--- title: "Paraplegic MotoGP Champion Rides at Goodwood on Modified Yamaha Superbike" description: "Wayne Rainey, former three-time MotoGP champion, who is paralyzed from the chest down, got back on his bike at Goodwood." date: "2022-06-26" modified: "2022-06-26" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/paraplegic-motogp-champion-rides-at-goodwood-on-modified-yamaha-superbike" categories: - "News" - "Racing" tags: - "motorcycle" - "yamaha" --- # Paraplegic MotoGP Champion Rides at Goodwood on Modified Yamaha Superbike ![]() Former [MotoGP ]()champion Wayne Rainey has been paralyzed from the chest down, since a tragic crash during the 1993 Italian Grand Prix. And yet, he was able to get back on the bike at the [Goodwood ]()Festival of Speed, riding his 1992 championship-winning Yamaha YZR500. Yamaha modified the controls, so Rainey could operate the bike with just his hands. To do so, shift controls were moved to the left handlebar: press a red button for upshifts and pull in the clutch lever for downshifts. A small black lever was also added to the left handlebar, to operate the rear brake. A bodywork extension at the back of the fuel tank was added, to give Rainey's lower body extra support, as were straps to keep him in place and a chest pad, to allow him to feel the bike's movements. Rainey was an absolute dominant force in early '90s MotoGP, winning the championship three years in a row with Yamaha, during a time when MotoGP bikes were difficult and unpredictable. Rainey's team principal during those championship years was another former MotoGP champion Kenny Roberts, who joined Rainey at his ride, thirty years later, on the iconic hill at Goodwood, making the moment even more emotional. ![]() *Wayne Rainey (front) and Kenny Roberts (back)* The ride at Goodwood was Rainey's first time back on a bike since his crash. His son Rex was only ten months old when Rainey was injured in Misano, Italy. So when Rex helped his dad onto his old Yamaha and watched him take off at Goodwood, it was actually the first time he ever saw Rainey ride. Praise goes to Rainey's courage to get back on the bike and kudos to Yamaha for pulling the YZR500 out of its museum to modify it for this event. Even if you aren't a MotoGP fan, this is an incredibly emotional, heartwarming, and human story. Seeing Rainey get back on his bike, after nearly three decades, in front of a crowd, at one of the most iconic motorsport events in the world, was uplifting to say the very least. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPkCDenpoGw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QDDaymJHYA ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()