"This is the year we went from amateur to professional status," remarked Francene Rainey, wife of Diamond Don Rainey. "I noticed it in the vendors, media presence and the number of pro riders. Last year we had 1,050 come through the gate. This year we broke a record again with 1,350. Although we were down from 855 to 847 race entrants from last year, this year more racers brought their families and camped out earlier in the week, making this a more family-friendly event. Many remarked that they can now only afford one big race a year and this is it."

No wonder they chose this venue for a family vacation. Diamond Don’s is quickly becoming the "Jazz Fest" of Vintage Racing. Besides the presence of off-road motorcycle racing machines from the past, fans can watch them compete in Observed Trials, Cross-Country, Vintage Motocross and Post-Vintage Motocross; and - at a high level of competition, with many of the same riders who made history. Gary Bailey, the "Professor of Motocross" was honored this year and made an appearance at the observed trials competition, then ran a parade lap with Brad Lackey, Steve Wise, Trampas Parker, and they were sent off by Marty Tripes. Fans got to hang out and get autographs from these and watch Wise, Parker, Tommy Croft, Trey Jorski and Bill Silverthorn in action on the motocross track. Not to mention Alex Moroz and the Legends and Heroes Tour, where fans could walk up and see the rolling museum and meet a real life MX legend.

This will be a well-documented race as five major publications were on hand to witness the event: Davey Coombs with Racer X magazine, Shand Garcia with Holeshot magazine, Mitch Boehm with Moto Retro Illustrated, and the Australian mag, VMX, as well as your humble correspondent from 2wheelcommunications representing Racing Fuel for the Spirit and the Dirt Bike Ike series.

Who sponsored this event? Well, I’m glad you asked. The major players were: Kawasaki, Longview Cycle and Ski, Yamaha, H & W Honda, RaceTech, ProVue, and Troy Lee Designs. Special thanks to Steve Wise and Christ Ministries for Sunday’s worship service, Big Daddy Racing for the trackside communications. The laser cut metal train engine plaques were provided by Route 49 MC accessories and J & N Fence. The trophy skin was designed by BadBrush. Diamond Don underwrote the expenses of the AHRMA banquet Friday night, so all of the proceeds could go to AHRMA.

How about the racing? What happened? I thought you’d never ask. Team Bultaco from Missouri is still the team to beat. Their ace, Mark Stahlman put a double moto victory on the Sportsman 250 expert class to start Saturday’s vintage racing. Wade Woodall and Rhett Smith went at it hard for the second spot on their CZ’s and probably had a little paint from each other’s bikes when the dust cleared. Andrew Short’s father-in-law, Tom Hudson kept things interesting right behind them in the first moto.

For the second year in a row, Louisiana Legend, Trampas Parker continues to prove why he’s the only rider (besides the late Donnie Schmidt), to win two world championships. Kirk "Doughboy" Spencer showed why he used to make all that dough when he terrorized Texas tracks back in the day by beating Parker in the first moto of the Vintage +40 Expert. Parker watched his lines in the first moto, but Spencer was holding the throttle open through the turns, especially the sweeper into the infield horseshoe, where he brushed the banners on the outside several times. In the second moto Parker got around him, then round and round they went like two tomcats. Late in the race, Spencer tried to squeeze into a turn alongside, where Parker had the line and down Spencer went. I’d pay to watch those two race again! John Vasquez took second overall behind them with his 3-4 finish.

Trey Jorski was another determined fireball that Parker had to deal with. It’s hard to carry such a big reputation into a race when you’re a legend. Steve "the Wiseguy" Wise said as much. Steve made his first race in over a decade and decided to tone down the competitive juices and just enjoy his rides. But what he lacked in wins, he more than made up for in preaching the Good News at Sunday’s worship service as he brought the house down under a chorus of "amen’s" and "that’s rights."

