Wayne Rainey

Wayne Rainey ranks among the legends of motorcycle racing, and was one of the last American multi World Champions in the MotoGP. Rainey won three 500cc titles consecutively from 1990 till 1992, and was one of the key players in the Golden era of the premier class.

Winning three championships while competing against legends such as Kevin Schwantz, Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan, places him firmly among them. In 1988 Rainey was taken under the wing of Kenny Roberts Sr. and even though he emerged on the scene at the same time as Schwantz, his style of racing included hair raising antics, displayed in US Superbike racing. Rainey immediately impressed Roberts with his determination, careful study and talent. That season Rainey clinched a debut Grand Prix victory and a further six podium positions to finish third in the final standings.

Till the 1993 season, Rainey had accumulated 24 wins and 65 podium positions, but in his effort to make up for Yamaha's drawbacks, against the powerful Honda NSR and Suzuki's RGV, Rainey suffered several injuries. In the lead at the Grand Prix in Misano and on his way to wining his fourth title, Rainey suffered an unexpected crash, which left him with a broken sixth thoracic vertebra.

Rainey consistent pursuit for excellence makes him a much deserving ambassador for MotoGP and to this day he continues to race Karts. Rainey often visits the US Grand Prix at the Laguna Seca circuit, which is located close to his current home.