British Youth Championship – Kent Report

KENT hosted the second standalone British Youth Championship round of 2025, and as with the Leicester meeting earlier in the season, what a fantastic event it was with 31 heats being ran in two and half hours, and it was a credit to all the young riders and their families for running such a smooth event.

In the 500cc class, with the previous series leader Jamie Etherington missing this round due to suffering from a broken arm earlier in the week, Cooper Rushen dominated with a sensational 12 point maximum in the heats and making no mistake in the final and winning his first 500cc British Youth Championship Round.

Ryan Ingram claimed the runners up spot in this round to take over the series lead, and Charlie Southwick got a second chance at the final having initially missing out, but got a reprieve as Dylan Huthwaite was unable to take his place in the final due to mechanical issues.

Harry Fletcher completed the final four and although missed out on a rostrum place this time was awarded the ‘Try Speedway’ Rider of the Day for his efforts and entertainment during the whole event. 

As expected, the 250cc class was the most competitive and if Rushen dominated the 500cc class then Seth Norman did the same in the Qualifying heats, and had first pick of the gates for final having completed a 12 point maximum himself.

Norman might be kicking himself as he chose gate 2 in the final which gave previous round winner Casper Kluczniak the inside gate and this prove vital during the final heat.

Norman and Kluczniak clashed going into the first corner on the first running of the Final which saw Norman come down, however the referee put all four back for the re-run.

In the rerun Norman and Kluczniak were side by side for the first two laps until after lap two Norman came down entering the first corner when under pressure from Kluczniak, although on this occasion the Referee said no contact was made and Norman was disqualified from the third running of this heat.

Kluczniak made no mistake third time around, and although Ollie Binns kept Kluczniak honest for the whole four laps Kluczniak went on to claim his second British Youth Championship win of the season and lead the series, with Binns in second and Emerson Betty making his first rostrum in third.

The 125cc class was won by Lewis Hague who got the better of Fraser Buckle and home favourite Oscar Berwick, with Douglas Marshall winning his first British Youth Championship round in the 125cc Support class with Callum Hague and Ella Marshall also making the rostrum.

Our thanks again to the promotion of Kent Eagles, and all of our Series sponors

Kent Championship Scores –

500cc – Cooper Rushen 18 Championship Points, Ryan Ingram 16, Charlie Southwick 14, Harry Fletcher 12, Dylan Huthwaite 11, Tia May Brant 10

250cc – Casper Kluczniak 18 Championship Points , Ollie Binns 16, Emerson Betty 14, Seth Norman 12, Oli Bovingdon 11, Jayden Bailey 10, Archie Rolph 9, Kayden Mundy 8, Demi Blu Harris 7, Finley Theobald 6

125cc – Lewis Hague 18 Championship Points, Fraser Buckle 16, Oscar Berwick 14, Charlie Fletcher 12, Rex Austin 11

125cc Support – Douglas Marshall 18 Championship Points, Callum Hague 16, Ella Marshall 14, Seb Kelly 12, Cody Smith 11, Jessica Cox 10.