2023 Carlsbad MX Reunion Recap
| October 4, 2023
The 10th annual Carlsbad MX Reunion, hosted by Scott and Debbie Burnworth, was held in Vista, California, September 30-October 1.
This year’s gathering focused on five-time Carlsbad USGP winner Gerrit Wolsink.
Gerritt Wolsink (center) was honored at the Carlsbad Raceway Reunion. Event organizer Scott Burnworth (right) and former Suzuki tech Pat Alexander shared a moment together.
Story and Photos by Mitch Friedman
Rick Johnson was the unofficial master of ceremonies and had the crowd entertained and laughing with several stories related to the famous track near San Diego.
But the man of the hour was the “Dutch Dentist,” Wolsink. Johnson asked Wolsink why he was so fast at Carlsbad despite being from Holland and a sand specialist. Wolsink said that he knew the track was going to get hard and slippery and did everything he could to dial in his factory Suzuki for the conditions.
Several other riders who cut their racing teeth at Carlsbad attended, including Mike Tripes, Jim Holley, Jim Beachamp, Broc Glover, Gary Denton, Rex Staten, Sue Fish, Dede Cates and Lori Payne. Grant Langston and his father, Gerald, attended, as did CMC’s front man Stu Peters.
David Bailey won this Wolsink-replica helmet in an auction that was signed by the Dutch Dentist.
The event closed with an auction, which included two replica Gerrit Wolsink classic yellow and red helmets that he famously wore. David Bailey won one of the helmets, painted by Troy Lee, and Wolsink signed the helmet for Bailey.
