Description
Please Note: We apologize as it is hard to hear Abhi in this video, but we know you just want to hear the kart anyway!
Additional photos are available here for your perusal.
Although two wheels typically take priority here at Iconic Motorbike Auctions, today, we have a four-wheeled offering that’s nothing short of unique: three-time 500cc Grand Prix World Champion Wayne Rainey’s Yamaha TZ250-powered Superkart.
It’s not uncommon for racers to dabble in other disciplines, but karting allowed Rainey to keep the throttle pinned. The champ got into the sport after a career-ending accident at the 1993 Italian Grand Prix left him paralyzed. Unable to race bikes, he had to seek out another outlet for setting hot lap times. From an interview in the Wall Street Journal: “The kart gave me my life back”. These are the words of Wayne Rainey, former three-time Motorcycle World Champion, paralyzed in a 1993 crash. Rainey went shifter kart racing three years after his life-changing accident. “Anybody who has had this kind of change in their life faces one main challenge: You wake up in the morning and you either get out of bed or you don’t. I chose to get out of bed.”
Ever a tinkerer, Wayne Rainey’s late father Sandy built, developed, and maintained a number of these platforms — for other former racing talents like Eddie Lawson as well. He originally set up the kart with handlebars and hand controls so that his son Wayne could race.
This particular example is based on an Anderson rolling chassis. Made from a combination of aerospace-grade tubing and carbon fiber, it boasts a foot clutch, rack and pinion steering, and Kelgate brake calipers front and rear with brake bias adjustment.
Unfortunately, after Sandy Rainey passed away, Wayne lost his interest in karting and the rigs were sold. The seller acquired this kart in a lot deal along with some other Yamaha parts.
The kart still bears its Rainey racing decal. It also reads a “WR-04” on one of the kit N810 cylinders.
It is engine #: G202E000095.
There is no odometer; true mileage is unknown.
Maintenance:
The original purchaser had Wayne’s kart converted back to standard foot controls and wheel steering configuration. The hand controls are no longer available.
Modifications:
Fully prepared YEC kitted Yamaha 5KE-4 motor. Per the seller, “it has approximately 150km since complete engine rebuild with new crank and top end. It is optimized to run on VP C-12 leaded race fuel.”
N-810 kit cylinders with cylindrical powervalves.
VHM cylinder heads.
Kit ECU with kit ignition map switch.
The sale includes a spare set of wheels and a spare carbon fiber radiator duct. The seller states that additional engine parts are available for an extra cost.
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Dunlop DFS slicks with date codes of 1096 and 1098.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located in Santa Monica, California, this Superkart is offered on a Bill of Sale only. Have any Wayne Rainey stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
