In what is set to be a truly historic moment, Wayne Rainey will be reunited with two of his greatest rivals - Kevin Schwantz and Mick Doohan - at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
And if that weren’t enough, two-time 500GP king Kenny Roberts will also be there to commemorate his old friend.
Holding a phenomenal 12 500cc World Championships between them, including consecutive championships from 1990-1998, Doohan, Roberts, Schwantz and Rainey will all take to the famed Hillclimb over the weekend.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to Goodwood - it’s been a few years since my last visit. It will be a very memorable moment to see Wayne back on two wheels,” said Doohan.
“To have raced against him for several years, plus having got close to wrestling a title from him on a couple occasions, in the early 90’s, were very special memories in my career. He and I had a great rivalry, especially ’91 and ’92, unfortunately for me, Wayne came out on top.
“To be able to ride with him at the Festival of Speed is sensational and it will be a real spectacle to see him back on a bike.”
Roberts said: “After having spent most of my life traveling the world it takes a lot for me to want to leave the house these days.
“But having heard that Wayne Rainey will be riding his championship-winning 1992 YZR500 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, I just had to be there to witness this amazing occasion. Great credit has to go to Yamaha Motor Company and Lin Jarvis in particular for making this project fly and all the engineers back in Japan who have got the bike running and adapted for Wayne to ride.
“Wayne’s determination to make this all happen is no surprise. When he has something in his head that he wants to do, it’ll happen and it’s testament to him that two of his greatest rivals, Kevin Schwantz and Mick Doohan will be present at the festival this year to live this dream with him. I can promise there will not be a dry-eye in the house. It’s gonna be some party.”
“To ride a 500cc Grand Prix bike alongside Wayne Rainey is something that has really underpinned my whole life,” added Schwantz.
“To be able to have that experience again - it being so long since Wayne has been on his race bike - for me, is going to be unbelievable. I’m so looking forward to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year and getting to see Wayne, Shae and Rex and taking my family there; it’s something that I’m really excited about.”
Rainey said: “I never thought I’d have a chance to throw a leg over a Grand Prix bike again. And I certainly never thought I’d have an opportunity to share a track with Kenny, Mick and Kevin. This could only happen at the Festival of Speed.
“Obviously, Kenny played a major role in my racing career and my life so having him with us at Goodwood is going to make an incredible experience even more so. And many fans know Mick and Kevin were a couple of my greatest rivals during my Grand Prix career, and it means so much to me that they are making the trip to the Festival of Speed for what will be a very special time.
“We all share so many memories of competition, it will be fun to experience a new sense of camaraderie with them. This will be my first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and I can’t wait for June to get here.”
