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Young racer receives memorial award

Dakota Lyons of Summerland is the recipient of the Bobbie Wilson Young Drivers Award
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DAKOTA LYONS

A young Summerland driver was surprised to receive a memorial award at the Penticton Speedway on May 21.

Dakota Lyons, 15,  was the recipient of the Bobbie Wilson Young Drivers Award during the Young Guns Memorial Weekend.

The Summerland driver has been racing for four years, three in the hornet class and this is his rookie year in the street stock class. He currently sits fourth in the standings.

The award is given to a young, aspiring driver who is heavily involved in their vehicle. The event was introduced in 2009 to honour young racing enthusiasts Bobbie Wilson and Datyon Dery who both died in a car accident in 2008 at the age of 15.

“(Wilson and Dery), they were always up there, getting involved,” Lyons said. “It was a great honour, it honestly caught me by surprise. I wasn’t aware they were presenting it right then and there. It’s a real honour to receive it.”

There will be an award presentation on August long weekend during the Gordie Mannes Memorial Weekend at the Speedway, which Lyons said he is looking forward to.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had an award presented to me at a race,” Lyons said.

Lyons is still working out the kinks with his new car, but said he had a good time racing over the May long weekend.

“We’re still setting up the car, it’s a new car, and getting all the bugs worked out, but we’re getting it dialed in,” Lyons said.

He has been racing as far back as he can remember, attending the Speedway with his family a lot before his dad surprised him with his first hornet car.

“It was always natural for me. My family is involved in cars a lot so I was driving for years before,” Lyons said.

He enjoys his time at the Speedway, noting the community spirit he experiences when there.

“The whole track and everybody at the track is a big community and family. It’s always just a fun time, something to do, to keep you busy and work towards,” Lyons said.

He hopes to continue driving, saving up to build his own car and race with B.C.’s top drivers.