Staff Reports
Diamond Don’s 19th Annual AHRMA Vintage National Motocross will be held September 8-12, 2021 at Diamond Don RV Park & Event Center located one mile from Jefferson, Texas. The weekend will be full of motocross legends racing on old bikes, including several inductees to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. More than 1000 people attend this annual event from all over the country. It is the largest vintage motocross race in the country.
Here is your chance to visit with and race against some of your idols: Barry Higgins, Steve Wise, Brad Lackey, Trampas Parker (local Louisiana boy), Trey Jorski and Guy Cooper. Bench race with Diamond Don’s weekend legend, Billy Grossi, who was a major fixture in the motocross scene in the 1970s. Cutting his teeth at places such as Hangtown, White Rock [Sacramento], Watsonville, Placerville and Carnegie, Grossi raced for the fun of it, never really thinking that it could someday earn him a living. Grossi’s desire to pin it, win it, or die trying, eventually got the attention of the manufacturers. He landed his first real factory ride with Kawasaki in 1973. He raced on several factory teams and retired in 1982. As for his racing days, he said it wasn’t perfect, but he wouldn’t trade any of it.
Diamond Don Rainey, event promoter, started racing in 1968. By 1973, Rainey was competing in AMA national events and raced in the first night race at the Houston Astrodome. He retired in his 30’s, but re-started the second round of his racing career in 1996. He pulled his old motorcycles out of the garage and restored them. He races his motorcycles at vintage events around the country. Today, he still builds his own bikes and races in the AHRMA 70+ class on his 1974 Honda Elsinore or a Brad Lackey look-alike 400cc CZ.
Two new events have been added this year for those coming early to Jefferson. People in the local area are also welcome to participate. On Wednesday afternoon, there will be a golf counting to an area golf course. It will be a four-some scramble and all are welcome.
On Thursday morning, there will be a Dual Sport Adventure Ride through the back roads of Marion and Harrison Counties. All street legal modern dual sport bikes are welcome.
Cross country and trials are on Friday (with the Diamond-Huffman Modern Trials Support Class, sponsored by Jay Huffman, Huffman Restorations). Saturday features vintage racing with post-vintage on Sunday. You will want to race or watch the 100cc/200cc Revenge Races on Saturday and Sunday sponsored by BA Motorsports and Northwest Maico CZ.
The revenge races are the coolest to watch. Come see international champ, Trampas Parker, race against his son Ricky, and brother Heith. They usually end up placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd for a Parker family trifecta. Trampas made history as the first America to win two World Motocross Championships, one in 1989 and one in 1991.
The wide, flat grassy pit area offers great viewing of the racetrack that runs through the pasture and into the piney woods. Diamond Don has created a natural terrain grass track reminiscent of the early 70’s. Vendors and concessions available at the track.
Jefferson, located just one mile from the track, is nestled deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas and seems frozen in time. It is a charming town and an elegant reminder of a bygone era. There are over a hundred buildings in the city with historical markers. Many historic homes offer bed and breakfast accommodations. Dozens of other historic buildings house museums, craft and antique shops and restaurants. Jefferson also offers boat rides, canoe & kayak rental, carriage rides, gemstone mining & panning, and other attractions. Dine, Shop, Stay and Play. There is a lot to do in Jefferson so come early and stay late and bring the family.
Visit DiamondDonEmpire.com for more information. The Diamond Don Empire family of companies, owned by Diamond Don Rainey and Francene DePrez Rainey, includes Diamond Don Racing, Diamond Don RV Park, Diamond Don Event Center and Historic Jefferson Railway.