Few riders are as closely woven into the fabric of British indoor racing as Matt and Chris Bayliss. For more than a decade, the Berkshire brothers have been mainstays of Arenacross — and for 2026 they’ve doubled down on doing things their own way. Running under the J3M Shocktech Racing banner, the Bayliss brothers will line up on bikes they own themselves, backed by sponsors who share their passion for Arenacross and belief in grassroots racing done properly.

Elder brother Matt, who balances his racing career with running a growing carpentry business, explains the decision to stay independent despite outside interest.

“We had a few people on the phone, but ultimately they could have put demands on us that would have been difficult, so Ryan Mason of Shocktech, who have been doing our suspension for 12 years anyway, came in as title sponsors with his father’s business, J3M Construction Training, also pitching in to give us enough of a budget to compete in 2026.” 

The brothers will race machinery they own themselves, with Matt opting for a 350 Husqvarna, while Chris lines up on a 250.

“Chris bought his from some road racer who just used it for fun! Arenacross doesn’t put a strain on the engine like outdoor racing, and we know enough to keep things going. Chris is a small lad and struggles with anything above a 250 anyway!”

With Birmingham and Belfast both featuring on the 2026 calendar, Matt is relishing the challenge ahead.

“I had one of best nights ever with a fourth in Aberdeen in 2025, but I got close to that again in Birmingham, and the great thing there is that it’s a big arena, you get some decent rhythm sections there. Belfast is just brilliant, I love the city, love the atmosphere, the fans get into it and I just enjoy going there. It’s gonna be a nice tour.” 

He’ll sharpen his form further with a Supercross outing in the Netherlands ahead of the Arenacross opener.

If Matt brings measured experience, Chris brings pure character. Never short of personality, Chris is as authentic off the bike as he is aggressive on it — a rider whose energy spills into every lap. His decision to stick with a 250cc machine plays perfectly to his strengths, giving him the freedom to attack every section flat-out. With heat race and head-to-head wins already under his belt, his visible exuberance consistently fires up Arenacross crowds and makes him one of the most watchable riders on the circuit.

True working-class heroes, the Bayliss brothers embody everything Arenacross fans connect with — passion, graft and doing things the hard way. Whether it’s kids discovering the sport or long-time fans appreciating racers who stay true to their roots, J3M Shocktech Racing arrives in 2026 as a team built on belief, effort and a genuine love for Arenacross.

About Arenacross

Arenacross is the UK’s premier indoor motocross championship, combining bar-to-bar racing on tight, technical tracks with freestyle motocross, lighting, music and live entertainment. Bringing together elite international riders and homegrown talent, Arenacross delivers high-intensity action in major arenas across the UK, creating an unforgettable experience for hardcore fans and families alike.

Tickets for the 2026 Arenacross Tour are on sale now via axworldtour.com.