Wayne Rainey: His Own Story [Hardcover]

Michael Scott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1997

This is the biography of the legendary American triple 500cc world motorcycle champion Wayne Rainey. It covers his two lives - from childhood up to the moment he crashed in Italy on September 1993 severing his spinal cord, then afterwards struggling to come to terms with life in a wheelchair, and returning to the track as a racing team owner - he talks frankly of his ambitions, his anguish, and his courageous new role.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

Now available in paperback, this is the official biography of the legendary American triple 500cc world motorcycle champion Wayne Rainey. It covers his two lives - from childhood up to the moment he crashed in Italy on 5 September 1993 severing his spinal cord, then afterwards struggling to come to terms with being in a wheelchair, and returning to the track as a racing team owner.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Michael Scott writes brilliantly about people, most recently in the well-reviewed Barry Sheene: Motorcycle racing’s jet-set superstar. He is the long-time editor of Motocourse, and lives in London.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 244 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks International; First edition (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1859604013
• ISBN-13: 978-1859604014
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,169,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wayne is an Animal, March 18, 1999

By 

Les Hart ([e-mail]) (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wayne Rainey: His Own Story (Hardcover)

Wayne Rainey is far and away the best motorcycle racer to hail from the States. His story is told truthfully and matter-of-factly. I really felt for him, his wife and son after reading this book in about 3 days while on bed-rest while pregnant. He tells how his drive and determination got him to the top of the Grand Prix circuit and how that same drive and determination led to his spectacular crash. Wayne is a true hero for those of us who don't have enough guts to get on a two-wheeled machine and go for the checkered flag like he did. He tells how scary it was in those first few hours after the crash, having to tell his wife that he was REALLY hurt and wouldn't make it to a 4th consecutive title. Wayne also tells about the feelings he went through after the crash and how difficult it has been to just go to the bathroom and not make a complete mess out of his clothes and his wheelchair.

Any motorcycle racing fan will be spellbound by this book. Wayne attends the AMA and World Superbike races every year at Laguna Seca and will stop and talk with you and let you put your 4 month old daughter on his lap for a picture with one of the greatest motorcycle champions arounds.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book on a Great Racer, June 15, 2000

By 

Michael R. Lachance (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wayne Rainey: His Own Story (Hardcover)

Wayne Rainey was certainly one of the greatest GP Racers to hit the scene in the late 80's-early 90's. With 3 consecutive world championships under his belt he had his 4th wrapped up when tragedy struck. Rainey's career was cut short and thus began a new chapter in this champion's life. The book deals with his youth, and his early racing years on the dirt tracks of Southern California and later, the dirt tracks throughouit the US. His entry into GP racing makes for some of the most intriging and blatantly honest reading you will find. With Kenny Roberts as team manager, Wayne Rainey's career began to open up and the more you read the better this book gets. This is simply the best book on the "inside" of a GP racer and the entire lifestyle that goes with it. (Ever wonder how "team-mates" get along when they BOTH want to win? ) Don't pass this one up. It deserves to be read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest & touching, January 29, 2003

By 

Andre L. Janniere (Miami, Fl. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wayne Rainey: His Own Story (Hardcover)

I met wayne as a fan in 1987 at Road Atlanta when he rode for Honda after having read so many magazines about him.I never Heard of Kevin Schwantz until that weekend and Wayne despite being very busy, courteously found time to have Shay take a photo of both of us and give me an autograph.He was so receptive and pleasant.That weekend I watched in awe his amazing battle against Kevin's Suzuki and would never forget that day for the rest of my life.Then I continued to watch him on TV from 1988 to that fateful day.The book brought tears and lumps in my throat.This book tells it all and is a must buy.I am also a racer a know the will and the determination to win at all costs.This book also helps us analyze ourselves and our personal relationship with GOD.A precious collector's item to have.