Wayne Rainey already experienced a special moment in 2019 when, 26 years after that fatal accident, Wayne Rainey got back on a motorcycle, an adapted Yamaha R1, at the Willow Springs Circuit (California).
However, what was experienced this Thursday at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed was something unique. The three-time 500cc world champion was reunited with his Yamaha YZR500 , with which he achieved glory between 1990 and 1992 before suffering a terrible accident at the 1993 Italian GP (in Misano) that left him paraplegic (immobile from the waist down). ).
Yamaha Motor Company was in charge of the modifications to the bike, allowing the American pilot to carry it with only his hands by having the change on the handlebars. And on the morning of the first day of this year’s Festival of Speed, the big moment arrived, amid applause from the public and the participants in the great event.
Video: Wayne Rainey’s lap on the Yamaha YZR500 at Goodwood
( Click here if the video does not appear)
As you can see from the pictures, it was an exhibition lap, but in addition to the ride it also gave gas a couple of times. And, to complete the special reunion, Rainey made that demonstration with a luxury escort, his old friend and rival Kenny Roberts senior, at the controls of the Yamaha of the Proton KR team.
In fact, Kenny Roberts joked at the finish about how much smoke he’d had to endure riding behind Rainey.
In addition to these two, this weekend at Goodwood we can also enjoy another great rival of Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, as well as Mick Doohan, Dani Pedrosa or Giacomo Agostini. But, hey! There is no need to be there at FoS 2022 , here at Motorsport.com you can experience the days for free.
Follow here LIVE Friday’s day at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
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