Corner Worker Killed During Motorcycle Track Day At Palm Beach International Raceway

Corner Marshal Robert Hoffstetter Passes Away

Jupiter, FL – On Sunday, December 28, 2014, during the Florida Track Days event at Palm Beach International Raceway’s (PBIR) Road Course, a rider experienced a mechanical failure on his Yamaha R1 motorcycle: the throttle became stuck in the open position. The rider dismounted from the motorcycle before approaching Turn 9. The motorcycle continued down the track, impacting the tire wall at Turn 9 where Robert “Goofy” Hoffstetter was positioned as a corner marshal. Medics 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. He will be deeply missed by racers, friends, fellow corner marshals, PBIR staff, and the Florida motorsports community. 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.

ABOUT PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

Palm Beach International Raceway™ (PBIR) is a state-of-the-art, acclaimed motorsports and entertainment facility featuring a challenging 2.034-mile asphalt Road Course, an exciting 1/4-mile concrete Drag Strip, a thrilling 8/10-mile Kart Track, and a 250-foot-long Mud Bog for side-by-side drag racing. Approved for Indy Car testing, the 10-turn Road Course at PBIR consists of a 6/10-mile straightaway, 90-foot-wide flex-use area, 40- to 60-foot-wide seamless track, and a 6-degree banked corner. The Road Course welcomes world-class annual events including the Palm Beach Grand Prix. Designed by former NHRA World Champion Wayne McMurtry, the Drag Strip at PBIR hosts such premier events as the International Hot Rod Association’s Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series™, PRO Winter Warm-up, Dick Moroso Memorial 5-Day Bracket Championship, Citrus Nationals, and Super Chevy Show. Sanctioned by the World Karting Association as a Master Track, the 12-turn, 26-foot-wide Kart Track at PBIR hosts the Florida Winter Tour and conducts karting schools, training courses, 3-hour endurance races, auto crossing events, racing leagues, and “arrive & drive” programs. Driving schools, testing sessions, private rentals, and corporate team-building events are held at PBIR year-round. Founded in 1964 and acquired in 2008 by IRG Sports + Entertainment™ (IRG), PBIR underwent a $20 million remodeling including an upgraded Road Course, low-glare lighting, safety barriers, luxury chalet, VIP trailer and timing tower. Located in Jupiter, Florida, PBIR is the official home of the Palm Beach Driving Club®. IRG also owns and operates Memphis International Raceway™, Southwestern International Raceway™, Cordova International Raceway™, Maryland International Raceway™, and the International Hot Rod Association™ (IHRA). For more information, visit www.RacePBIR.com, call 561.622.1400, or send an email to[email protected].

Read more about the accident in these local news reports: