Three-time grand prix world champion Wayne Rainey will make a triumphant return to Yamaha YZR500 machinery at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, marking its celebration of innovators by riding his specially-adapted championship-winning bike for the first time since being paralysed in a crash 29 years ago.
Rainey’s outing on the machine he’d won the 1992 world championship on will mark only his second time on a bike since falling at Misano the following season.
His first return to riding came at the Sound of Engine Festival in Suzuka in 2019, where he rode a Yamaha R1 – but thanks to the help of the Iwata firm’s race department, he’ll get the chance to ride something much more special up the iconic Goodwood hill, as part of June 23-26 event.
“I’m incredibly excited to not only be attending my first Goodwood Festival of Speed this summer, but to be riding my 1992 Yamaha YZR500 up the famous hillclimb,” said the 61-year-old. “It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one that I just couldn’t pass up.
“I want to thank the Yamaha Motor Company for preparing my 1992 YZR500 and adapting it for me to ride, MotoAmerica for helping make the entire project fly, and The Duke of Richmond for really making this a reality. I can’t wait to meet the fans who come from all over the world for the Goodwood Festival of Speed.”
Yamaha is no stranger to Goodwood, with the chance to see Valentino Rossi riding up the Hill in 2015 on its M1 MotoGP machine one of the recent highlights of the event – and, given its history with Rainey, managing director Lin Jarvis says it couldn’t resist the chance to get involved again.
“The Goodwood Festival of Speed,” said the MotoGP team boss, “is an amazing event that is a showcase for two and four-wheel motorsports legends – both human and mechanical. Wayne Rainey is a true motorcycle racing legend who achieved three 500cc World Titles with Yamaha before his career-ending accident and injury.
“The thought of Wayne riding the legendary 1992 Factory YZR500 bike that he rode to his final championship victory is something truly amazing that I for one never imagined could be possible.
“I know it will mean so much to Wayne, and it will be something truly special for all the fans at Goodwood and all around the world.
“We are proud to be able to support Wayne make his dream come true.”
Rainey won three titles for the Marlboro Roberts Yamaha team from 1990 to 1992 and was well on track to winning title number four in a row in 1993 when his crash at Misano tragically brought his racing career to an end.
He then managed the Marlboro Yamaha team he’d enjoyed his success with as a rider and dabbled in Superkart racing on four wheels before moving into a race organisation role, becoming president of the relaunched MotoAmerica domestic superbike series when it relaunched in 2015, a role he continues to hold.
