Australian motorcycling great Wayne Gardner has returned to Sydney after spending 12 days behind bars in Japan over a road rage incident.
The 57-year-old was involved in a minor car accident and scuffle in Motegi on October 16 as he arrived for the Japanese MotoGP in a vehicle driven by his 18-year-old son Remy.
Mr Gardner said he was cut off form contacting his family while he was detained and given no news about his son, who competes on the Moto2 class world circuit with Tasca Racing Scuderia.
"It was horrendous. I never want to do that again," he told reporters at Sydney airport on Saturday.
"To cut you off in communication when your son's racing and they won't tell you where he is or how he's gone, has he crashed ... it's horrendous how they treat you."
He was at the grand prix to support his son who was riding in the event.
The bingle was alleged to have turned violent and he was taken to jail in Shimotsuke, 100km north of Tokyo, where he was questioned by police almost daily.
After paying a $A3000 fine for his release, he arrived back in Sydney to visit his parents who had been upset by the incident.
He said he was offered little assistance by Australian consular officials, describing their aid as "very small, not much".
He said he had been concerned about his son and was disappointed at having to miss two of his races.
"I'm speechless about the whole thing, annoyed. I'm very relieved to see you guys," Gardner said.
While upset he said he had no plans to take the issue further.
