Jody Scott wins British Under-19 Final with immaculate performance at Plymouth

REAL MINI COMPANY Oxford Chargers’ skipper Jody Scott was a deserving winner of the British Under-19 Championship, after scoring a full 15-point-maximum at Plymouth last night (Saturday).

It was the second piece of silverware won by Oxford Speedway this season, following Sam Masters and Anders Rowe winning the Championship Best Pairs at the start of the month.

Scott finished third in the British Under-19 Final at Oxford in 2024 and was second at Workington last season. This year was his last chance to win the title and was determined to bow out with a victory in the competition.

It soon became apparent the meeting would be settled between the four riders who compete in the top level of British Speedway in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

Drizzle for much of the evening affected racing on the smallest speedway track in the UK, and passing was at an absolute premium. In Heat 8, Scott was second behind William Cairns, but burst around his opponent on one wheel in a spectacular move on the back straight of the second lap. Following an opening win in Heat 2, that moved Scott to an unbeaten six points, along with Cooper Rushen and defending champion Luke Harrison.

Scott met Harrison in Heat 11 and led him all the way, and a further win in Heat 14 made it four wins out of win.

Both Scott and Rushen were unbeaten heading into the decisive Heat 17. Scott flew from the start from gate two and moved over to block any outside run from Rushen (gate three). That left him with a decent lead. A couple of times, Scott was perilously to the fence on the exit of the fourth bend, but he continued to charge and not let Rushen any way back into the race. A delighted Scott celebrated as he crossed the finishing line to win both the race and the championship.

Scott prevented Rushen the double of winning the British Under-21 and British Under-19 titles in the same season. Their finishing positions were reversed in the British Under-21 Final at Redcar in June.

19-year-old Scott finished on 15 points, ahead of Rushen (14), Harrison (13) and Cairns (12).

As well as riding for Chargers in the WSRA National League, Scott also rides for Redcar in the Cab Direct Championship and King’s Lynn in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership. He leads the averages in the WSRA National League. He has won the league title twice with Chargers in 2023 and 2025 and was skipper in the latter season. Last year’s victory was the biggest individual success of his career.

British Under-19 Champion Jody Scott said: “After finishing third and second in the competition for the last two years – and also second in this year’s British Under-21 Final at Redcar – it’s unreal to win this meeting in my final year of being able to compete in the British Under-19 Championship.

“I was determined to win. I put everything in all night, for example in the race where I had to overtake William Cairns [Heat 8].

“Going into my final ride [Heat 17], I knew it was between me and Cooper Rushen and that race was the decider. We both ride for King’s Lynn in the Premiership, so we know each other well. Once I got in front, I needed to stay there.

“It’s amazing to be crowned British Under-19 Champion. I can’t thank my pit crew enough for all the hard work on the bikes tonight. Also, a huge thanks to all of my sponsors who continue to back me and support me.

“I ride at all three levels of British Speedway and it’s great to win this for all three of my clubs.

“As for Oxford, I’m looking forward to bringing the trophy back home in the next meeting when the Chargers are riding Edinburgh.”

Two other Chargers were on display at Plymouth. Ashton Vale was easily the pick of the riders not in either the Premiership or Championship, finishing in seventh place on nine points. 18-year-old Vale has one more year in the competition next season.

16-year-old Harry Fletcher had an eventful evening and was in the thick of the action. He hit the deck three times, and suffered two exclusions, but continued to give his all on his way to three points.

Both Casper Kluczniak and Emerson Betty have rode recently rode for Chargers as unattached riders. They scored three and one points respectively.

The next meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium is on Sunday, September 27 in a late afternoon meeting that starts at 5pm, when Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers – complete with Jody Scott – take on newly-crowned champions Edinburgh Monarchs Academy in the WSRA National League. Tickets are already on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

BRITISH UNDER-19 FINAL, Plymouth
Jody Scott 15, Cooper Rushen 14, Luke Harrison 13, Will Cairns 12, Ryan Ingram 10, Jordy Loftus 10, Ashton Vale 9, Seth Norman 5, Charlie Southwick 5, Ollie Binns 5, Stene Pijper 4, Liam Greens 4, Casper Kluczniak 3, Harry Fletcher 3, Kayden Mundy 3 (reserve), Emerson Betty 1, Anika Loftus 1.

PHOTO: British Under-19 Champion Jody Scott flanked by runner-up Cooper Rushen (left) and third-placed Luke Harrison (right) (pic: GB Youth Speedway)