Gerrit Wolsink

Gerrit Wolsink
Wolsink in 1979
NationalityDutch
Born3 March 1947 (1947-03-03) (age 77)
Hengelo, Gelderland, Netherlands
Motocross career
Years active1970-1981
TeamsSuzuki
Wins14

Gerrit Wolsink (born 3 March 1947) is a Dutch former professional Grand Prix motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1970 to 1981. Wolsink was one of the top competitors in the 500cc Motocross World Championships, placing as the runner-up twice along with two third-place finishes. Wolsink is notable for being a five-time winner of the 500cc United States Grand Prix of motocross.[1][2]

Motocross career

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Born in Hengelo, Gelderland, Wolsink was a dentist by training but, chose a career in motorcycle racing.[2] He began competing on the Grand Prix motocross circuit in 1970 as a privateer on a Maico motorcycle. In 1974 he was contracted ride for the Suzuki factory racing team as Roger De Coster's teammate. He finished third in the 500cc world championship in 1975 and 1977 and second in 1976 and 1979.[3]

In 1979 he was the double for Rutger Hauer in the motocross scenes in the Paul Verhoeven film Spetters.[4] Wolsink also competed in enduro events and was a member of the winning Dutch team at the 1984 International Six Days Enduro.[5]

References

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  1. ^ American Motorcyclist, September 1976, Vol. 30, No. 9, ISSN 0277-9358
  2. ^ a b "Carlsbad's Last Motocross Grand Prix Is Today : Raceway Where the Sport Developed Has Produced Its Share of Memories". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  3. ^ Gerrit Wolsink career profile
  4. ^ "Spetters (1980) Cast & Crew". imdb.com. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  5. ^ Van Voorhis, Gary (1985). ISDE: Six Days of Frustration. Retrieved 28 February 2019. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)