Wayne Rainey
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Wayne Rainey (born October 23, 1960) was one of the most successful American motorcycle road racers during the late 1980s and early 1990s. After a brief visit to the Grand Prix stage and the 250 cc class in 1984, he started racing full time in the 500 cc class in 1988. In 1989 he finished third overall in the championship.
From 1990 to 1992 he scored 3 consecutive titles in the 500 cc class. He lost out to fellow American road racer Kevin Schwantz in 1993, because of an accident which left him paralyzed from the chest down, he was forced to retire and gave the season to Schwantz. Rainey later became the team coach for Marlboro Yamaha for a few years. After the '93 Season Schwantz left the 500 gp because he saw his danger more clearly, and lost the competition that drove him to greatness.
The late years of the 80s and the first years of the 90s are by many reckoned to be the "Golden era" of motorcycling racing. Riders like Eddie Lawson, Wayne Gardner, Kevin Schwantz, Michael Doohan and Wayne Rainey had skills which made the racing fantastic and exciting for fans to watch. During his entire 500 cc career he raced Yamaha YZR motorcycles in the team lead by former triple world champion Kenny Roberts.
Rainey has refused to give up racing despite his disability and now races a hand-controlled kart in the World SuperKart series based in Northern California. He lives in Monterey, California, whose Laguna Seca circuit has a corner named after him. The Rainey Curve is a medium-speed acute left-hander that follows the famous Corkscrew.
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