Goodwood to reunite MotoGP legends Doohan, Roberts, Schwantz and Rainey

“I never thought I’d have a chance to throw a leg over a Grand Prix bike again,” Rainey said. “And I certainly never thought I’d have an opportunity to share a track with Kenny, Mick and Kevin. This could only happen at the Festival of Speed.

“Obviously, Kenny played a major role in my racing career and my life so having him with us at Goodwood is going to make an incredible experience even more so. And many fans know Mick and Kevin were a couple of my greatest rivals during my Grand Prix career, and it means so much to me that they are making the trip to the Festival of Speed for what will be a very special time.

“We all share so many memories of competition, it will be fun to experience a new sense of camaraderie with them. This will be my first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and I can’t wait for June to get here.”

Between the four of them, they achieved a grand total of 127 premier class wins, 133 pole positions and 255 podium finishes.

Many of those victories were fought amongst one another, but all four say that taking to the Goodwood Hill and supporting Rainey is an incredible prospect.

“To ride a 500cc Grand Prix bike alongside Wayne Rainey is something that has really underpinned my whole life,” Schwantz said. “To be able to have that experience again – it being so long since Wayne has been on his race bike – for me, is going to be unbelievable. I’m so looking forward to the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year and getting to see Wayne, Shae and Rex and taking my family there; it’s something that I’m really excited about.”

Doohan added: “It will be a very memorable moment to see Wayne back on two wheels – I believe it’s the first time on a race bike since his accident in 1993. To have raced against him for several years, plus having got close to wrestling a title from him on a couple occasions, in the early 90’s, were very special memories in my career. He and I had a great rivalry, especially ’91 and ’92, unfortunately for me, Wayne came out on top. To be able to ride with him at the Festival of Speed is sensational and it will be a real spectacle to see him back on a bike.”

“Wayne’s determination to make this all happen is no surprise,” Roberts said of the reunion. “When he has something in his head that he wants to do, it’ll happen and it’s testament to him that two of his greatest rivals, Kevin Schwantz and Mick Doohan will be present at the festival this year to live this dream with him. I can promise there will not be a dry-eye in the house. It’s gonna be some party.”

This year’s Festival of Speed will take place from June 23-26.