Diamond Don Bio

Diamond Don Rainey
February 9. 2011

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.  One of his career highlights was racing in the Astrodome.

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.

Diamond 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. 

Diamond Don’s National Vintage Motocross race is the largest vintage race in the U.S. drawing over 800 race entries each year.  Racers from around the world attend this extravaganza.  Gary Bailey will be recognized as event legend this year at Don’s race in Jefferson, Texas April 15th through the 17th.  He will be joined by legend greats Marty Tripes, Brad Lackey, Danny LaPorte, Chuck Sun, Tommy Croft, Marty Smith, Steve Wise, Trampas Parker, Billy Liles and John Desoto.