DANNY Ford remained optimistic that Pirates would be able to get out on track this campaign and added: “Everyone is now starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

The club’s co-promoter was speaking after a statement from British Speedway said they were “refusing to give up on the 2020 season”.

Chairman of British Speedway Promoters Rob Godfrey said: “We realise various clubs have different circumstances regarding their business, but I really do believe there will be some speedway this year.”

Pirates are set to compete in the SGB Championship but have yet to turn a wheel in the division due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And while clubs will still work in line with government advice, Ford believes the chances of a return to racing look much brighter.

Asked how confident he was that Pirates would take to the track, Ford told the Daily Echo: “We have had some really positive conversations between the Championship clubs and everyone is now starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“There have been really good talks among everyone. We’re all massively optimistic we will have some racing this season.

“We are not quite sure what form that will take at the minute – that will be clarified at a later date but it’s looking positive.

“The format of the league will be massively dependant on when we do officially get the green light and what we can fit in. We will have to wait and see for that.”

Poland’s top flight is set to return behind closed doors on June 12. It is understood British Speedway would not have the financial capability to run meetings without fans.

And Ford insists the sport’s stakeholders would have to be “flexible” in Britain so that racing can eventually resume.

“We are constantly having to adapt to what the government are saying at the minute,” he added.

“We are taking it all in our stride, it’s moving along quite nicely and we are all finally getting some positive news.

“Everyone has just got to band together I feel, support each other through this really difficult time and be a little bit flexible.”

The Oakdale resident is also confident social distancing measures could be taken at Wimborne Road, if and when the sport is allowed to restart.

“Because most British speedway clubs don’t run at capacity, social distancing becomes a much easier thing for us,” he said.

“We have one of the largest crowds in British speedway but even we are nowhere near capacity, so we can social distance. We will have to cross that bridge when we get to it.”