Tony Fox was another rider that led Parker briefly until he disappeared into the woods. The Tacoma, Washington native had to settle for fourth in the first moto, but came back and happily took second behind Parker for second overall in the Sportsman 500 Expert class. John Vasquez, Rhett Smith, Jimmy Ewing and Karl Alan Poindexter all put on a nice show and finished the day in that order, Ewing carried a straight-a-way’s portion of banners in his rear wheel, which added photogeniosity to the race. (Is that a word?)

Two AHRMA hotshoes from Oklahoma brought a half-dozen bikes and blew up almost all of them! Despite that, Trey Jorski won the Post Vintage +50 class and fourth in the +40, while Elbert Simon won the GP 500, took third in the GP 125, fourth in the GP 250 and fifth in the Ultima 250, all expert classes for both riders. While newly experted Glenn Romero from New Orleans enjoyed a lap in front of the legendary Parker in the Vintage Open Age class. Romero finished second in front of one of the most powerful men in Motocross, Davey Coombs, who looked strong and smooth in his stand-up style and styling JT race gear on his Suzuki.

The Vintage +50 Expert was a memorable race with Jorski leading early until… you guessed it; bike problems sidelined him near the scoring stand leaving Rhett Smith and Tom Hudson in the "dance of chance" for the lead. And dance they did until they bumped in the same turn Jorski pulled out of earlier and Smith went down. Hudson waited for Smith after taking the checkered flag and the two had a few words of remembrance, ending with Hudson patting Smith on the back good-naturedly. Texan Hudson went on to secure the double moto victory with South Carolina’s Smith second, Colorado’s Scott Sears third, North Carolinian Bob Lee fourth and Kentucky’s Poindexter fifth.

Even the small bore experts had fireworks as past series champs Jared Lange from California diced it out with Missouri’s Mark Stahlman. From our vantage point in the announcing truck, Stahlman would hold his Bultaco on longer into the turns, but Lange’s Yamaha would pull him out of the corner. Eventually Stahlman got the double moto victory in the Sportsman 125 Expert class for Team Bull. Following him were Kansas rider Jordy Burnett’s 2-2, Lange’s 3-3, Louisiana’s Matthew Leblanc’s 4-4 and Texas’s Paul Burnett’s 7-5. Elbert Simon made a brief appearance at the front until bike problems ended his challenge.

Another smooth operator was former pro rider Jim Gibson who was also sporting the new JT race gear and looked like he was in a class by himself as he checked out each moto without breaking a sweat on his 100 Yamaha. The Marty Tripes 100cc challenge continues to grow by five or six entrants every event.

Sunday was Post-Vintage day with many of the same riders displaying their skills with similar results, but on newer bikes. The dividing period for vintage is about 1974-75, depending on manufacturer, with the newer bikes considered "post-vintage" by AHRMA, who added a new "pre-modern" class for the front disc brake bikes.

Jared Lange and Matthew Leblanc went at it hard in the Ultima125 Expert class, with Leblanc using his road-racing skills to carry his little Honda through the turns, but couldn’t make the pass. Terry Gates and Jeff Simon rode their Suzuki’s into third and fourth respectively.

Elbert Simon suffered more bike troubles, leaving Chris Kasavage to rule the Ultima 250 Expert class. This Florida native bested Texan New Benton and Kentucky’s Karl Alan Poindexter for the top three spots.

John Vazquez was another one of those Okies that sped through the pack both days, this time winning the Ultima 4-Stroke Expert over Arkansas’s Mike Parker and Illinois’s Chris Brewington.

Kasavage vanquished Vasquez in the PV Open Age Expert class and punctuated it with the longest pre-finish line wheelie of the day on Bobby McClelland’s Honda.

Trey Jorski struck early in the PV +40 Expert second moto by slamming the outside line, with Trampas Parker tucking into the inside. Scott Bland and New Benton settled in behind them. Parker reappeared from the woods in the lead and never let Jorski get close enough to challenge again to take the double moto victory. New Benton patiently and consistently worked his way up into second for second overall, with Bland and Jorski (who fell to 6^th with bike problems) rounded out the top four.

Jorski made amends in PV+50 with the double moto win in front of Rhett Smith, Karl Alan Poindexter, Bob Lee and Tom Hudson.

