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Diamond Don Rainey & James Novey Partner up to bring you
Inaugural Route 49 Biker Rally
March 23-25, 2012

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Don Rainey Honored at Houston Supercross

 The Legends & Heroes Motocross Tour honored ”Diamond” Don Rainey, owner of The Historic Jefferson Railway, on February 12 at the Houston Supercross.  He was recognized as one of the pioneers of motocross for his contributions to the sport.  Onstage before an audience of 40,000 people, Rainey told the story of the early days of the great evolution of Motocross and the Mugan Honda.

Gary Bailey and Steve Wise presented the award to Don.  Bailey was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999 and he was the first American to beat the Europeans in motocross.  Bailey will be the weekend legend at the 9^th Annual Diamond Don’s National Vintage Motocross event to be held in Jefferson April 15-17.  Wise will go down in history as one of the most multi-talented riders in the history of motorcycle racing. Wise earned the distinction of becoming the only rider in history to win AMA motocross, AMA Supercross and AMA Superbike nationals.

Diamond Don Rainey began his racing career in 1968 on a DT One Yamaha.  He bought first “real” race bike, a 1969 Husquvarna, when he joined the H&H Music Racing team in 1969 where he raced for about five years. 

In 1971, he was the first Texan to race in California.  In 1972, he promoted the first night race at Meyers Speedway in Houston.  Racing in the Astrodome was a career highlight.

One of his greatest friendships was with Al Baker whom he met while racing the InterAms and TransAms.  Al was the racing director for Kawasaki from 1972 until about 1975.  Don was on Al Baker’s race team at the final checkpoint when Al won the Baja 1000 in 1982.  Diamond had the pleasure of following him in across the finish line.

Rainey retired from professional racing in the early 1980’s but took up vintage racing when he turned 53 and still races today in the 60+ expert class as a member of AHRMA.