Wayne Wesley Rainey (born 23 October 1960 in Downey, California, United States), is a former American Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, he won the 500cc World Championship three times and the Daytona 200 once. He was characterized by his smooth, calculating riding style.
Currently races a specially designed racing go-kart for fun, a gift from long time friend Eddie Lawson, who is also an avid go-karter. [2005]
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Rainey was well on his way to his fourth-consecutive title in September of 1993. He was leading the championship points and leading the Italian Grand Prix when he suffered a crippling crash at Misano. His career ending crash snapped his spinal column at the sixth thoracic vertebra leaving him paralyzed from the chest down.
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Inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999
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Refusing to give up racing despite his disability. He returned to the World championship circuit as an official Marlboro Yamaha team owner and manager from 1994-1998 then retired to spend more time with his family
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Laguna Seca circuit has a corner named after him. The "Rainey Curve" is a medium speed acute left hander that follows the World famous Corkscrew
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During his entire 500GP career he only raced with Yamaha
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One of the most successful American road racers during the late 1980s and early 1990s. From 1990 to 1992 he scored 3 consecutive titles in the 500 cc class.
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Retired in 1993 after an accident which left him paralyzed from the chest down.
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Grew up in a racing family. His father, Sandy, was a go-kart racer.
$800,000