Press Release | May 16, 2024
Robert Reisinger, a former AMA professional racer and Kawasaki test rider, suffered severe injuries during a race at Glen Helen Raceway on May 4, 2024. Road 2 Recovery Foundation has opened a Cause Page for Reisinger.
This is a press release from R2R…
Poway, CA (May 15, 2024) – On May 4, 2024, Robert Reisinger, a former AMA professional racer and Kawasaki test rider, suffered severe injuries during a race at Glen Helen Raceway. In the 4th lap of his first moto, Robert was in second place when he noticed a lapper coming into view. To avoid the lapper, Robert moved to the far left and put his wheels in loose dirt, causing him to swap back and forth violently. Robert was thrown off his bike face first at approximately 50 MPH. The impact of the crash caused his helmet strap to constrict around his neck, exacerbating his distress. Despite the removal of the strap, Robert remained in critical condition, ceasing to breathe. Richard Hurtado, a fellow racer and a 29-year veteran paramedic of the fire department, initiated CPR, persisting until Robert’s heartbeat and breathing were restored. First responders arrived quickly and transported him to the nearby Level 1 Trauma Center.
Robert is currently hospitalized with a fractured C2, spinal cord compression, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). On May 6, he underwent a C2 fusion, laminectomy, and spinal cord decompression, followed by a tracheostomy on May 7. Presently, he is paralyzed from the neck down, including his diaphragm, necessitating ventilation support.
The outlook for Robert’s recovery remains uncertain, given the severity of his injuries. His family remains optimistic, hoping for Robert to eventually transition off the ventilator and transfer to an in-patient rehabilitation facility.
Robert is a very loved and integral part of the moto community. Robert founded Mountain Cycle and Pro Stop shortly after graduating from Cal Poly SLO, with a degree in manufacturing engineering. He is most recently known as the co-founder of the revolutionary 6D Helmets, and presently consults on future products. For the past 10+ years, Robert has spent most of his weekends racing at Glen Helen, often accompanied by his son, Nick. The Reisinger family was looking forward to taking a 10-day Mediterranean cruise in June, celebrating Nick’s graduation from high school.
The Reisinger family extends heartfelt gratitude to Richard Hurtado and all those who played a pivotal role in saving Robert’s life. They are overwhelmed by the immense outpouring of love and support received. Your positive thoughts, prayers, and contributions are profoundly appreciated.
If you’re able to offer support during Robert’s recovery journey, please consider making a donation through Robert’s R2R Cause Page (here). Your contributions will play a crucial role in supporting his rehabilitation efforts and ensuring he is able to put all of his efforts towards his recovery journey. Additionally, messages of hope and healing are greatly appreciated and warmly welcomed.
For more information on how to support Robert Reisinger, please visit https://www.road2recovery.com/athlete-causes/robert-reisinger/