Wayne is the near improbable true story of 1987 World Motorcycle Champion Wayne Gardner’s triumphant journey from riding a $5 dirt bike to the summit of his global sport.
Hailing from the working-class town of Wollongong in Australia, Wayne Gardner quickly excels in local motorcycle racing. After dropping out of high school and being fired from his apprenticeship, Wayne must rely on his dogged determination to fulfill his dream.
Against all odds,
Wayne wins his first race and permanently stamps his name on international motorcycle racing. With his girlfriend Donna at his side, Wayne climbs the ranks of Grand Prix motorcycle racing quickly.
But along with the fame and fortune comes tragedy and trauma and in the sophisticated world of Grand Prix, Wayne clashes with riders who are more calculated and refined than the larrikin kid from Wollongong.
In 1987 he fulfils his lifelong dream of becoming 500cc World Champion, however, his good fortune does not last long. Honda redesigns his championship winning bike and Wayne quickly learns it is rife with mechanical problems.
Things go from bad to worse when Honda signs Wayne’s arch nemesis, Yamaha rider Eddie Lawson, behind his back. Wayne is devastated by what he perceives as Honda’s betrayal.
At the inaugural Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island the odds are stacked against him, but that’s when he performs his best.
With a roaring crowd of one hundred thousand urging him on, Wayne triumphantly wins the race and hearts of all Australians that day.
Production credits: A GFC/Fightertown Australia production. Major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the New Zealand Film Commission. Director: Jeremy Sims. Producers: Matthew Metcalfe and Fraser Brown. Writers: Jeremy Sims, Matthew Metcalfe and Tim Woodhouse.
