Rainey cruises to win

Press, 26 June 1989, Page 34

Rainey cruises to win

NZPA-Reuter Assen, Netherlands Wayne Rainey profited from mechanical failure which struck fellow American and the race leader, Kevin Schwantz, on the penultimate lap and cruised home first in the Dutch 500 cc motor-cycle grand prix on Saturday. Schwantz was aiming for a third successive world championship win when he suddenly pulled up, looking at the rear wheel of his Suzuki. Grateful Yamaha rider Rainey collected maximum points and gained a 16-point championship lead over compatriot Eddie Lawson, second on a Honda. Lawson finished about 7s adrift and was not in touch with the leading pair.

Schwantz, fastest in practice, also clocked the best lap

of two minutes 9.165. In spite of speculation that his bike had suffered a serious engine failure Schwantz’s team manager would only say there had been an ignition problem. The former world champion, Wayne Gardner, of Australia, managed sixth place in his first race since he broke a leg in a United States Grand Prix crash two months ago. “The leg was hurting a bit afterwards but we are very happy with the performance. It was better than we expected,” said Gardner’s Honda team manager, Stuart Shenton.

Gardner needed some medical attention after competing with his leg in a cast but Mr Shenton said the pain was not serious and he would contest next week-end’s Belgian Grand Prix.