In conclusion, Don and Francene have heard the suggestions and are already making changes for next year. They will be at the big race at Freestone to garner ideas for crowd control and security and are already interviewing someone to implement transponders for scoring. Also public address weaknesses will be turned into strengths. The "Wine Down" party was over the top with great fireworks and an opportunity for folks to relax and fellowship together. If you have any other suggestions or ideas, please contact them at info@diamondDon.com. A big thanks to the Leblanc family for cooking Saturday night’s crawfish, then cooking Cajun food in the pits under their big tent, to the Bayou guitar sounds of the Chris Leblanc band. Make your reservations in 2011 for next year’s event, because when January comes, the rooms will be full in Jefferson, and next year is the 10^th anniversary, which will be "off the hook!" Speaking on behalf of J. P. Parsons, my announcing partner, we are already looking forward to next year and hope to see you there!

PREM LIGHT INT: Dan Beher (Duc).

PREM LIGHT EX: Mike Parker (Hon).

PREM 500 INT: 1. Jim Crain (BSA); 2. John Bergener (BSA); 3. Jonathon Moore (Tri); 4. Wayne Mount (BSA).

PREM 500 EX: 1. Corky Root (BSA); 2. William Click (BSA); 3. Beno Rodi (BSA).

PREM OPEN TWIN INT: 1. Bob Mcnamara (NTN); 2. Jim Crain (BSA); 3. Dan Beher (BSA).

PREM OPEN TWIN EX: 1. Beno Rodi (NTN); 2. David Wilson (Tri).

CLASSIC 125 NOV: 1. Stan Miser (Hus); 2. Mike Gray (CZ); 3. Dale Fisher (CHE); 4. Sam Chappell (Pen); 5. Patricia Bell (CZ).

CLASSIC 125 INT: 1. Tim Moore (Yam); 2. Bob Egan (DKW); 3. John Griffin (Hon); 4. Jeremy Oxley (HDK); 5. Paul Schaffner (HDK).

CLASSIC 125 EX: 1. Jared Lange (Yam); 2. Wade Woodall (CZ); 3. Chris Brewington (Hon); 4. Lynn Williams (CZ).

CLASSIC 250 NOV: 1. Jim Ealer Jr. (Bul); 2. Sam Chappell (OSA).

CLASSIC 250 INT: 1. Bill Orth (GVS); 2. Chuck Morris (BSA).

CLASSIC 250 EX: 1. Doug Grant (AJS); 2. Dan Johns (AJS).

CLASSIC 500 INT: 1. Dwayne Thomas (BSA); 2. Morris Herbert (Tri); 3. Chuck Morris (BSA).

CLASSIC 500 EX: 1. Dan Johns (AJS); 2. James Smith (BSA); 3. Claude McElvain (BSA).

SPSMN 100 NOV: 1. Stan Miser (Yam); 2. Steve Williams (HDK); 3. Dale Fisher (Pen); 4. Mike James (Hdk); 5. Michael Collier (Hon).

SPSMN 100 INT: 1. Curtis Ross (Suz); 2. Mark Eickhorn (HDK); 3. Ronnie Snyder (Yam); 4. Paul Johnstone (Hon); 5. David Cummings (HDK).

SPSMN 100 EX: 1. Mike Parker (Pen); 2. Keith Voss (HDK); 3. Jules Kennedy (CZ); 4. Corky Root (HDK); 5. Bruce Macfarlane (HDK).

SPSMN 125 INT: 1. Mike "Doc" Tollett (Hon); 2. Tad Breaux (Hon); 3. David Cummings (Hon); 4. Randy Pierce (Kaw); 5. Phillip Ketchum (HDK).

SPSMN 125 EX: 1. Mark Stahlman (Bul); 2. Jordy Burnett (Hon); 3. Jared Lange (Yam); 4. Matthew Leblanc (Hon); 5. Paul Burnett (Hon).

SPSMN 250 NOV: 1. Lindsay Harper (Bul); 2. Jim Vaughan (Hus); 3. Ryan Mcgurt (Hon); 4. Mike Gray (CZ); 5. Jason Miller (Unk).

