American legend Wayne Rainey suffered a life-changing injury in 1993 when he crashed during the 500cc Misano race, remedying a spinal injury that ended his career and paralyzed him from the waist down. .
Rainey won three 500cc class titles between 1990 and 1992 with Yamaha, and went on to manage a team for the Japanese marque before retiring to the United States in 1998.
Since 2015 he has assumed the position of president of MotoAmerica, helping to revive the AMA Superbike scene in the United States.
Rainey will make his first appearance at the Festival of Speed in June and ride one of his bikes, which will obviously be modified to suit his needs, for the first time since the Misano accident.
“I am incredibly excited to not only attend my first Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer, but to ride my 1992 Yamaha YZR500 up the famous hill,” said Rainey.
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”
“I want to thank the Yamaha Motor Company for preparing my 1992 YZR500 and adapting it for me, MotoAmerica for helping to get the whole project off the ground and The Duke of Richmond for making this a reality.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting the fans who will come from all over the world for the Goodwood Festival of Speed.”
Wayne Rainey and Loris Capirossi, Yamaha
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Yamaha racing director Lin Jarvis added that he never imagined it would be possible to see Rainey riding the 1992 YZR500 again.
“Wayne Rainey is a true motorcycling legend who achieved three 500cc world titles with Yamaha before the crash and injury that ended his career.”
“The thought of Wayne riding the legendary 1992 YZR500 Factory with which he won his last championship is something truly incredible, which I myself would never have imagined could be possible.”
“I know it will mean a lot to Wayne, and it will be something very special to all fans at Goodwood and around the world. We are proud to be able to help Wayne make his dream come true.”
Rainey rode a modified road Yamaha in Willow Springs as early as 2019, making his first ride on a motorcycle 26 years after his accident.
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