Also, as far as I know, having been there, there are just as many drugs IN jail as there is outside of it. Does that make a person more likely to go straight? Not likely. For those who have been through the worst as far as jail & addiction, and come out on the other side, congratulations. But you did it on your terms & Scot should have the chance to do the same. And that is not likely to happen with a long jail sentence. I'm done.

Many years ago I suffered addiction with cocaine and overcame it when I hit rock bottom for me. I was only 19 and enough was enough.

It saddens me that Scott is going through what he is, that could have been several of us.

As it was stated Scott has been in jail before over drugs and at that point was not ready to let them go, hopefully this time you will be able to Scott. I am praying for you.

Whether you are able to get into long term rehab or worse, please search within yourself to find the reason this demon has such a hold on you. Several of us have and I know you can to. You are an inspiration to many of us here, not only as kids but as adults. I am here to help if I can but you have to make the first step.

Hang in there Scott and you have a wonderful lady beside you take solice in her love and devotion to you.

Hope my letter helps in some way.

Brian Ramocinski

Brian,

They all help! So far I have 19 letters.

Thank you,

Jamie

Scot, I've never had the pleasure of meeting you,
But I do know that if not for your contributions as a pioneer of this sport, I would not have had the pleasure of spending the past 18 years riding a kids bike and providing a venue to share my love of BMX with others.
You are appreciated and revered by more people than you could possibly imagine.

Best of everything to you.

Randy Cain

Here is a direct example why Scot deserves a chance.
Famous drug addict

If this guy can get rehab for skirting his guilt, Scot should definately be eligible for rehab by embracing his guilt and desire to overcome his condition.

You have mail, Jamie. Hope it helps.

Cheers,
Bob

I just stumbled onto this thread and like JU said it makes me really sad. As someone who witnessed Scot's genius on his rise to the top, I also saw the demons and ego that took him down.

At first I thought (probably like a lot of you did) "oh here it comes again". Scot's like a cat but his 9 lives are getting down to the low numbers. I struggled with the thought of writing a letter because the odds of him staying clean and sober are really low. But then I tried to put myself in his shoes and I just had to write and send the letter to Jamie. Scot does have a very kind heart and I do not believe he does any of this stuff intentionally.

The thing I think what Scot does need to do (that is if he gets set free) is not get in front of every one and get all of the praise that is so easily thrown around here (or any other vintage / old school bmx site). He needs to live his life like any other grown up who has realized that there are consequences for your actions in life. If he did just that, I think he would live a long and happy life. And that's not to say that his "BMX family" couldn't join in with him from time to time, but by praising him so much like what is writen on this site feeds that big ego of his and then he thinks he is above anything that "regular guys" are bound to (like drug addiction or the law).

Jamie, Scot is lucky to have someone like you looking after him in this very troubled time. Please tell him I still love him and I hope my letter helps.

God Bless Scot and his family,

PK

Good word PK

Dear, Jamie

I am posting my letter here, copy and paste it for Monday. Maybe it will help get others to write.

Your Honor,

It may seem the people that know Scot maybe asking for a lot on Scots behalf. We are all Hoping and Praying Scot gets the help he needs. It may seem his actions paint a dark and ugly picture, perhaps you can see through this and see how Scot helped so many people and try to do the same.

I do know Addiction can be related to so many things. Many people have addictive behavior not even knowing it, they simply channel it through other safe activities and this is what I hope will bring Scot back to so many people that Love Him.

Scot chose not to go the way of main stream activities as a kid. He chose to challenge his ideas and pursue his dreams and goals. Scot helped pioneer a sport to the Olympic games and global status. The Sport and His Company gave avenues to kids to pursue bigger and better things. His sponsorships alone gave so many young talents the chance to be the best. He expected these kids to try their best, work hard and except the results. They did not all win but they all got the chance.

I am sure Scot is aware his “friends!” understand the punishment he awaits maybe deserved. What he may not understand, or want to, is that every true friend he has and there are 1000’s would love to sponsor him and ask nothing more of him to see this as his biggest race/challenge he may ever attempt. He needs to see the goal clearly and understand the greatness of winning this very challenge. Perhaps Scot is unaware that all he has done for us is trivial to what “We would see in him if he can beat this”.

I hope the outcome of this situation gets Scot the real help he needs.
Thank you for your time.