SPSMN 250 INT DIV 1: 1. Bubba Dennis (CZ); 2. Randy Wood (Hon); 3. Robbie Kahn (Hus); 4. Sam Baugh (Kaw); 5. Steve Papenfuss (CA).

SPSMN 250 INT DIV 2: 1. Jason Landing (Bul); 2. Brandon Hartner (CZ); 3. Roger Harris (Kaw); 4. Mike "Doc" Tollett (Hon); 5. Eric Bourgeois (Suz).

SPSMN 250 EX: 1. Mark Stahlman (Bul); 2. Wade Woodall (CZ); 3. Rhett Smith (CZ); 4. Jeff Nagel (Hon); 5. Matthew Leblanc (Hon).

SPSMN 500 NOV: 1. John Putkey (CZ); 2. Daniel Ecker (CZ); 3. Steve Duncan (Kaw); 4. Henry Sansing (RKN); 5. Krista Nylander (Bul).

SPSMN 500 INT: 1. Bart Watts (Mai); 2. Nick Stine (CZ); 3. Steve Stasiefski (Mai); 4. Jeff Robertson (Mai); 5. Gary Davis (CZ).

SPSMN 500 EX: 1. Trampas Parker (CZ); 2. Tony Fox (Yam); 3. John Vasquez (Mai); 4. Rhett Smith (CZ); 5. Jimmy Ewing (Mai).

SPSMN OPEN TWIN INT: Bill Orth (BSA).

WOM VINT NOV: 1. Janet Ward (CZ); 2. Krista Nylander (Bul); 3. Tammy Ritzheimer-mount (BSA); 4. Patti Brewington (Hon); 5. Janet Novey (Yam).

WOM VINT INT: 1. Connie Elam (Hon); 2. Dawn Winczewski (Pen); 3. Patricia Bell (CZ).

WOM VINT EX: Peggy Cozart (CZ).

VINT OPEN AGE NOV: 1. Mark Waller (Hon); 2. Gary Diedrich (Hus).

VINT OPEN AGE INT: 1. Brand Wedding (CZ); 2. Louis Leblanc (Hon); 3. Kenneth Jeter (Yam); 4. John Owen (Yam); 5. Eugene Van Lancker (Mai).

VINT OPEN AGE EX: 1. Trampas Parker (CZ); 2. Glen Romero (Kaw); 3. Davey Coombs (Suz); 4. Gary Doza (Unk); 5. Jeff Nagel (Hon).

VINT +40 NOV: 1. Jim Vaughn (CZ); 2. Henry Sansing (RKN).

VINT +40 INT: 1. Raymond Phillips (Yam); 2. Tad Breaux (Hon); 3. Tom Becker (CZ); 4. John Dowson (Hus); 5. Richard Huffman (Hus).

VINT +40 EX: 1. Trampas Parker (CZ); 2. Kirk Spencer (Mai); 3. John Vasquez (Mai); 4. Bob Lee (Hus); 5. JP Antoon (Hus).

VINT +50 NOV: 1. William Kahle (Hon); 2. Denis Jeffries (Hus); 3. Bob Hartner (CZ); 4. Daniel Moye (Suz); 5. George Pawley (Yam).

VINT +50 INT DIV A: 1. Richard Davis (Hus); 2. Kenneth Ahlstrom (Pen); 3. Robbie Kahn (Hus); 4. Wesley Wallace (Mai); 5. Troy Rapp (Hus).

VINT +50 INT DIV B: 1. Nick Stine (CZ); 2. Sam Baugh (Kaw); 3. Steve Stasiefski (Mai); 4. Mike Hance (Mai); 5. John Putkey (CZ).

VINT +50 EX: 1. Tom Hudson (Hon); 2. Rhett Smith (CZ); 3. Scott Sears (Mai); 4. Bob Lee (Hus); 5. Karl Alan Poindexter (CZ).

VINT +60 NOV: 1. Frank Sprangler (Hus); 2. Terry Dailey (CZ); 3. John Bezinque (CZ); 4. Robert Hext (Pen); 5. Jerry Elson (Hus).

