YoungLions

British Youth Championship dates have been confirmed for six of the nine tracks who will be staging rounds this season.

The title race in all categories will start and end at Glasgow, whilst the rounds at Belle Vue and Workington will be split over two meetings.

British Youth boss Neil  Vatcher said: “Due to other fixtures in the higher leagues only just being confirmed, this winter we have had to be patient with our announcement.

“I know riders and parents involved in the Youth Championship have been keen for us to confirm the dates and the venues as soon as we had them.

“There is still Redcar, Leicester and Oxford to confirm their dates; however, I’m pleased to be able to confirm six out of the nine venues.”

BRITISH YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP 2026: Glasgow – Sunday April 12; Buxton – Sunday May 3; Workington – Saturday May 9 (500cc/250cc); Belle Vue – Sunday May 10 (500cc/250cc); Belle Vue – Sunday July 19 (125cc); Workington – Sunday August 2 (125cc); Edinburgh – Saturday September 12; Glasgow – Sunday September 13. TBC: Redcar, Leicester, Oxford.

Image Credit Ian Charles

The Young Lions held a successful two-day training camp at Glasgow earlier this week for 25 riders who will be competing in this year’s British Youth Championship across the three classes of 500cc, 250cc and 125cc.

British Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “Conditions were cold of course, being in Glasgow in the middle of February, and the track had received a lot of rain over the weekend prior to the training camp.

“But as always the Glasgow track staff did a fantastic job on the track, which enabled all riders to do start practice on day one, and a full day of track work on day two.

“As well as the track work, which of course was all riders’ favourite part of the camp, also plenty of knowledge was gained not by just the riders but by the parents as well with a classroom session discussing numerous subjects such as bike set-up and pre-meeting preparation.

“Fitness coach James Luckman was also in attendance discussing fitness regimes and putting the riders through their paces, as well as expert on and off track advice over the two days from both Tom Brennan and Leon Flint passing on valuable knowledge of track skills and having the correct mindsets.

“This was another great start to the year for the riders who were able to attend, and sets them up nicely for what looks to be a busy year for the Young Lions, who hope to hold a minimum of nine Youth Championship rounds across the season.”

The Young Lions would like to thank Tom, Leon and Allied Mobility and the Glasgow club and their staff who all worked extremely hard for their support in hosting the camp over the two days.

The Young Lions will now be working with the clubs who will be hosting rounds of the British Youth Championship in 2026 to announce some dates over the next couple of weeks.

Image credits: Taylor Lanning

Redcar will complete a spectacular weekend of racing with the British Under-21 Final at the ECCO Arena on Sunday June 7 (7.30pm).

The major national event featuring all of Great Britain’s top youngsters will take place immediately following the two-day FIM Grand Prix of Manchester at Belle Vue on the Friday and Saturday.

A new British Under-21 Champion will be crowned as Sam Hagon, who triumphed at Glasgow in 2024 and 2025, is now outside the age range to compete.

Last year’s third place finisher Luke Harrison and fellow finalist Will Cairns are included in the list of eight seeded riders, which have been compiled on the basis of Championship averages from last season.

Home duo Ace Pijper and Jody Scott are also confirmed starters along with Ben Trigger who will be racing for Middlesbrough in the NDL, with the seeds completed by Luke Killeen, Vinnie Foord and Freddy Hodder.

The remaining eight places will be determined by the results of the Qualifier which is due to take place at Leicester on a date to be confirmed.

Glasgow Speedway host the Young Lions over the next two days (Monday February 16 and Tuesday February 17) for a pre-season training camp for over twenty riders who will be competing in this year’s British Youth Championship.

Former British Youth Champions Tom Brennan and Leon Flint will be in attendance to provide the riders tips and advice not only on track, but also through classroom sessions, where discussions regarding fitness, nutrition and bike preparation will also be taking place.

The Young Lions would like to thank Glasgow Tigers Speedway for hosting the event, as well as our series partners Allied Mobility, Nuneaton Speedway Supporters Club, Wessex Marine, Northern Scaffolding Solutions, Royle T Racing, Rentruck, Friends of Speedway, Ignite Insurance Brokers, HG Aerospace, Europress Peterborough and Arnie Gibbons for their continued support. 

Ahead of the 2026 Speedway season, the Young Lions are delighted to confirm the riders who will be competing in this season’s British Youth Championship.

British Youth boss Neil Vatcher commented “It’s another great turnout of riders, with a whole host of new 125cc riders which is really exciting and we cannot wait for the season to start. The clubs this season have really got on board with The British Youth Championship again, and all being well we will be running a minimum of 9 rounds.”

