Born in Southern California, Wayne Rainey started his dirt racing career in 1977, when clinched the AMA Superbike Championship (Kawasaki) in 1983 after a fierce battle with Kenny Roberts and Freddie Spencer. Rainey was introduced to GP racing by Roberts who had only recently retired at the time, and began competing full-time in World GP from the 1984 season (250cc). Rainey then returned to the AMA Superbike and won the series again in 1987 (on a Honda). He then got a regular seat in the GP500 with Team Roberts.

Over the next three years Rainey worked at refining his racing technique with amazing level headedness and a great fighting spirit. A "Rainey Pattern," where he would take the lead and stay ahead all the way to the finish, was established after some intense battles with Suzuki's Kevin Schwantz, who had been Rainey's former rival in his AMA years. From 1990 through 1992 he was able to match with Roberts' achievement by winning three consecutive championships in the 500cc class. However, a sudden accident in 1993 with his fourth victory in sight ended his racing career. Thankfully, Rainey's passion for racing did not end there, and he returned as the team manager the following year. This team consisted of Tetsuya Harada, Kenny Roberts Jr. and Norifumi Abe. Wayne was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.