VINT +60 INT: 1. Ambrose Watts (Mai); 2. Jim Masterson (Pen); 3. Robert Wilson (Yam); 4. Keith Boyd (CZ); 5. Gary Taylor (CZ).

VINT +60 EX: 1. William Click (Hus); 2. Doug Grant (Hus); 3. Steve Machado (CZ); 4. Wes Willis (Hus); 5. Loyd Morgan (CZ).

VINT +70 NOV: Pete Silva (CZ).

VINT +70 INT: 1. Bill Fleming (Yam); 2. Wayne Mount (BSA); 3. James Ealer Sr. (Bul); 4. Blaine Stone (Hus).

VINT +70 EX: 1. Gary Anderson (CZ); 2. Zahn Lewis (Suz).

HIST 125 NOV: 1. Ryan Mcgurt (Yam); 2. Ryan Todd (Yam).

HIST 125 INT: 1. Albert Newmann (Yam); 2. Mike Mccloud (Suz); 3. Kevin Cleveland (Suz); 4. Randy Pierce (Kaw).

HIST 250 NOV: 1. Roger Harris (Mai); 2. Jason Landing (Bul); 3. Larry Cooper (Bul); 4. Mike Krause (Pen); 5. Stephen Smith (Suz).

HIST 250 EX: 1. Jimmy Ewing (Suz); 2. Rhett Smith (Mai); 3. Mark Stahlman (Bul).

HIST 500 NOV: 1. Henry Sansing (RKN); 2. Ethan Stahlman (Bul); 3. Bob Christiason (Suz); 4. Jason Brockman (Bul); 5. Krista Nylander (Bul).

HIST 500 INT: 1. Craig Knight (Mai); 2. Potts Thomas (Mai); 3. Ron Greene (Yam); 4. James Sharp (Hus); 5. Michael Murphy (RKN).

HIST 4STRK NOV: Sam Chappell (Hon).

HIST 4STRK INT: Ron Greene (Yam).

HIST 4STRK EX: Mike Parker (Hon).

GP 125 NOV: 1. Glenn Mcgovern (Hon); 2. Becky Hayes (Yam).

GP 125 INT: 1. Mike Mccloud (Kaw); 2. David Maclaskey (Suz); 3. David Cummings (Suz); 4. Tad Breaux (Hon); 5. Gabe Leblanc (Hon).

GP 125 EX: 1. Chris Brewington (Suz); 2. Greg Boone (Suz); 3. Elbert Simon (Hon); 4. Jared Lange (Yam); 5. Mark Ray (Hon).

GP 250 NOV: 1. Mike Haynes (Hus); 2. Jim Brown (NTN).

GP 250 INT: 1. Roger Harris (Hon); 2. Tim Wise (Hon); 3. Kerry Malone (Suz); 4. Lenhart Eriksson (Hus); 5. Skip Miller (KTM).

GP 250 EX: 1. Corey Jones (Hus); 2. Doug Taft (Yam); 3. Jeff Simon (Yam); 4. Elbert Simon (Yam).

GP 500 NOV: 1. Robert Shough, Jr. (Yam); 2. Mattew Green (CZ).

GP 500 INT: 1. Bart Watts (Mai); 2. Sam Baugh (Kaw); 3. Bubba Dennis (Mai); 4. Jeff Robertson (Mai); 5. Tim Wilson (Yam).

GP 500 EX: 1. Chuck Rule (Yam); 2. Craig Hayes (Hus); 3. Rhett Smith (Mai); 4. Doug Taft (Yam); 5. Jordy Burnett (Mai).

GP 4STRK EX: 1. Scott Sears (Mai); 2. Mike Parker (Yam).

ULT 125 NOV: Michael Murphy (Yam).

ULT 125 INT: 1. Eric Bourgeois (Hon); 2. David Zigmont (Hon); 3. Jeff Marks (Suz); 4. Roy Jenkins (Hon); 5. Scott Shope (Suz).

