Eleven-year-old Kennedy Lutz is getting the opportunity to do something that not many kids her age get to do.
She will be continuing her tour of American cities when she, her dad and younger sister head out on the road, destination Tennessee.
Lutz, who was among the local talent competing at the provincial MX (motocross) race held this past Sunday at the Millstone Raceway and had a first-place finish and a second-place finish in two different categories.
"It was good racing," she said after completing her final run of the day just before 5 p.m.
The low-keyed 11-year-old had done well but seemed like something else was in the back of her mind as she performed some post-race ritual, including trading in her MX race boots for some flip flops.
She is an ultra-competitive girl and she just finished a strong showing on her home track.
"I'm not trying to win anything," she told the paper.
She's competed in parts of Alberta and had raced far down south in the Lone Star State of Texas, now she is getting set for what should no doubt be her biggest competition of her life; the Red Bull AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Tennessee.
The Loretta Lynn's race, which was founded in 1982 at the home of country music icon Loretta Lynn, will celebrate its 30th Anniversary this summer. As the most prestigious amateur motocross race in the world, Loretta Lynn's serves as the last step in the graduation of young athletes to the professional ranks of AMA Motocross and Supercross.
"You have to qualify in the area," said Lutz after her day at the Yorkton race was done.
Lutz said she's looking forward to doing "battle" with another young girl who is the same age as she is. Lutz said she is also looking forward to getting back down to the USA, where she said the competition is "much better" and "more competitive".
Her father, Ken, said some racers from Canada head down to competition in the USA and think they will be able to handle themselves, not always the case, he warns.
"You can come from here and think you're good" he says.
He added that he took his daughter down to Texas back in March to practice.
"It won't be easy," he closes with a smile.
A lot of kids just go and some are just happy simply to be there, he points out.
