Glasgow Tigers speedway bosses have revealed their anguish after deciding not to compete in a rearranged 2020 season.
The regular March to October SGP campaign has yet to get underway due to the coronavirus crisis but hopes remain of a shortened competition commencing in mid-August.
However the Tigers, last year's Championship runners-up, will not take part.
Co-Promoter Alan Dick said: "Social distancing and a possible restriction in the number of spectators admitted makes it totally unrealistic at Ashfield Stadium.
"Our owners have made the correct decision. Protecting our competitors, staff and fans from the virus is the key element.
"We will be back on track and ready to race in March next year, stronger than ever going for the title."
The Tigers had their seven-man team signed and in place ready to start the season when the pandemic put the brakes on sport across the country in March.
With five of those seven riders coming from overseas - two in Denmark, two in Australia and one in the USA - then travel restrictions complicate matters further should the team have decided to compete in the shortened season in August.
A club statement added: “Even if there is unrestricted movement by this point, it’s quite a lot to ask riders to come back to the UK to take part in a vastly shortened season, having already been here and gone home earlier in the year, all at their own expense.
“We’re also still very much trying to grow our fanbase in Glasgow, and we cannot do this if we have a restriction on the number of people we’re allowed to have in attendance,” the owners said in a statement.
“Given the size and layout of our stadium, together with the average number in attendance each week, it would be virtually impossible for us to safely control social distancing, and we’re simply not prepared to put people at risk where this isn’t possible.”
