BMX is an acronym for Bicycle Motocross. This film documents the evolution of
a sport created by kids who [in the 1970’s] began modifying their Schwinn Sting-
Ray bicycles to look like motorcycles. This documentary is the first film to take a
serious look at the history and evolution of BMX bicycle riding, from the streets of
1960s suburban neighborhoods to today's stadium-packed televised Dirt, Street
& Halfpipe insanity.
The sport of BMX is driven by individual riders. BMX is not made by corporations;
instead corporations base their advertising on the lifestyles of these riders. This
film captures the kind of stories that cannot come from a marketing strategy,
coaches or statistics buffs - but rather from the individual guys who turned
common street bikes into instruments of grace, strength and personal
expression. The individuals who started races and freestyle contests themselves.
It is the individualism and self-expression of these riders that makes the sport's
history, and this film, so unique.
With people like Scot Breithaupt who started the first organized races in Long
Beach in 1970, to Bob Haro, who pioneered BMX Freestyle riding, and created
the first BMX freestyle bike, to Mat Hoffman, who’s personal sacrifices helped
propel BMX stunt riding into the spotlight. These are some of the people who
helped make BMX such a unique subculture.
Joe Kid on a Stingray –The History of BMX allows everyone from veteran Pro
BMXers to modern day kids, a chance to relive these important moments and
stories explained by the sport’s most influential riders so that they understand
what really happened in the evolution of BMX.
The directors have assembled a 30yr timeline packed with rare archival footage
and interesting interviews to create a film which explores the history, trends,
stars, and current direction of BMX stunt riding and racing.
Joe Kid on a Sting-Ray delivers a historical perspective to the sport of BMX, but
brings it to you in such a way that makes you feel like you were there.
While in the midst of production, John and Mark began to wonder who would
best represent what they considered a boldly individual and hardcore sport as
narrator of the film. The only person that is currently in the spotlight that made
sense was former BMX racer, Jesse James of Monster Garage. He embodies
what BMX is all about and actually lived the BMX lifestyle. Fortunately former
Freestyle BMX’er, Rockabilly Jay works at West Coast Choppers and he helped
make it happen. John and Mark sent a trailer of the film to Jesse and when John
called Jesse soon after, he wanted in. He not only wanted to narrate, but he
became Executive Producer.--© Official Site
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