ULT 125 EX: 1. Jared Lange (Yam); 2. Matthew Leblanc (Hon); 3. Terry Gates (Suz); 4. Jeff Simon (Suz).

ULT 250 NOV: 1. Lindsay Harper (Yam); 2. Glenn Mcgovern (Hon); 3. Sam Chappel (Hon).

ULT 250 INT: 1. Dave Kutskel (Yam); 2. John Munich (Hon); 3. Mike Bruce (Yam); 4. Randy Wood (Hon); 5. Mike Gilbird (Hon).

ULT 250 EX: 1. Chris Kasavage (Hon); 2. New Benton (Yam); 3. Karl Alan Poindexter (Suz); 4. Chris Todd (Yam); 5. Elbert Simon (Hon).

ULT 500 NOV: 1. Robert Shough, Jr. (Yam); 2. Donald Harrell (Hon).

ULT 500 INT: 1. Ryan Branch (Hon); 2. Tim Wilson (Yam); 3. Mike Owen (Hon); 4. Mike Elshout (Yam); 5. Eugene Van Lancker (Hon).

ULT 500 EX: 1. Elbert Simon (Hon); 2. Scott Bland (Hon); 3. Doug Taft (Yam).

ULT 4STRK NOV: Patty Brewington (Hon).

ULT 4STRK INT: 1. Curtis Ross (Unk); 2. Bobby Paschal (Hon); 3. Jesse Reid (Hon); 4. Zahn Lewis (Suz); 5. Bill Orth (Hus).

ULT 4STRK EX: 1. John Vazquez (Yam); 2. Mike Parker (Hon); 3. Chris Brewington (Hon).

PV WOM NOV: 1. Paula Waugh (Kaw); 2. Krista Nylander (Bul); 3. Becky Hayes (Yam); 4. Debbie Benson (Yam); 5. Patty Brewington (Hon).

PV WOM INT: Connie Elam (Hon).

PV OPEN AGE NOV: Mark Waller (Hon).

PV OPEN AGE INT: 1. Ryan Branch (Hon); 2. Mike Elshout (Hon); 3. Tad Breaux (Hon); 4. Eric Bourgeois (Hon); 5. Kenneth Leblanc (Hon).

PV OPEN AGE EX: 1. Chris Kasavage (Hon); 2. John Vazquez (Mai).

PV +40 NOV: Billy Murphy (Yam).

PV +40 INT: 1. Bobby Mcclelland (Hon); 2. Richard Hart (Suz); 3. Dennis Harlan (Yam); 4. Carl Browning (Suz); 5. Dave Kutskel (Yam).

PV +40 EX: 1. Trampas Parker (Yam); 2. New Benton (Yam); 3. Scott Bland (Hon); 4. Trey Jorski (Hon); 5. Mark Ray (Kaw).

PV +50 NOV: 1. Lindsay Harper (Yam); 2. William Kahle (Yam); 3. George Pawley (Yam); 4. Ambrose Watts (Mai); 5. Glenn Mcgovern (Hon).

PV +50 INT: 1. Mike Cole (Hon); 2. John Munich (Hon); 3. Jeff Robertson (Mai); 4. Rick Owens (Hon); 5. Potts Thomas (Hon).

PV +50 EX: 1. Trey Jorski (Hon); 2. Rhett Smith (Mai); 3. Karl Alan Poindexter (Suz); 4. Bob Lee (Suz); 5. Tom Hudson (Hon).

PV +60 NOV: 1. Keith Parker (Hon). 2. Jerry Elson (Yam).

PV +60 INT: 1. Keith Boyd (Mai); 2. Bob Egan (KTM); 3. Larry Shope (Hon); 4. Greg Steinbeck (Suz); 5. Robert Wilson (Yam).

PV +60 EX: 1. William Click IV (Yam); 2. Wes Willis (Hon); 3. Loyd Morgan (Yam); 4. John Gott (Yam).

PRE MOD INT: David Zigmont (Hon).

PRE MOD EX: 1. Matthew Leblanc (Hon); 2. Derek Wedding (Yam).