Gary Haselhorst
A friend to Scot Breithaupt

[ April 28, 2006, 09:13 PM: Message edited by: Gary Haselhorst ]

So of course I woke up today and looked at this thread.

And cried.

Thought about it all day, the Scot that you all know and the Scot that myself, PK, Stu, Greg, Ben, Devitt and others know...the inner sanctum if you will. yes, the genius and the nightmare.

Quick story, my first wife (I'm collecting them you know) was in a public relations class at Long Beach State Univ. the teacher went on some rant about his most gifted student, drive, intelligence, whit. quick on his feet and an impecible talent to make the customer want to do business with that person. magnetic personality if you will, yes, he was talking about Scot. my first wife about died when he mentioned his name.

I think about that often because this teacher didn't know about BMX or his status in it. he just knew Scot.

So, with tears in my eyes I sent my letter to Jaime.

I've been staring (saddened and sickened) at this topic for over 24 hours now, not knowing what to say, but knowing I had to say something. I know Scot would do the same for any one of us.
It was the last thing I thought of when I went to bed last night, and the first thing I thought of when I woke this morning.
The amazing thing about Scot, is that whether you've known him since 1987 (like myself), or met him today, if talking to someone about him you'd refer to him as "my friend, Scot..." For me, it has nothing to do with SE Racing, Quad Angles, or practically inventing BMX (I just would have ended up racing motorcycles at an earlier age instead), it has to do with a genuinely great guy with a personality you'd love to have yourself, who makes you feel (when talking to you) as though you're the most important person in the room. A man who could motivate men to move mountains.
I am not the kind of person who believed that alcoholism, or addictions, were caused by something the medical community would one day discover, but rather by a bad choice made by a weak person. Seeing what's happened to Scot has me rethinking that. I struggle to believe that a person with his personality, zest for life, and the gifts God has given him can be making these horrible choices on his own.
Your Honor, I don't pretend to know what it will take for Scot to reach his full potential in his life, but I'm pretty confident in saying prison is NOT the answer. There are countless people in this world pulling for this guy, willing to do anything to help him beat his self-destructive ways. Name one person in prison willing to do the same....
God bless you Scot, you need all the help He can give.

Dear PK,
I know that tuff love is always the way to go to help someone in need of drug abuse. I am not in any way taking what he has done lightly. He knows that he has burned many friendship and he is tried! I will give him my time and devoted love to know that thick or thin I am here. I have limits too and he knows where I stand with all this. If he wants help Im here if he doesnt I not. I'm scared to think if he gets out that this time will be he last on earth but on the other hand I know he wont get the help in Jail. I can only hope that this will be it for him and he can restore the friendships and trust back that he has distroyed. I will tell him you love him and please know your friendship has meant a lot to him he speaks of you very often.
I have a good doctor set-up to help him and he agrees that if he wants us then he will have to follow Gods way not his!

Take care and I appreciate your letter and kind words,

Jamie

Scot needs to move out of So-Cal asap. he needs to divorce his drug buddies and old places. Move on with new life.
Writing a letter is a great idea.

Scot,
Always remember , one day at a time!!! And you are not alone!


God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living ONE DAY AT A TIME

Enjoying one moment at a time
Accepting hardship as the
pathway to peace.
Taking, as He did, this

sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.
Trusting that He will make

all things right if I
surrender to His Will
That I may be reasonably happy

in this life, and supremely
happy with Him forever in
the next. Amen


Love ya Bro.

[ April 29, 2006, 01:44 AM: Message edited by: EMPI ]

