Wayne Rainey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wayne Rainey |
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Rainey on the Yamaha YZR500
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| Born | October 23, 1960 Downey, California, U.S. |
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Wayne Wesley Rainey (born October 23, 1960) is an American former professional motorcycle racer. He competed in the top level of Grand Prix motorcycle racing from 1988 to 1993. Wayne Rainey won the 500cc World Championship three times in a row. He also won the famous Daytona 200 race once.
Rainey was known for his smooth and smart riding style. He had a strong rivalry with fellow American racer Kevin Schwantz. Their battles on the track were legendary between 1987 and 1993.
Contents
Wayne Rainey's Racing Journey
Rainey started his racing career in the A.M.A. Grand National Championship. This series included different types of dirt track races and road races. In 1981, he was ranked 15th in dirt track racing.
Early Success
After doing well in 250cc road races, Kawasaki hired him. He joined their 1982 AMA Superbike Championship team. His teammate was the champion Eddie Lawson. The next year, Lawson moved to Grand Prix racing. Rainey then became the main rider for Kawasaki. He won the 1983 National Championship for them.
In 1984, Rainey joined the new Kenny Roberts Yamaha team. He raced in the 250cc class of the Grand Prix World Championship. This year was not very successful for him. He returned home in 1985. He then raced for the Maclean Racing team and later for the American Honda team from 1986 to 1987.
Rivalry with Kevin Schwantz
During the 1987 Superbike National Championship, his big rivalry with Kevin Schwantz began. They fought hard for the title. Rainey won the Championship that year. But their intense competition was just starting. Their rivalry was so strong that they even battled each other in the 1987 Transatlantic Trophy races. They were supposed to be teammates against British riders.
Becoming a World Champion
In 1988, Rainey went back to Europe. He rejoined Team Roberts Yamaha in the top 500cc class. He rode the powerful YZR500 bike. His rival, Schwantz, also came to Europe to race for Team Suzuki. They continued their exciting battles on race tracks across Europe. Their rivalry pushed both of them to become even better riders.
In 1988, Rainey won his first world championship race at the British Grand Prix. That same year, he and his Yamaha teammate Kevin Magee won the famous Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race in Japan. In 1989, Rainey finished second overall behind Eddie Lawson. He won three races and was on the podium in every race he finished.
From 1990 to 1992, Rainey was at the peak of his career. He won three world championships in a row for Yamaha.
Career-Ending Accident
In 1993, Rainey was trying for his fourth straight title. He was in a very close fight with Kevin Schwantz. Rainey was leading the championship by 11 points. He was also leading the race at the Italian Grand Prix in Misano. Sadly, he crashed at high speed. He broke his spine, which caused him to become paralyzed from the chest down. This injury meant he could no longer race. His great rival, Kevin Schwantz, then won the championship.
Life After Racing
After his accident, Rainey got advice from Williams team owner Frank Williams, who also used a wheelchair. Rainey later became the team manager for Marlboro Yamaha for a few years.
Even with his injury, Rainey did not give up racing. He raced a special hand-controlled Superkart in California. He lives in Monterey, California, near the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca track. This track even named a corner after him, called Rainey Curve.
Rainey has been honored for his amazing career. He was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999. The FIM called him a Grand Prix "Legend" in 2000. He was also inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2003, he was featured in the motorcycle racing documentary film, Faster.
In 2015, Rainey and his business partners took over the rights to AMA-sanctioned road racing. This started the MotoAmerica era of racing.
Rainey lives in Monterey, California, with his wife Shae. They have a son named Rex.
In 2022, Rainey rode his 1992 YZR500 bike at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Yamaha specially changed the bike for him. They moved the rear brake and gear shift controls to the handlebars.
Awards
- He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2008.
See also
In Spanish: Wayne Rainey para niños
