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The Desert Vipers Motorcycle Club has a proud history in Southern California that includes motorcycle riding, racing, charity events, promoting the sport, and providing a fine example to several generations of motorcycle loving families.
The Club was actually founded in the early 1960s as a street motorcycle club called the Street Vipers. Bob Tarter convened a small group of men, including active members Ron Milligan and Lyle Palmer, in his shop in Westminster to bench race and talk about riding motorcycles.  They would organize street rides and were often seen sliding their bikes sideways at the famous Ascot Park in Gardena. A few short years later, the siren call of the desert lured them from the street to the dirt, and in 1965, the Desert Vipers were born.
After several years of racing other club's events, the Vipers finally put on their first District 37 race, a Hare Scrambles at Slash X in the Stoddard Valley. This race was very well received and was won by Tommy Brooks in an event that received national coverage.
The club then helped develop a new racing concept, the Dual European Scrambles. This event is unique in that two clubs ran two races per day on two courses making a figure eight with the same pit area. The first event in the United States was held at El Mirage dry lakebed and was co-hosted by the Vipers and the Southern California Club. The Vipers eventually started a Dual European event of their own near the Viper Rock and Finger Rock areas of Lucerne Valley.
The year 1980 stands out for the Vipers as a watermark. It was the first year they held the now famous Adelanto Grand Prix. From humble beginnings, this race has grown to the largest off-road race in the United States, regularly drawing nearly 2000 racers and 25,000 spectators.
We appreciate your comments, support, and would welcome donations to our legal defense fund in our efforts to keep the desert open to OHV recreation and for perhaps bringing back the Barstow to Vegas Hare and Hound.
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Copyright © 2005 Desert Vipers Motorcycle Club
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