PIRATES co-promoter Danny Ford admitted British speedway was in “limbo” regarding starting the season amid the coronavirus outbreak – and said safety was the “most important thing”.

While the COVID-19 epidemic had decimated the weekend’s sporting calendar, speedway’s Ben Fund Bonanza at Scunthorpe on Saturday did go ahead.

The British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA) on Friday announced there had been “no plans to cancel, postpone or otherwise change the running of our fixtures” ahead of the start of the season but would “continue to work from the advice handed down by the government regarding the ongoing situation”.

When contacted by the Daily Echo today, the BSPA confirmed the situation would be discussed at a scheduled directors meeting on Tuesday.

Pirates are on Friday set to hold their annual press and practice at Wimborne Road before a star studded line-up is scheduled to appear at Neil Middleditch’s testimonial meeting on Wednesday, March 25.

At the time of writing, Poole are due to begin their SGB Championship campaign with a home meeting against Somerset on Wednesday, April 1.

Co-promoter Ford said: “At the moment, we are kind of in a little bit of limbo.

“As it stands, we are all go for the season, all going ahead for press and practice on Friday and then Middlo’s testimonial meeting on March 25.

“I would just urge people to keep looking at our official feeds for any news and developments.

“If the season has to be postponed or some fixtures need to be postponed for safety reasons, that is obviously the most important thing.

“We are just waiting to see what happens and hopefully it all comes out in a decent scenario.”

Ford did confirm the entire Pirates set-up were “still fit and healthy” after spending time team bonding together in France earlier this month.

Should the season be postponed, it would temporarily deny Australian duo Ben Cook and Zane Keleher the chance to make their British league debuts.

Keleher is currently residing in Fordingbridge, while Cook is staying with home team manager Neil Middleditch in Sturminster Marshall.

Asked whether he had spoken to the Aussies about the situation, who have ventured from the other side of the world to ride for Poole, Ford replied: “I have just said to them ‘listen, it’s completely out of our control at the minute’.

“Let’s just focus on the season, we are going to go ahead as if the season is taking place and then whatever developments do come out, it’s out of our control.

“I have told them to try to keep that out of their head, look forward to the season and keep focused.”