before and After

Staten Wears Well

 

Lifetime Acheivement Award

At Glen Helen, the Rocket standing proud

next to his largest trophy.

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS REX!

Staten Ripping Deadman’s

Before Rex became known as ‘The Rocket’ he was tearing up the High Desert dirt at Deadman’s Point MX in Apple Valley, Ca. Photo courtesy Robert Stephenson Sr.

Join the Deadman’s Point MX Group on FaceBook. Click here.

ROCKET REX Tribute by MOTOCROSS ACTION MAGAZINE

The Rocket & Edison Dye

Its finally happened!

The award bearing the name of the man who is synonymous with bringing motocross to America is being bestowed on The Rocket. And boy does he deserve it! November 8th, Glen Helen Raceway where Rex won 4 World Vet Championships.

This is such a fitting award for the man who has won over 2,000 dirt races of numerous styles at home and around the world.

Edison would be proud...

A.M.A. Hall of Fame next???

 

Click link to read the story

https://motocrossactionmag.com/amp/rocket-rex-staten-to-receive-2020-edison-dye-lifetime-achievement-award-at-world-vet-championship/

ROCKET MXA INTERVIEW

 The ROCKET in MOTOCROSS ACTION... Don't miss it.

Click link to read full article

https://motocrossactionmag.com/amp/mxa-interview-rex-staten-on-fighting-for-everything-he-got/

Rockets YZ250E Saddleback Bike

I had the pleasure of rebuilding one of Rex's privateer team YZ's in 2007 for a collector who found the bike in a local SoCal garage. And believe it or not, the seller had Rex's original California Pink Slip too! The story I was told was, Rex had stopped to gas up his truck after practice at Saddleback, and a gentleman and his son were admiring the bike. They had a short conversation and it is said Rex gave the bike to the dad and his son! Rex doesn't remember the actual alleged free transaction, but he doesn't discount it either. You see, The Rocket was and still is a very generous man especially for the kids. Though he was tough as nails on the track, he has a big heart and would do anything for just about anybody.

I put this video together from Rex's video vault and my bike images for a Then and Now remembrance. Enjoy... EJ

Trailblazers ROCKET HOF Induction, 2019

The ROCKET of motocross has been his name ever since a Cycle News writer reported on his racing at the old Corona night races. And it fits him perfectly! Only Danny "Magoo" Chandler resembled Staten's on track bravado and drama on 2 wheels. ROCKET Rex epitomized the term "WFO." Enjoy the video...

Post Your ROCKET Rex Story

Fan Appreciation:

We want to encourage all you fans out there to post your favorite story about Rex Staten. Or if you have a question, go for it. Somebody will have the answer if not from the man himself. Things like race encounters (there were many historical ones!), personal human interest stories, childhood friends remembrances, you name it.

Rex and I and his fans want to hear all that you have to share about The Rocket. And just so you know, Rex has no qualms about you posting some of those close encounters or outright take-outs on the track which he is still proud to have initiated on the way to the front of the pack! Seriously, he would love to hear all the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s a legacy he is proud of in the classic cowboy Staten style...

Thank you for visiting the ROCKET REX Fan Page.

Mud No Problem for Rocket Rex

 

Rocket Rex powering the Harley 380 making mud sections look easy. 

He was the fastest on the big uphill at Red Bud in 1977 Trans AMA.

He took the HD program further than any rider in its short history.

He also broke more Harley's than any rider in that effort.

They just couldn't make them "Rocket proof."

Team Swolen Honors Rocket Rex

Team Swolen pre SX party at JT Schmid's, January 4, 2020

     

Photos courtesy of Todd Peterson, 2020

Rocket Rex Goes Hall Of Fame

 2019 Trailblazers Hall Of Fame Inductees. click to enlarge

<<< NEWS FLASH >>>

 April 7, 2019

Rocket Rex has been officially inducted into the

TRAILBLAZERS M.C. HALL OF FAME!

The Induction video with Larry Huffman, Marty Tripes & Don Emde.

https://www.trailblazersmc.com/

Trailblazers Banquet 2019 L-R, Dave Brown, Eric EJ Johnson, Rocket Rex, Bob Dresslar.
Some of the DEADMAN'S POINT originals who where there when it all began for Rex.

The GREATS! Malcolm Smith and The Rocket.
***

I have known 'The Rocket' since 1970 from the old Deadman's Point motocross and hare scrambles days in Apple Valley Calif. Tracks I actually helped construct with a team of high schooler's assisting Bobby Dresslar, Lee Chase and a slew of desert rat dirt bikers who had a dream of being part of the emerging sport - American Motocross.

Week in and week out I had the privilege to witness up close and personal the Rockets formative years of his career sporting tee shirts and lineman's boots on the OSSA Phantom and Stiletto. Then onto the CAN-AM's, MAICO's and my favorite - CZ's. And I have to say without a doubt, Rex Staten's career has been a very unique and memorable journey for all of us, that to be able to assimilate a lot of it in one place on this website is an honor. Thank you Rex for your trust and confidence in my efforts here.

EJ

Navigation notes:

If you are not familiar with the blog format, you will notice under every published post and page, there is a space for you to make comments about the particular post, photo etc. You will need to use or create a GOOGLE account here to submit comments. I need to ask you to be nice and leave the profanity at home please unless in some small fashion it enhances the story your about to share. Use some good humor, the kiddo's may be watching.

Thank you for visiting the ROCKET REX Fan Page.