My friend Larry e-mailed me about this topic this morning. I didn't have the heart to even read it. I know about Scot's problems and it breaks my heart. Scot was my first BMX hero, after the Fonz and Evel Knievel. I never got a leather jacket or jumped Snake River Canyon, but I've stuck with BMX for my whole life. I'm 41 years old and I still ride a BMX bike almost every day. I laugh when I think about the "Old Man" of BMX being in his mid-twenties when he adopted that moniker. Scot Breithaupt steered me in the right direction and in so many ways. My mom left when I was twelve. I was left alone and lost and heartbroken. Bicycle Motocross Action magically appeared at about the same time and reading the words in that magazine, especially Scot's column, "Scotomania", was an escape and an inspiration. Almost thirty years later, the image of Scot on a tricycle, or the mess in his garage or the Team Terrible Texas Tour with "Greg Hill riding around on a sidehack with a glazed donut in his mouth" or the training tactics of Charlie Narly.... It's all fresh in my otherwise cloudy mind. Like Andy T, I'm just a kid from "a small town in Michigan", who's life has been changed by Scot. I've known Scot since 1979 when he brought himself, Stu and Rod Beckering to our local track in that same small town. I've known of Scot's problems for a long time as well. I was absolutely devastated when I first heard about his demons. That was 1985. I didn't want to believe it. I dismissed it as rumor. When Scot told me himself a year or so later, I had to believe but was none less wounded by the words. He talked about it candidly and openly. He referred to himself as a recovering addict even then. It's no secret. I've seen drugs destroy friends and Scot is one of them. As BMX people, we have known Scot when he's been at his best. I think of his presence in the magazines in the mid-70s (including the book How To Win Bicycle Motocross from '74 and Minicycle Action in 75-77), Bicycle Motocross Action, the races, the clinics and of course, SE Racing, all the way to Rockford '03 with his amazing presentation and the reunion with Bob Osborn at Rockford '05. All the good times. All the good things he has done. BMX as we know it would not exist as it does without Scot. Please refer to Joe Kid On A Stingray . He's a human with weaknesses that consume him. I'm the first to admit I've been dissapointed in him and mad at him but at this point, he needs help. You can't go back and forth this many times and just dismiss it as a "problem". Jamie, if you read this one to Scot, tell him that I love him and respect him and want him to be better. Tell him that there is a twelve year old kid in Plainwell, Michigan that idolizes him and needs him in his life.

[ April 29, 2006, 03:36 AM: Message edited by: scottTowne ]

Your Honor,

I have a cousin (Rene Meneses) who was not able to conquer his addiction to what I deduced to be Crack Cocaine. Rene is a kind soul at heart, would give you the shirt off of his back, very intelligent, witty, with a wonderful sense of humor. What caused him to go down this dark path is now immaterial, for Rene it is too late, all he can hope for now is to kick his habit and live out the rest of his days clean while incarcerated for he struck out under the three strikes law. The sad thing is the whole family has all but written him off.

I am sure you have read time and again about how Scot helped discover and organize a sport that has had a profound positive effect on many all around the world, a healthy outlet that ironically helped to keep many of us from going down the self destructive path that Scot has traveled.

In many ways Scot is a lot like my cousin Rene, the difference is we hope Scot can escape Rene's fate and return to a normal life. He has so many people hoping that he overcomes his addiction. I sincerely hope he can overcome this, maybe not so much for him anymore, but for his girlfriend Jamie who has shown such devotion that shows how much she loves and cares for him.

I sincerely thank you for your time.

Ramon Meneses

I wish I could do more. God Bless you Jamie. Godspeed Scot, I hope you pull through this.

I have been in this same situation ( behind bars )

I have seen many BMX racers that I adored like Scot in the same situation.

Let Scot know this is happening for a reason and that everything will work itself out, the main thing is he learns from it and grows from it and never puts himself back in this situation again.

I have know scott since 1979, super sweet guy

my prayers and letter are headed to you Jaime and Scott.

After being clean and sober for almost 13 years, I wish Scot would find it's going to take for Scot to get clean and sober.NOT what everyone feels that Scot should do or needs.
All you have to do is take the first step. I walk the walk and talk the talk, Recovery is a part of MY life and my Recovery is also a part of my family's life as well.MY RECOVERY is first and foremost to ME, because without a Clean and Sober me, the family would suffer and I'd end up pushing daisy's.

I am NOT ashamed of being an Addict or an Alcoholic, it's a part of me.

[ April 29, 2006, 09:58 AM: Message edited by: Moosegoose Nick ]

last year at rockford scott made time to come over and talk to me. it was the second time we had met, he remembered my name and that i was from the uk. i was kinda taken aback by this and we chatted for a good while. i would consider it an honour to be able to do something small to maybe help. my father is an alcoholic so i know a hell of a lot about addiction
graeme

Hal said that this thread is the petition, so I must add a short 2 cents. The BMX world is a huge and wonderful thing. Over the years, it has provided a means of directing untold numbers ofyoung lives in a positive direction. Scot Breithaupt was a pivitol person in the creation of that world. Please find some way to repay this man and help him to rebuild his life, as he has helped so many. John "Wildman" Kiernan (66 years old)

people who get done for drugs are one thing , its not as if this guy was robbing your grannys house or mugging you mum on the street ??? its just a straight drug offence .... in the right time at the right place , how many of us could get done for the same thing ?????????????
friends can get you over the depression if you let us in .... drug addiction can only get better if you change the circle .

its all on you mate , i dont know you personally but know the trait . good luck bro .

