Wayne Rainey Returns to the Saddle of 1992 YZR500 at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Three-time 500cc Grand Prix champion Wayne Rainey was reunited with his 1992 championship-winning YZR500 in an emotional display at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The event marked the first time Rainey, who was paralysed from the chest down in an accident at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix, had ridden a race bike since his career-ending crash.




The 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed saw one of Yamaha’s most iconic champions return to the saddle of one of the most legendary Yamaha race machines as Wayne Rainey rode up the famous hill climb aboard a specially modified version of his 1992 championship-winning YZR500.

It was the first time Rainey, who won the 500cc Grand Prix World Championship for Yamaha three-times back-to-back between 1990 and 1992 before his career-ending crash at Misano in 1993, has appeared at the legendary Goodwood Festival of Speed – a celebration of everything motorsport held on the picturesque Goodwood Estate near Chichester, England – and the Californian did it in style, marking his first time riding a race-specification motorcycle in almost 30 years.

The 1992 YZR500 was specially adapted by Yamaha Motor Company engineers in Japan, who modified the gear shift system so Rainey could change up and down the gears by controls on the left handlebar.

After a private test session earlier in the week, Rainey rode up the hill for the first time to rapturous applause on Thursday alongside his compatriot, fellow Yamaha champion and his Marlboro Yamaha Team Roberts boss Kenny Roberts Snr, as well as former 500cc rivals Kevin Schwantz and Mick Doohan. Rainey will complete two runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to Goodwood’s bustling crowd.

Wayne Rainey:

“I was quite nervous about riding the YZR500, as when I rode the R1 it was all quite straightforward as the bikes these days have so much electronics on them but it’s a bit different with a 500cc Grand Prix bike! But, to be honest, it felt like an old friend.

It was always a challenge to race the bike at that level, fighting for race wins and championships, but being here 30 years later, being able to get on the bike and ride it up the hill in a nice, easy gentle setting is fantastic. The bike was there for me back then and it’s there for me today, so I’m thrilled.

“I didn’t know what to expect, I couldn’t really go there as I had no idea what it would feel like but when I put my helmet on and they started the bike, I was like ‘it’s on’.

Being able to ride up the hill and through the corners, looking down and seeing that I was on my Grand Prix bike again after all those years felt like I was in a completely different world, and to do it alongside those guys, Kenny, Kevin and Mick, I could not have asked more than sharing this experience with them.

A huge thank you to the Duke of Richmond for having me and to Yamaha for taking the bike out of the museum and adapting it for me to ride.”
 

Yamaha Motor Europe N.V., also photo

 
    New Giulia ESTREMA and Stelvio ESTREMA make UK debuts at festival more >> Sports Car Market Magazine at Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance and Motoring Festival

20.06.2022 Sports Car Market Magazine will Present the 2022 Spirit of Motoring Award at the 20th Anniversary Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance and Motoring Festival on Nov. 6Sports Car Market magazine, in partnership with The Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance and Motoring Festival, will present the “Sports Car Market Spirit of Motoring Award& more >> Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City 2022: The exhibition presents V-Connect for synergy across physical and online spaces

15.06.2022 Since borders reopened in March, enthusiasm for Vietnam’s automotive market keeps growing with the organisers of Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City 2022 receiving enquiries about inbound travel, visits to the fair and booth availability. To fulfil both exhi more >> The heroes behind CUPRA’s Unstoppable Impulse

15.06.2022     Last week CUPRA held the Unstoppable Impulse, an unconventional six-day event to present its vision of the future and its new models through to 2025    Behind the event is the effort of a team of more than 100 people who worked for three months to realise a dream that was experienced by 4,200 attendees from 44 countries more >> Alfa Romeo inaugurates its new brand identity in Milan

10.06.2022 •    On the occasion of the commercial launch of the Tonale in the main European markets, Alfa Romeo is inaugurating a new flagship store in Milan at the Stellantis &You Sales & Services dealership. •    The first showroom in the world to feature the new Brand Identity, it will provide an immersive sensorial e more >> Ducati Riding Experience Travel Adventures: travelling the Ducati way – registrations

10.06.2022 •    The Ducati Riding Experience season continues with the offer of three travel formats studied in detail to offer enthusiasts unique experiences aboard Ducati models•    DesertX Expedition in Sardinia from 7 to 11 September, Multistrada Expedition between Italy and France from 29 September to 4 October and two appointments of more >> Everrati partners with Henry Poole & Co for Concours on Savile Row, London

09.06.2022 •    Everrati collaborates with one of Savile Row’s oldest tailors, Henry Poole & Co, for unique automotive Concours in the heart of London•    Two companies share a similar ethos offering bespoke, custom-made products for discerning global clientele•    Everrati’s r more >> FIA ETCR to showcase Next Generation Festival at Circuito de Madrid Jarama-RACE

08.06.2022 • Circuito de Madrid Jarama-RACE to highlight the future of vehicles and motor sport

 
• Jarama Next Generation Festival announced in press conference in Madrid• A Jarama that is sustainab more >> MINI Recharged & Paul Smith: An icon sustainably reinvented

07.06.2022 The British designer converts a classic Mini from the 1998 MINI Paul Smith Edition and reinvents the classic in the process. The customised car is part of the MINI Recharged project, which celebrates the fusion of tradition wi more >> Goodyear to support communities with fifth annual global week of volunteering

02.06.2022 Associates will help build a better future with volunteering activities at 23 locations worldwideThe Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is holding its fifth annual Global Week of Volunteering from June 2 – 8. The event will include a week of volunteer opp more >> The Aiways difference: Chinese EV maker’s journey to become an active lifestyle brand in Europe

02.06.2022  •    Aiways Europe at epicenter of influential dialogue in automotive, lifestyle, political and business spheres