The confirmed list of riders across the classes are shown below. If any riders are currently not listed and would like to be included, please contact Neil via email: neil@scbgb.co.uk

2) Emerson Betty, 3) Archie Rolph, 4) Finley Theobald, 6) Seth Norman, 7) Rocco Webb, 8) Kayden Mundy, 12) Ella Marshall,13) John Cox, 14) Kane Newby, 15) Oliver Bovingdon, 19) Dylan Huthwaite, 22) Demi Blu Harris, 23) Harry Fletcher, 44) Charlie Southwick, 51) Liam Morris, 54) Albie South, 57) Seb Kelly, 61) Jessica Cox, 68) Oscar Berwick, 83) George Climo,91) Ollie Binns, 99) Douglas Marshall, 123) Charlie Fletcher, 159) Stene Pijper, 162) Cody Smith, 183) Cody Evans, 222) Jayden Bailey, 247) Junior Travers, 322) Lewis Hague, 343) Erza Fisher, 367) Charlie Luckman, 505) Casper Kluczniak, 555) Fraser Buckle, 809) Callum Hague, 917) Ruben Courtney, 991) Rex Austin.

Any companies or individuals who would like to support the British Youth Championship and become a partner of the Young Lions, are also asked to contact Neil Vatcher by email at neil@scbgb.co.uk

Image credit: Brett Thurlow

The Young Lions have kindly been donated the 2024 and 2025 British Final Race Jackets signed by all 18 riders, which we are auctioning with all proceeds going towards supporting the Young Lions across the 2026 season.  Bids start at £120 for each Race Jacket.

For anyone interested in owning these unique items, please e-mail neil@scbgb.co.uk stating which jacket and your bid. Bids close on Tuesday February the 10th

Our thanks for your support.

A selection of images from the Young Lions Celebration of Speedway images.

Our thanks as ever to the NSSC for hosting and to Ian Brannan for presenting.

Image credit: Jeff Davies

Group shot images:

Charlie Southwick (3rd in 500cc), Ryan Ingram (2nd in 500cc), Luke Harrison (U19 Champ), Cooper Rushen (500cc Champ), Sam Hagon (U21 Champ), Oliver Bodingdon (2nd in 250cc), Sitting, Archie Rolph (3rd 250cc), Fraser Buckle (2nd in 125cc), Demi Buy Harris (FIM Woman’s 250cc Gold Trophy)

The 2026 British Youth Championship is set to visit eight tracks, with an expanded nine-round series planned.

Glasgow are to stage two rounds of the series, which is split into separate 500cc, 250cc and 125cc categories to cater for the various age and experience ranges of the competitors.

Belle Vue, Buxton, Edinburgh, Leicester, Oxford, Redcar and Workington have also been announced as staging venues this year. Dates for the meetings are to be confirmed.

Meanwhile an impressive total of 31 British Youth riders have been signed up for the pre-season training camp at Glasgow on February 16/17, where they will receive expert tuition from Tom Brennan and Leon Flint.

The Young Lions host their annual Celebration of British Speedway event at the Nuneaton Speedway Supporters Club venue in Coventry this evening  where the Presentations will also take place for the 2025 British Youth Championship 500cc and 250cc classes.

BSN presenter Ian Brannan hosts the events where 2025 British Champions will be in attendance Under 21 Sam Hagon, Under 19 Luke Harrison and British Youth 500cc Cooper Rushen, as well as a several riders who competed in the British Youth Championship in 2025.

Announcements will be made for venues for 2026 British Youth events including Under 21 and Under 19s.

Discussion regards the upcoming British Youth Training Camp taking place at Glasgow and a few surprises along the way including special raffle prizes and a race jacket auction.

All British Youth Riders and their families welcome to attend for a 7pm start

Venue: The Brandon Club, Main Street, Brandon, Coventry, CV8 3HW

The Young Lions are pleased to announce a two-day pre-season Training Camp will take place at Glasgow in association with Allied Mobility next month.

The event will be held during the half-term school holidays on Monday February 16 and Tuesday February 17, and will be open to all riders eligible to take part in the 2026 British Youth Championship.

British Youth boss Neil Vatcher said: “Traditionally with the support of our valuable sponsors we have been able to hold these training camps over the last few years, with successful camps taking place at Workington in both 2024 and 2025.

“This year we have support from Allied Mobility, which is fantastic and as with all our sponsors we appreciate their support, and therefore the venue for 2026 has changed to Glasgow.

“We appreciate it is early in the year to venture to Scotland, and we all know we will need to wrap up to keep warm, but hopefully we will be lucky with no rain, and we also know that the Glasgow track staff are among the best in the country, so I’m sure we will be fine to get some early laps in.”

Further details on the camp, and confirmation of the coaches in attendance, will be announced at the Young Lions Presentation evening hosted by Nuneaton Speedway Supporters Club in Coventry on January 24, where all 2025 and 2026 British Youth Championship riders and their families are welcome to attend.

Riders who would like to register for the Training Camp in February are asked to email neil@scbgb.co.uk .