BY RICH STUELKE PHOTOS BY MOTOPHOTO LLC
track in 1971, and ran many motos there throughout the seventies until the fabled track closed its doors. Climbing astride my mighty 450KTM just before practice, I actually had butterflies from the anticipation. Would it be a disappointment, or would the rush that the original track always provided be experienced once again? One sight lap and one fast practice lap provided the answer. When the checkered flag dropped signifying the end of the practice session, I did not want to stop! A grin that must have been as wide as my helmet was pasted on my face, and the thrill of the old Carlsbad track was felt. Marc Peters did an amazing job in re- creating the past, and I knew that our club members would have only praise for this new old track! The only part of the track that was not authentic was the start, due to the gate placement (the gate is used for both the primary track and the Carlsbad Replica track). But the start is well thought out, and adds to the fun! The club ran three races, with the first race combining the Expert and Master riders. One of the fastest riders of all time at the original
W
hen the majority of the 50+ SoCal riders heard about the Peters’ takeover of the old RynoLand, there was the usual “ho, hum”
attitude. After all, we have all experienced race facilities changing owners/managers before. That attitude quickly turned to excitement and wonder when Marc Peters announced he was building a replica of the famous Carlsbad Raceway MX Track
. . . the same track we all eagerly watched on ABC’s Wide World of Sports once a year when the USGP was aired. The same track that many of us cut our teeth on when we were teenagers and in our early twenties! A couple of club members scouted out the track, and reported back that indeed, the Carlsbad track had been reborn at “The Ranch.” Our trusty VP, Kurt Sofka, Jr., had the charge of booking
an event at “The Ranch” so all the SoCal followers could experience this bit of Marc Peters developed nostalgia. November 20th
would be the chosen day.
“The Ranch” is quite a trek for many of the SoCal members, but the lure of riding the Carlsbad track and reliving some of the past brought out a good contingent of riders. This reporter had entered his very first motocross race at the original Carlsbad
36 S&S OFF ROAD MAGAZINE - JANUARY 2012 -
www.SS-OffRoadMagazine.com
John Webb #0, 80+ years old, on the Carlsbad track with Jim Lascola
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