Wayne Rainey Visits Yamaha Racing HQ

Racing legend and three-time 500cc Grand Prix Champion Wayne Rainey paid a visit to Yamaha Motor Racing’s headquarters just outside of Milan, Italy.

The 1990-1992 World Champion met with employees of Yamaha Racing, Yamaha Motor Italy and Yamaha Motor RD Europe and officially opened a new boardroom named in his honor. Rainey, along with current Yamaha factory MotoGP racers Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies, took time to take photographs and sign autographs with the Yamaha staff.

The visit followed Rainey’s return to the Misano circuit for the MotoGP round, his first visit to the circuit since his career-ending crash in 1993 that left him paralyzed. Rainey rode in a convertible for a parade lap of the Misano circuit in front of the thousands in attendance. After Lorenzo won the MotoGP race, the reigning World Champion dedicated the victory to Rainey, presenting him the manufacturer trophy on behalf of the team.

“It’s been a great experience spending some time here at the headquarters,” says Rainey. “It’s fascinating to get an insight into what happens away from the track and what it takes to run a successful modern team. I’ve been overwhelmed with the positive reception from the all the people here. It was also a wonderful weekend in Misano, Yamaha welcomed me so warmly and it was very special for Shae and I to meet up with so many old friends and familiar faces. I’m honoured to be part of the Yamaha family and will be back again!”

Related Reading
2011 MotoGP Misano Results
Wayne Rainey to Appear at Misano for First Time Since Career-Ending Crash

By Dennis Chung