FROM THE PUBLISHER

This is the frank and deeply moving story of Wayne Rainey, who came from the dirt-tracks of California to conquer motorcycle racing. Written in close co-operation with Rainey himself, it is a searingly honest chronicle of how, riding for former triple World Champion Kenny Roberts, he took the factory Yamahas to domination, winning three blue riband 500-class titles in a row.

Good-looking, articulate, skilled, successful, wealthy, happily married, charming and popular, he seemed to have everything: World Champion Wayne personified a powerful American dream. But nobody knew of his inner turmoil. There was no satisfaction: success merely drove him harder, until the championship became an obsession that almost destroyed him.

In 1993, one hand already on a fourth successive crown, he was cruelly injured in the Italian Grand Prix. Spine severely broken, he had to come to terms with permanent paralysis and all the indignities and frustrations that involves. It was a battle that Wayne would fight with characteristic vigour and determination, to emerge as a team owner/manager, now fighting for the World Championship from the pits.