Diamond Don’s - XC

DIAMOND

Mike Parker (15P; pc Kenny Lau), Ricky Rice (555; pc Pauly Chambers)

HOT & DUSTY SEPTEMBER FUN DON'S

WORDS: “CHICAGO” JERRY GRAKAUSKAS PHOTOS: PAULY CHAMBERS & KENNY LAU “AWESOME SHOTS” The 2021 Hagerty AHRMA Cross Country Racing Series at Diamond Don’s Riverport National kicked off in September for the second year in a row and for the foreseeable future. The good news was, no high water and mud to contend as with the previous Spring editions. The bad news was, things were hot and very dusty, but the riders all handled it well. In the weeks leading up to the event, a good group of volunteers made sure that things would go off without a hitch; Jeff Blackwood was enlisted with his specialized mulcher that could cut a four-foot swath through most brush. Wes Willis, Diamond Don’s longtime friend and jack-of-alltrades, was giving guidance where the machine should go as well as determining how to more safely stage the starting rows. As they have for many years, Mike Haynes and Brant Wedding were out for many weekends getting paths cut, marking trails and whatever else needed attention. The above listed crews also built new bridges for the multiple railroad crossings and added a new culvert to help with a traditionally wet, swampy area. Becky Hayes, AHRMA Cross-Country Coordinator, shows up to make sure things run smoothly, including the preliminary work weeks ahead of time to assure that all the needed jobs are not left unfilled. The course itself was about six miles in length and lap times were just over sixteen minutes for the vintage race and just under fifteen minutes for Post Vintage. It is one of the more unique races held all year, which features a run past an actual alligator pit, through a squash patch, over and along, A) a bayou, B) railroad tracks, C) a levee. Rounding out the one-of-a-kind experiences, there is also a “Rhumbar” offering free cocktails to the spectators behind the scoring area at the main pavilion. This year, the Rhumbar was sponsored by the Route 49 Crossroads Liquor Store, Bad Company Racing, and Troy Rapp Concrete. In the Vintage race, Kevin O’Brien led all riders to the finish aboard his trusty Yamaha, winning the Sportsman Open Expert class. One of the big stories of the day was Suzy Moody beating the rest of the field for second overall, en route to winning to the Women’s Expert class on her Yamaha IT, besting another really fast woman, Suzuki-mounted, Shelia Monk. Mark Sturtevant rode his Premier Expert class BSA to the win. Perennial fast guy, Mike Parker, finished second in the Classic Expert

Trampas Parker (14X) pc: Pauly Chambers Garrett English (738), John Gott (375); pc: Pauly Chambers

XC

class on his Honda. He was bested by Hodaka-mounted, Bruce MacFarlane. With another impressive ride was CanAm mounted, Chris Gillespie. He went from 23rd overall on the first lap to end up seventh overall at the finish. Bill Hester was the top Intermediate rider, finishing fifth overall astride his Yamaha. Larry Meeker led all the Novice riders, on a Post Vintage Honda. The Post Vintage Cross Country was really a tight, close finish. The top four riders were less than 90 seconds apart at the end, and three of those four riders had the same last name of Parker. Former MX world champion, Trampas Parker, took his Honda XR200 to the overall win over second place overall, Post Vintage Open Expert class winner, Husky-mounted Kevin Hutchison, a mere fourteen seconds back. Heith Parker was next across the line on his Yamaha, beating yet another Parker, Ricky, on a Honda XR200 by just four seconds. Steve Sinclair was the top finishing Post Vintage Intermediate rider, winning the Post Vintage Open class with his Yamaha. The next best Intermediate following closely behind was fast woman, Suzy Moody, riding her Yamaha in both sessions. At so many of the cross country events, there are many folks on race day that lend a hand to make sure things run smoothly. From signup, to tech inspectors, scorers, sweep riders, starters and flaggers; it takes a small village. A huge thank you to those of you too many to mention.

ABOVE: Clint Boyd (562), Eddie Parks (859); pc Pauly Chambers BELOW: Kevin O’brien (19Y) on his way to the Vintage overall win; pc Kenny Lau