Speedway GP star Robert Lambert and British Under-21 champion Cooper Rushen have both been handed wild cards for the British Championship Final in Manchester on Saturday, August 15.
Reigning champion Lambert defends the title he won in a jaw-dropping final in 2025, which saw him take victory in a race that runner-up Charles Wright, third-placed Dan Bewley and Chris Harris in fourth all led at some stage.
The 2026 FIM SGP Challenge winner, who is currently third in the Speedway GP World Championship, can’t wait to return to the National Speedway Stadium – scene of his two FIM Speedway of Nations world title wins.
He said: “I think the final last year was one of the best races of the season, and for many years. It’s a super racetrack and I’m looking forward to coming back to Manchester. It wasn’t such a good Grand Prix there for me this year, but at the same time we can improve on that in the British Final.
“I’d love to get my name on the trophy again for sure, and that would be a great achievement. I’ll be fully focused on it, and of course I’m looking forward to racing in front of the British fans.”
Rushen is in only his first season as a professional speedway rider, with the 16-year-old starring for King’s Lynn in the Rowe Motor Oil Premiership and Poole in the Cab Direct Championship.
After winning the British Under-21 crown at Redcar, he can’t wait to mix it with the nation’s senior stars. He said: “It’s a pretty crazy thing and I wasn’t really expecting it, but it’s an awesome event to be in and I’ll just enjoy the experience. It’s another learning curve.
“I know it’s going to be a great line-up, some great guys qualified and there are some great guys who already got through, so hopefully we can put on a show for all the fans who are going to be there – and hopefully the rider who wins deserves it!”
BRITISH FINAL LINE-UP (not in draw order): Dan Bewley, Tom Brennan, Will Cairns, Craig Cook, Jason Edwards, Adam Ellis, Leon Flint, Chris Harris, Drew Kemp, Danny King, Robert Lambert, Anders Rowe, Cooper Rushen, Jody Scott, Dan Thompson, Charles Wright. Reserves: Jake Mulford, Dan Gilkes.