•    Aiways U5 SUVs requested as VIP sh more >> 350 GT: the V12 that laid the foundations for Lamborghini’s DNA

19.05.2022 In the year of the V12, the story of the first: from its origins to the Aventador Ultimae, the last pure aspirated V12 from the House of Sant’AgataFor Lamborghini, 2022 is the year of the V12, its legendary 12-cylinder engine that has po more >> Lyn St. James Selected as Grand Marshal for Third Annual Chattanooga Motorcar Festival Oct. 14-16, 2022

16.05.2022 Racing champion Brian Redman returns as Grand Ambassador, Corky Coker named Grand Marshal EmeritusJustin Bell’s “Torque Show” and road rally created by Canossa Events added to weekend program   more >> Genesis extends partnership with Goodwood Festival of Speed for a further three years

12.05.2022     Relationship continues the Korean brand’s ambitious launch in Europe    Genesis will make two exciting product debuts at the Festival    The Genesis stand will showcase the full Genesis range more >> The International Society of Automation Celebrates Automation Professionals with Designated Global Day

12.05.2022 The International Society of Automation celebrated the first-ever International Automation Professionals Day on 28 April. The digital event engaged automation professionals from all around the globe to recognize their efforts in the vastly growing automation industry. more >> 30 years of KW – from a one-man business to a global entrepreneurial group

10.05.2022  
In May 1992, Klaus Wohlfarth created the foundation for an impressive success story by starting his retail business KW Tuning. Today three decades later, the retailer of sporty car tuning and accessories has become a world-renowned manufacturer in the segment more >> Latest star cars announced for Concours of Elegance 2022

10.05.2022     Latest star cars announced for Concours of Elegance’s tenth anniversary show in 2022

 
    Running from the 2nd to 4th September at Hampton Court Palace, the line-up will include an ultra-rare 3-seater more >> Top trading and expert advice at Beaulieu’s Spring Autojumble

10.05.2022 With less than two weeks to go until the greatly anticipated return of Beaulieu’s Spring Autojumble, there’s still time to get involved with the buying and selling action and meet classic car experts at the packed event on 14th and 15th May. more >> Bruno Senna laps Miami GP circuit in all-new McLaren Artura High-Performance Hybrid

06.05.2022 …to mark its North American dynamic debutTwenty-one years ago, the legendary Ayrton Senna won his final US Grand Prix driving for McLaren at the Phoenix street circuit in Arizona. This week, his nephew more >> Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2022 – exclusive concours for historic vehicles

04.05.2022 All the information on this year’s edition of the exclusive concours for historic vehicles.
From 20 to 22 May 2022, BMW Group Classic and Grand Hotel Villa d’Este are presenting around fifty of the most beautiful and fastest automobiles of t more >> A hat-trick for the Vintage Bentley team on the Flying Scotsman

04.05.2022 After a 3-year enforced absence, the 12th Flying Scotsman rally organised by HERO-ERA lived up to its reputation as one of the world’s most challenging rallies for vintage cars.

 
True to form, the weather in the region at springtime delivered more >> Viper’s Roy Sjoberg to Join “Celebration of the Snakes” at the Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance

03.05.2022 … on June 24-25- Fifth annual Concours to benefit Cool Cars for Kids- Ford Shelby Cobra and Dodge Viper highlighted at Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum event more >> ADS-TEC Energy CEO to Speak on EV Charging Infrastructure Challenges and Solutions at Financial Times “Future of the Car 2022” Summit

03.05.2022 ADS-TEC Energy (NASDAQ: ADSE), a global leader in battery-buffered, ultra-fast charging technology, today announced that its Founder and CEO Thomas Speidel will be speaking at The Financial Times Future of the Car 2022 summit during the conference’s EV Battery Day on May 12. more >> Historic Bay Area Race Cars To Be Celebrated At 66th Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance on June 26

02.05.2022 Special Educational Seminar Will Honor 1926 Bugatti Type 39A,  1954 Jaguar XK120, 1948 Nardi Corsa Barchetta and 1954 La Carrera Panamericana Chrysler New Yorker Honoring the rich history of the Bay Area and its legendary tie more >> Surface Technology GERMANY – Focus on sustainability and resource efficiency

27.04.2022 From June 21 to 23, trade visitors to Surface Technology GERMANY will get a comprehensive overview of the latest trends and topics in coating technologies. Featuring topic clusters, group pavilions and an exciting supporting program, this international trade more >> Messe Frankfurt reschedules CAPAS 2022 and Auto Maintenance & Repair Expo 2022

22.04.2022 In view of the evolving pandemic situation in China, the Government has escalated a number of COVID-19 prevention and control measures. To align with these efforts, Messe Frankfurt is rescheduling two of its Mobility & Logistics fairs in the country. more >> The Huracán era: car #20,000 rolls off Automobili Lamborghini’s production line

21.04.2022 Eight-year success story through 12 road and three track versions

 
Automobili Lamborghini announces Huracán number 20,000: an STO model in glorious Grigio Acheso Matt for a client in the Principality of Monaco. more >> Everrati to showcase electrified icons at Salon Privé London

21.04.2022     Everrati’s redefined electric Porsche 911 (964) Gulf Signature Edition and Land Rover Series IIA to be exhibited at Salon Privé London from 21-23 April    Prestigious motor show held within the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in central London    Porsche 911 (964) Gulf Signature more >> Mercedes-AMG Joins the SCM 1000 AMG Invitational as Presenting Sponsor

15.04.2022  Keith Martin, founder and publisher of Sports Car Market magazine, announced that Mercedes-AMG will be the presenting sponsor of the 2022 SCM 1000 AMG Invitational. A 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series on tour. (Brian McCarthy, Bear more >>