European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 7, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Above american Wayne Rainey leans his Soock Yamaha into a curve on the stir Burgering during the German grand prix. At left Rainey celebrates one of his three victories this season. Wayne Rainey it s Tough at the tops amps photos by Michael Abrams by Randy Barnett motor sports editor California speedster Wayne Rainey fits the Hollywood image of a racer. He s a handsome Well mannered Debonair Young Man with Blue eyes and Blond hair and he has a winning personality. But on the track Rainey is As Tough and determined As they come. Now enjoying a Strong Lead for the world championship in the top class Soock grand prix motorcycle racing division Rainey is heavily favored to win this year s title but he stresses that Quot it s a Long Way to go and anything can although just 29 years old Rainey has a full 20 years of motorcycle racing experience. Quot i started racing dirt bikes at the age of 9, and i be been at it Ever since Quot he said during an interview at the curb urging near Koblenz West Germany during the German grand prix weekend. Quot but no matter How Many years of racing it never gets any easier especially Here at the top. I continue to learn and my Riding gets better but there is always More pressure to win Quot the pressure is really on Rainey this season because he s carrying the Flag alone for the powerful Kenny Roberts Marlboro Yamaha team. His teammate four time world Champion Eddie Lawson of Upland Calif crashed april 7 during qualifying for the . Grand prix at Laguna Seca and has been out of action since Lawson is recovering from foot and Heel injuries and the time of his return to the track is still not definite. Lawson the defending Soock world Champion. Rode for Honda last year and then joined Rainey and the Roberts team after winning his fourth title. Rainey who had led for the Soock Crown on a Roberts Yamaha during most of the 1989 season lost out to Lawson by Only a few Points. Quot i had looked Forward to racing with Eddie this season As a teammate Quot Rainey said Quot and i m disappointed about his absence. But in the Long run it makes no difference because i m out to win and the pressure to win is the same. Quot with Eddie out 1 still Don t feel any More responsibility than i normally would. 1 have a Job to do and f must do it the Best Way that i can. The Job is the same with or without Eddie. Quot the world championship is my Only goal and to win it i must win every race that i possibly can i d like to win them All but that s a hard Rainey is in his third year of Riding for a Kenny Roberts directed team and he said he gets along Well with the former three time world Champion. Both Are californians a Rainey from Downey and Roberts from Modesto. Quot i have free reign on the team Quot Rainey said Quot and if i have problems i ask Roberts for help. We think the same As far As racing goes and As i said we relate very Well. If i do win the championship this year it will be the result of a team Effort a not just my Riding. Everyone must do his Job. We have a smart dedicated and creative Bunch of Guys on our team and i think we re the Best in the beginning in 1978, when Roberts won the first of his three Soock world titles for Yamaha he was the first american to win a Soock Crow american riders have been champions in this class nine times. There have been Only three losses a in 1981, 82 and 87. Why have american riders been so dominant in stripes Magazine june 7, 1990
