Local nine-year-old qualifies for big race

WALTON, ONT. – Pictou County’s Luke Penney just made his motocross dream come true. The nine-year-old dirt bike racer has qualified for the largest amateur motocross race in Canada, the 21st annual Parts Canada TransCan at Walton Raceway, taking on the best in Canada to earn a coveted qualifying spot.
The week-long festival brings over 1,000 riders and their families across borders and across the country to compete for the national awards.
Many of Canada’s top professional racers started out as amateur competitors at the TransCan. Past amateur winners include Dusty Klatt, Marco Dubé, Colton Facciotti, Darcy Lange, Tyler Medaglia, Jeremy Medaglia, Kyle Beaton, Cole Thompson and Heidi Cooke.
Many prominent American racers have also made the trip north to compete including Travis Pastrana, Josh Woods, Bobby Kiniry, Jason Lawrence, Randy Valade and Sarah Whitmore.
Penney has been riding since he was four years old.
With the help of local sponsors that help pay his way to the races, Penney has had the opportunity to pursue the motocross sport.
He has won more than 50 races in the last five years and competes nearly every weekend at Mount Thom MX.
Penney will make the long journey to Walton along with his parents, brother, and best friend for the races from Aug. 15 to 19.
The Walton event has earned a reputation as the premiere amateur motocross event in Canada. With four days of amateur racing, the TransCan concludes with the final round of the CMRC Nationals where amateur racers can watch the best in the business compete for the Canadian championship in the MX1 and MX2 classes.
The week-long celebration of motocross offers many family-focused activities including a Friday night concert with country artist Jason Blaine, a track-building contest for kids, bingo, a pit party with the Nation’s top pros, and an on-site bicycle pump track and mountain bike trail network.