And that's a wrap! Dean Wilson crowned Arenacross champion in Belfast
By Team TMX on 15th Feb 26
The 2026 Arenacross Tour, Presented by Dirt Store, reached its crescendo on Saturday, February 14, at Belfast’s SSE Arena. And in fitting fashion it was Dean Wilson who once again delivered a champion’s performance - even if the Head-to-Head races continued to prove his one remaining irritation.
There was disappointment for the home fans before the gate even dropped. With Martin Barr already sidelined from Friday’s crash, Belfast’s last Pro hope James Mackrel was ruled out after injuring himself in morning practice. Mackrel was understandably gutted while Barr still made it back trackside to support his son in the E-Mini ranks as the crowd rallied behind a strong contingent of local riders across the support classes.
When the Pros hit the track, Phoenix Tools Fantic’s John Adamson turned heads in Hot Laps with a season-best fourth, bettered only by AJP Racing’s Adam Chatfield, J3M Shocktech Racing star Matt Bayliss, and of course Wilson, who stuck the #1 Armor Vision Powered by St Blazey Honda on pole.
The opening Pro Main Event was anything but straightforward for the defending Champion. Bayliss grabbed the holeshot ahead of Stark Future’s Jack Brunell, with Adamson sharp again in third, while Wilson was buried in ninth through turn one. It didn’t last. Within a lap he was fourth, and by half-distance he had worked past Dirt Store Triumph’s Dylan Woodcock to begin hunting down Bayliss. Both Wilson and Woodcock eventually found a way through, the Champion taking the win ahead of Woodcock and Bayliss, with Brunell fourth and Chatfield fifth.
Race two brought high drama. Adamson led early, but Wilson and Woodcock wasted no time asserting control. Brunell, starting outside the top five, crashed heavily in the rhythm section, prompting a red flag. He was taken to hospital conscious and aware, and everyone in the arena wished him well.
On the restart Wilson was imperious. Bayliss and Chatfield fought over second before the 2013 Champion secured it, while Woodcock and Eddie Wade closed hard in the closing laps. Wilson’s victory sealed the 2026 series before the final race had even been run – back-to-back Arenacross British Championship crowns and a total of 228 championship points underlining his authority. Woodcock would ultimately secure second in the series on 182 points, with Bayliss’ consistency earning him third overall on 158.
The Head-to-Heads again denied Wilson a clean sweep. After dispatching newly crowned Pro-Am Champion Louis Brookes, he was edged out by Chatfield before the final. Wade emerged victorious in that dash for cash, getting the better of Bayliss and Chatfield in a hard-fought showdown.
With third in the championship still mathematically in play, the final Main Event was fierce. Bayliss led early, Wade surged through to the front on lap four, and then Wilson did what champions do – blitzing the whoops to take control once more. Wade’s second place ensured a strong night for the Dirt Store Triumph squad, with Woodcock third to confirm his runner-up status in the series and Bayliss fourth, enough to lock down that final championship podium position.
Wilson walked away from Belfast with 75 points on the night, Woodcock on 62 and Wade on 56, but the bigger prize was the Pro Championship trophy - once again in the hands of Deano.
In Pro-Am, Brookes underlined why he is regarded as one of Britain’s brightest prospects. The 18-year-old from Shropshire controlled both races with maturity beyond his years, taking maximum points on the night and wrapping up the Championship with 147 points. Neville Bradshaw finished second in the standings on 126, with Josh Greedy third on 115. Brookes’ title was immediately followed by the unique experience of lining up against Wilson in the Head-to-Head arena – a fitting reward for a breakout season.
The Supermini class provided redemption and confirmation in equal measure. After Friday’s crashes ended his perfect run, John Slade responded like a true champion, dominating the Big-Wheel final and sealing the title with 141 points. Mason Brown and Frank Bishop completed the Big-Wheel championship top three, while in Small-Wheel it was Cameron Berry who secured the crown on 128 points, just ahead of Mason Staddon on 122, with Kai Benjamin third.
In the Mini class, Blake Marks-Bracey left nothing to chance. A superb start in the final ensured he controlled proceedings and clinched the Championship with 144 points. Preston Killoran secured second in the standings on 123, narrowly ahead of Roy Townley on 121, capping a fiercely competitive campaign.
The E-Mini finale brought rare adversity for series dominator Harley Patel. After a coming together while battling Cooper Swan for the lead left Patel on the ground, Swan went on to take the race win. But Patel had already done enough across the series to claim the Championship with 139 points, ahead of Swan on 123 and Maddox Knifton on 115.
As with the entire tour, Belfast’s final night delivered drama, redemption, and championship glory in equal measure. From Wilson’s back-to-back crowns to the emergence of the next generation across every support class, Arenacross 2026 signed off in spectacular style – and the countdown to 2027 has already begun.
