Dream come true for Poole's Rushen as he lands British under-21 title

Poole Pirates youngster Cooper Rushen made his dreams a reality after bring crowned British under-21 champion at the age of just 16.

Rushen sliced through the traffic on the opening bends to hit the front in the final at Redcar on Sunday.

He then controlled the race ahead of Jody Scott and a battle for third place between Ace Pijper and fellow Pirate Will Cairns.

?? RUSHEN IS BRITISH UNDER-21 CHAMPION!

?? Congratulations to Cooper Rushen on winning the British Under-21 Championship at Redcar this afternoon.

?? Will Cairns also impressed, reaching the Final and narrowly missing out on a podium finish

??? Join us at Wimborne Road on… pic.twitter.com/g2kTmv0rJU

— Poole Pirates Speedway (@poolespeedway) June 7, 2026

That battle ended with contact on the third lap as Pijper went down under Cairns’ challenge, and the race was stopped – but with Rushen well clear heading into lap four, he was awarded the win with Scott runner-up and Pijper third with Cairns disqualified.

Speaking after securing the national title, Rushen said: “I think I’m in a dream at the minute!

“This event last year was kind of haunting me throughout the year, I had a terrible run at the qualifier and never even made it through to the final, so to get through this year was a bonus.

“Then to have a final like that, out there with some of my best mates in speedway, ripping around the boards and enjoying what we’re doing – I’m happy for myself and happy for everyone competing.”

(Picture: Taylor Lanning Photography)