Those of you who have voiced an opinion or just asked for a petition to sign, please remember. Your words are not only for the courts, but also to Scot. We out number the people that helped get him were he is today. Computers make writing easy. Use it for a positive.

This is a great place to let Scot see he has a reason to change. Not to become a "number or statistic".

If you or a friend cared about this sport, Get them to post. Scots in 8th place in a simi and needs some cheering to make the main.

To my Bro, Liam

Put your two cents in.

You may have never meet Scot But I bet you would like to. Let him know it.

well said bro , he should know by now (or 20 yrs ago) there is millions of people looking up .... supporting him . >>>>>>> sort it out scotty , do you know how many people are honestly waiting on your next WORD !!!!!!!!!!!

one word , one opinionated coment , man - you are jc to a load of us diciples !

depressed/happy .... the next olympics has BMX events .... WHY ...FOR >>> scot the OM Breiphaupt .

TAKE A BUZZ FROM INVENTING AM OLYMPIC SPORT !!!!!!

YOU ARE THE MAN !!!

SORT IT OUT BRO , NO NEED FOR DEPRESSION FOR YOURSELF , THERE IS OTHERS TO THINK OF .

BRO , YOU WILL COME THRU THIS , HOPE YOU CAN COME THRU THIS !!!!!!

Your Honor,

I am writing this letter to tell you about a guy I know....Scot Breithaupt. Some will call him a Legend, some will say a Hero, others will say Pioneer, all will call him a friend. Scot is a man with an Inventive Spirit, for only a man with an Inventive Spirit can imagine things which have never existed before.

Scot invented a sport that gave kids an outlet as well as a resource to learn about inner spirit. BMX Racing is a sport where you need to dig deep into your soul and question what you truly beleive you can accomplish, you alone determine the outcome, can you dig deep and push yourself to a level higher than even you thought you could accomplish?

Scot does not need to be locked up, Scot needs a chance to secure his legacy, he needs this chance to prove to all of us and himself that this time his Actions will be a thousand times more important than Emotions and Thoughts. We are asking for one more chance for this great man to realize that he has all he needs in life, that he has the one currency that can be cashed anywhere....LOVE!

We love this guy and we want Scot to understand there are 4 important things in life, to live, to love, to learn and to leave a legacy! Scot has Definetly Lived, Defineltly Loved and Definetly has a Legacy waiting for him, he just needs to LEARN that he is Stronger than this. He needs to apply all the principles that made him such a success in the History of BMX to his addiction, because if he can do that he can secure his legacy.

Some say a man's character is proven by the way he treats a person with nothing to give in return, Scot's character has passed this test a thousand times. He has made a difference in so many life's but I feel he has more to give, more hearts to touch.

Please allow this man to acquire the Healing he needs, he will not get that in Prison.

All the Best,

Steve "jainbaby" Jain


****Please print this for court on Monday***

Hi Everyone!

I just read the letters to Scot and because of your words and your continued support he wanted to tell everyone that he will be there for the Olympics! He;s feeding off the support and sounds very up today but nervous about the outcome on Monday. If any of you can make his court date on this Monday at 8:30am at the Victorville courts then please do. It would great to show up in a group and voice our support. Thank you again for all the support!!!!!

Take care,

Scot & Jamie

"he wanted to tell everyone that he will be there for the Olympics!"

Positive posts in numbers can be a very strong tool to give Scot right now! True that Wheel brother.

I would like to say a few words that hopefully Scot will read, this is in no way a petition or for a judge it's just me saying what's on my mind.

