Crash Chronicles: Kenny Foray | Misano 2019

This one is abit of a throwback, but it stands out as one of the earliest examples of an airbag suit preventing a rider from suffering a major injury. Below we’ll take a closer look at the crash itself, the conditions that led to it, and how Kenny managed to avoid serious injury.

The Track: Misano World Circuit

The Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, located on Italy’s picturesque Adriatic coast, is a track well-known in the world of racing. With its technical layout of fast straights, tight corners, and sweeping curves, Misano challenges riders to balance speed and precision at every turn. The circuit has a unique character due to its varied rhythm—riders go from full-throttle straights into demanding, sharp turns, making concentration and control paramount.

Back in 2019, the Moto E Championship was in its inaugural season, and riders were grappling with the nuances of electric motorcycles—machines that are heavier and require a different riding style compared to their combustion-engine counterparts. Misano, known for pushing riders to their limits, would prove to be a crucial test for Kenny Foray and his competitors.

The Crash: A High-G Impact

Kenny Foray’s crash occurred during the 2019 Moto E race at Misano, in a season where the electric class was gaining momentum and drawing attention from around the world. Electric bikes, with their near-instant torque delivery and different handling characteristics, required riders to adapt quickly, and Kenny was no exception. During the race, Kenny was pushing hard to keep pace with the front-runners, but as with many incidents in motorcycle racing, a small technical misstep can escalate quickly.

While coming out of one of Misano’s faster corners, Foray lost control of his bike—a result of the balance between throttle control and the unique torque curve of the electric motor. At that moment, the rear wheel lost grip, causing a slide that sent the bike sideways. Before he could recover, the bike had gripped the asphalt and launched Kenny skyward in one the largest high-sides seen in recent motorcycle racing.

What made this crash particularly dangerous was the immense force generated by the sudden loss and regain of grip. Kenny Foray experienced a staggering 27.5 g-force during the crash—a measure of the intense pressure his body endured upon impact. To put that into perspective, the human body typically starts experiencing serious risk of injury at around 18-20 g. At 27.5 g, Foray’s crash was well beyond that threshold, making his minimal injuries even more remarkable.

The weight and unpredictability of the Moto E bikes further complicated the crash. Electric motorcycles are heavier than traditional MotoGP or Superbikes bikes due to their large battery packs, and when they go down, the impact is more forceful and the slides can be longer. In Kenny’s case, the combination of speed, the high g-force, and the heavy bike led to a hard fall that could have easily resulted in serious injury.

The Aftermath

Despite the violence of the crash, Kenny Foray was able to walk away with relatively minor injuries. But as any racer will tell you, crashes are not only physically challenging—they take a toll mentally as well. Foray later reflected on the crash, admitting that while he was fortunate to avoid serious harm, it was a reminder of the fine line every rider walks between pushing for victory and risking disaster.

For a seasoned rider like Foray, recovering from a crash is not just about healing the body, but also regaining the confidence needed to push the limits again. The 2019 season was a learning curve for all riders in the Moto E Championship, as they adapted to the nuances of electric racing. For Kenny, the Misano crash was a pivotal moment in his career, testing his resilience and determination to compete at the highest level.

The Suit: Advanced Safety in Action

One of the factors that allowed Kenny to escape serious injury was the advanced protective gear he was wearing at the time. Elite-level racers always use state-of-the-art racing suits that combine lightweight materials with built-in safety technology to minimise the impact of a crash. In Kenny’s case, his RST leathers were equipped with the in&motion airbag technology (mandatory in MotoGP/E classes), designed to inflate and protect vital areas such as the neck, shoulders, and chest within milliseconds of a crash.

This airbag system is one of the most significant advancements in rider safety in recent years, and it played a crucial role in preventing what could have been much worse injuries for Kenny. With the high-violence of the crash, subsequent fall and the extreme g-force, the system deployed quickly, cushioning the impact and reducing the forces his body experienced.

In addition to the airbag, the racing suit itself was made of high-performance materials including kangaroo leather, which offers superior abrasion resistance without the weight of traditional leather. This meant that while Kenny slid across the Misano asphalt, the suit was able to absorb much of the friction, preventing serious burns or abrasions.

The best bit about all of this? You can buy the exact same suit. We use the same design, construction and technology in our standard v4.1 Airbag Suit. More information below;

V4.1 AIRBAG SUIT

The V4.1 EVO is a top of the range full Factory race suit identical to that used by RST’s pros around the world. Constructed with a 60/40 split of the highest quality Kangaroo and Grade A Cowhide and reinforced with aramid fibres, the V4.1 EVO offers you the ultimate in comfort and protection. The V4.1 EVO is a more advanced suit than the previous V4.1 as the suit has been upgraded with additional external protection.

Kenny Foray’s 2019 crash at Misano is a testament to both the risks and rewards of high-level motorcycle racing. For riders like Foray, pushing the limits of what’s possible on two wheels comes with an inherent danger, but it’s a risk they’re willing to take for the thrill of competition and the pursuit of victory.

Fortunately, with the advances in safety gear—such as the airbag system in his racing suit—riders are better protected than ever before. Foray’s experience at Misano, while dramatic, underscores the importance of this technology in keeping riders safe, allowing them to continue doing what they love with a greater sense of security.

Though Kenny Foray eventually moved away from Moto E, focusing more on endurance racing, his 2019 crash remains an important chapter in his racing career. It’s a reminder that in the world of motorsport, where speed and danger go hand in hand, the right gear can make all the difference.

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