Wayne Gardner Released from Custody in Japan After Road Rage Incident
Motorcycle racing icon Wayne Gardner has returned to Australia after being detained in Japan for nearly two weeks. Gardner, the 57-year-old former 500cc world champion, landed in Sydney today, visibly relieved to be back on home soil. His detainment followed an alleged road rage incident in Tokyo, which he described as an “extremely distressing” ordeal.
Gardner’s ordeal began earlier this month at the Japanese Motorcycle Grand Prix. According to reports, the incident occurred when Gardner’s hire car was involved in a minor collision with a van. The vehicle, driven by two Tokyo men and one of their teenage sons, was reportedly clipped by Gardner’s car near the Twin Ring Motegi circuit. This seemingly minor accident escalated into a confrontation, resulting in Gardner’s arrest.
Gardner was accused of assaulting the three men, an allegation he disputes. He described the episode as a “misunderstanding,” asserting that the legal process he faced was both “harrowing” and “unjust.” Speaking to the media upon his return, Gardner criticized the Japanese legal system, stating, “It’s a stupid system” and lamented the lengthy period he was held without formal charges. He revealed that he paid a fine of 300,000 yen (approximately AU$3000) and admitted guilt to secure his release, a process he found deeply frustrating.
Despite the severity of the situation, Gardner maintained a defiant attitude, accusing his alleged victims of attempting to extort money from him. He referred to them disparagingly as “the three Pinocchios” due to what he described as their changing stories. “It was a waste of time and resources over something that could have been resolved through discussion,” he said.
Gardner’s time in detention was reportedly challenging. He was held in a police cell in Shimotsuke, a city about 100 kilometers from Tokyo, where he faced daily interviews from the police. Though limited in visitation, he received support from the Moriwaki Engineering motorcycle team, who described him as part of their “family.”
During his detention, Gardner missed several races involving his son, Remy Gardner, a competitor in the Moto2 class. The elder Gardner expressed regret over this missed opportunity to support his son, who was also briefly detained for a driving license violation related to the same incident. Despite these challenges, Remy Gardner was able to continue his racing commitments, participating in the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix as planned.
Reflecting on his release, Wayne Gardner noted, “I am happy to get out of there. It was the worst and longest 12 days of my life.” Now back in Sydney, Gardner plans to spend a week with his parents before returning to his home in Spain.
The incident has cast a shadow over Gardner’s visit to Japan, which was initially intended to support his son’s racing career. As he adjusts to being back in Australia, Gardner remains hopeful that this difficult chapter will soon be behind him, allowing him to focus on family and future endeavors.
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