I go back with Scot to when I was a little kid, I was blessed to have an opportunity because of Scot to travel the country racing my bike. In this process I became friends with PK, Utterback, Stu, as well as Scot. I want to thank Scot from the bottom of my heart for this, I could never imagine my life without these great memories from days gone by. I wish nothing but the best for Scot personally, I really do. Having said that I have to ask this question?? When is enough going to be enough? Scot, there are countless people willing to help you. This website is a tremendouse resource of people who are willing to step up and help you but you know what? It does not matter one bit, it means nothing if you cannot look in the mirror and decide it's time to change your ways. Making the decisions you make will decide your life ultimately. Moving away from SoCal is not the answer...You need to make the change from within your heart and if you are not willing then the future is quit clear. There are not many surprises in life, you know the consequences that come from decisions you make...We all do. I have read all the pages here and it bums me out that you are dealing with this but come on Scot...What will it take to make you see what is going on in your life? Your better than this, If I can help you I will do whatever I can but it's time you look long and hard in the mirror. There is not one person here or anywhere else that can help you if you do not make the first move yourself...

For anyone here reading this it is for Scot, I have known him for 32 years and can speak straight forward with him...to me he is not the God Father of BMX he is a person, a brother and I love Scot...I would say this to my own family so let's as you would say "Make it Happen"

GH

Well said Greg. Enough is enough. I pray Scot knows this, and doesn't just give it lip service, but rather changes his ways.

Ben

[ April 29, 2006, 08:05 PM: Message edited by: BenOr ]

"Well said Greg"

I hope Scot does not see these posts as a cruch or band-aid to return to time and time agian. Where Scot layes his head a night, he decides. Even when someone else tells him where it will be for awhile.

Scot, I hate to say this, but I can hear the tiredness in the voices of the people closest to you even though I am reading typed words. IT IS TIME!!

Question for Jamie:

From your initial post in this thread, it appears the prosecutor is leaning more toward jail than rehab.

While I certainly wants what's best for Scot, and certainly don't see any advantage to jail, I'm wondering why the prosecutor is leaning in this direction? Is / was there some mitigating factor which got Scot into this jam?

Has there been previous efforts at treatment, and if so, why haven't they worked out in the past?

I write this as someone who's dealt with his share of addicts over the years, and add that it's stated with all due respect, both to your obvious affection for Scot and to Scot as a person (BMX is whatever in this regard; this is about people, not bikes). I have no problem writing a letter directly to the judge, and will do so once there's understanding, but am left with the sense that I'm only getting a part of the story here.

I'm sorry, and I want to help, but I can't get behind something without knowing the details, specifically what mitigating factor is moving the prosecutor in this direction?

I don't mind reaching out - I've done it before - but I need to know what I'm asking the judge to overlook in my reaching out.

Please advise.

Thanks and good luck.

Greg, Ben, I really didn't know if I should write a letter to the court or not.

I finally did.

Mainly because of my left leaning ways. and also for Scot. I believe our jails are full of people who commit *psuedo* crimes, i.e. drug use and prostitution.

He needs guidance to stay clean, not be put back in an enviroment that encourages underground behavior.

I am NOT trying to turn this into any kind of political debate. just letting my bro's know how I came to my decision to write the letter.

Next BBQ we can all hash this out over a beer or...12

I look forward to the BBQ Mr. Utterback. It'll be much more fun than a funeral. I hope we have a clean Mr. Birdtrap in attendance.

Hi Elvis,
I respect you questions and I will answer them to best of my knowledge...
Scot has been batteling drug addiction for now over 20yrs. Because of his past prior convictions he will be facing 10+yr which really means half of that so maybe in the worse case it would be 5yr. Two weeks ago Scot couldnt face the challenges in his life and instead of dealing with them he numbs it. I know to you and I that maybe the easy way out but thats what he does RUNS! Scot does not harm anyone but himself and yes emotionaly hurts his loves ones, and friends.

There are guys now that are in Scots cell area w/drug convictions and facing a long term sentence too but because they had their family at the court along with letters the judge reduced their sentence to 6mos along with a long term re-hab.

Scot has been through alot of treatments but unless he is ready to be clean nothing will work. You can pay top dollars for a program who to say if it will or wont. I will say it wont if that person will not follow through will the baisc and continue to use the tools the program gives them.

I face the same fears that everyone else does right now and that is he going to do it again. I struggle with knowing what is the truth and what is not anymore from Scot but I do know one thing "I TRULY LOVE HIM"!!!!!!! When Scot is well he is the most wonderful man I ever knew(Next to my Father) and would do anything for you. In fact sometimes half his problem I see him running around do more for others then taking care of Scot. My God the guy forgets to eat! I dont have the crystal ball and wish I could know for sure what will happen but I will support him in the right way and pray!

I hope this helps and I appreciate your concerns!

Jamie