There is a small glimmer of hope that Coventry Bees could ride again when the season starts in March.
As mentioned on this site yesterday, talks are on-going with the British Speedway Promoters Association and Bees team manager Alan Rossiter told the Coventry Observer's Steve Carpenter: "We are still talking to the BSPA behind-the-scenes,
"There's still a small glimmer of hope if these talks turn out to be positive.
"Even though the fixtures have been released, there's still the possibility of slotting us in, but it's just a glimmer so we don’t want to fill the supporters with false hope.
"We will have to wait and see what happens over the next few days," he added. "If these final talks deteriorate than I am afraid that is it for this season, but we all know it would be better for speedway if we were racing in the league this season."
Rossiter admitted he was "gutted" when the BSPA confirmed the Bees and Panthers had missed out on entry to the Elite League this season, but he credited the reaction of the Bees' riders who had hoped to defend their league title this season.
"I was gutted when I found out there would be no speedway at Brandon this season," Rossiter added. "I was given the horrible task of telling the riders too, which was not a nice scenario.
"They have not known what has been going on behind the scenes and it was a very difficult thing to do.
"But credit to them, because they have been fantastic throughout the whole process despite knowing at the end of all this they might not have a job."