Corner marshal killed in PBIR accident

Robert "Goofy" Hoffstetter, a longtime corner worker at Palm Beach International Raceway, died Sunday following an accident involving a motorcycle racer during the Florida Track Days event at the facility's road course.

The track reported that a rider had a stuck throttle on his Yamaha R1, and dismounted from the motorcycle before approaching Turn 9. The motorcycle continued down the track, impacting the tire wall at Turn 9 where Hoffstetter was positioned as a corner marshal. Medics and AMR staff stabilized Hoffstetter at the site, and he was then transported to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach by a Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Trauma Hawk. Hoffstetter passed away due to the injuries sustained during the accident.

Hoffstetter had been working in motorsports for more than 30 years as a corner marshal at various racing events held at PBIR and at other tracks in Florida. On the day of the accident, he was under the employment of Florida Track Days, the host of monthly events at PBIR with track sessions and instructional courses for motorcyclists. PBIR and his friends are organizing a memorial to pay tribute to Hoffstetter, his loyalty to and passion for motorsports, and his many years of dedicated service.