Yorkton's own Josh Duerksen and Kennedy Lutz (pictured above) headed to Tennessee last week to compete at the prestigious Amateur National Motocross Championships held at country star Loretta Lynn's ranch July 29 - August 4. The dirt bike racers took on over 20,000 hopefuls from across North America to earn two of just 1,386 qualifying positions.
"The Amateur Nationals at Loretta Lynn's is the event every motocross racer in the country wants to compete in," said event director Tim Cotter.
This was Kennedy's third time competing at the championships, and with a placement of fifth overall in her class, she has much to be proud of. "It's really exciting, especially doing so well my first year in that age group," she says.
Both racers spent the last four months competing in area and regional qualifiers, and 2013 is the first year Josh has gotten to make the trek to Loretta Lynn's.
"It feels awesome to be one of the 42 best in my class in the world. I didn't do as well as I wanted [at Loretta Lynn's] but I'll be more prepared for next year," he says.
Kennedy Lutz, 13, started riding dirt bikes when she was 4 years old. "My dad got me started in the sport and I loved it from the start," she says. "My favourite part about racing is doing well and beating the boys," she adds laughing.
Josh Duerksen, 12, loves everything about racing. "When Kennedy's dad was selling one of her bikes, my dad bought it and got me riding. After I won a trophy at my first race, I was hooked," he says.
With the support of family and sponsors such as Schrader's and Yorkton Dodge, Kennedy and Josh are able to travel and compete nearly every weekend. Up next is Grand Nationals in Walton, Ontario this weekend.
Their next local race is scheduled for Saturday, September 14 at Millstone Raceway, just north of Yorkton on Highway 9.
