Rich Arnaiz was a TT specialist in AMA Grand National racing during the early 1980s, when he decided to make the move to Superbike racing in 1986. This is a photo of Arnaiz very early in his Superbike career racing a Yamaha FZ750 Superbike at Loudon in June of 1986. Arnaiz proved to be a quick learner on Superbikes. He scored three top-10 finishes in his rookie Superbike season, but he got beat out for Superbike Rookie of the Year by Nigel Gale. Four years later Arnaiz found himself racing overseas for Team Rumi Honda, where he won the European Road Racing Championship.

Rich Arnaiz brushes close to the pit wall at Bryar Motorsports Park in Loudon during the Loudon AMA Superbike race in June of 1986. (Larry Lawrence photo)