Penticton Speedway

• 44-year Racing History in the South Okanagan
• Locally owned and operated
• Strong Community ties
• Scholarship Fund
• Supporting Local Charities / Associations through the Penticton Speedway Foundation

If you would like more information, please contact us: pentictonspeedway17@gmail.com

Racing Award

This one has quickly become a special and emotional weekend at the Penticton Speedway. More than 70 cars are expected for the 2nd annual Young Guns Memorial Weekend, with two big cards of Dwarf, Hornet, Street Stock and Hit to Pass racing on Saturday starting at 7 p.m. and Sunday commencing at 2 p.m.
The event was introduced last Victoria Day long weekend to honour young racing enthusiasts Bobbie Wilson and Dayton Dery, who tragically lost their lives in a car accident over the 2008 Christmas holidays.

Both were just 15 at the time. The driver of the vehicle survived the crash.
Track owner Johnny Aantjes spoke fondly of both boys, particularly Wilson, who raced a Hornet car at the Speedway and worked for Aantjes at a bakery he owns in Penticton. Wilson and Dery - who had a Hit to Pass car - spent a lot of their free time at the Speedway.

"Bobbie was going to go with our family on a vacation to Mexico," said Aantjes. "Our entire family was very close to him. He lived with his grandmother and he was just a wonderful, wonderful young man. "I put him to work at the bakery and I know he really needed the money. He was my best worker and he never, ever stood me for up for a shift. I'd call and ask if he could come into work on an off-day and he never refused. I just can't say enough good things about him.
"My family, myself and the other drivers and everyone else at the track miss both these kids and it's nice to be able to honour them with this weekend of racing."

Aantjes and the Speedway count youth-oriented programs such as Kidsport, the B.C. Children's Hospital and Jump Start as their main charities. "I think it's important to provide kids with something positive to get involved in," said Aantjes. "It helps keep them going in the right direction." Since there hasn't been any racing scheduled at the Speedway since opening weekend April 25, Aantjes is anticipating a big turnout this weekend. Aantjes is expecting cars and drivers from Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and throughout the Okanagan. A special Dwarf car challenge race will also be held along with the other races. The Speedway, a quarter-mile paved oval track with plenty of seating capacity for spectators and concessions, is located just a few kilometres up Carmi Avenue in Penticton. Adult, youth-senior, family and pit passes are all available at the gate. Children age 10 and under are admitted to regular events free of charge as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

Scholarship:

• The Andy Dunseith Family Scholarship Award, Presented By the Penticton Speedway

• Value of Award: $500.00

• This Scholarship is presented by the Penticton Speedway in Honour of the Andy Dunseith Family for years of commitment to Oval Track Racing in the Okanagan.
• Available to Princess Margaret and Penticton Secondary Students in their graduating year who will be enrolled full-time in a Canadian university or college in the Fall 2010 academic term.
• Students meeting the below criteria will be considered:
• High academic standing and promise.
• Noteworthy participation in extra-curricular activities in school, sports (preference to Hockey and/or Motorsports) and community (volunteering and/or community service).
• Leadership qualities and strength of character.
• Financial need and/or effort towards contributing financially by working part-time/full-time while continuing their education to be considered.

Local Charities / Associations