THE breakaway war in speedway has begun with riders being told they cannot compete for rival organisations.

Earlier this year, Echosport revealed Weymouth Wildcats had applied to join NORA in a bid to form a new league along with the Isle of Wight plus fellow nomads Exeter, Milton Keynes, Reading and Carmarthen.

READ MORE: Weymouth Wildcats to ride at Chard Carnival

However, British Speedway Promoters’ Ltd (BSPL) and Speedway Control Bureau (SCB) chiefs have told Premiership, Championship and National League riders they cannot ride for NORA teams.

This has hindered teams such as Wildcats competing in individual meetings in 2021.

Speaking to Echosport, Cats’ co-promoter James Tresadern said: “It created a lot of hassle.

“We were trying to get riders to ride for us and they were saying: ‘yes, yes, yes, no problem’.

“But the clubs were being told if you let your riders go over there, they’re not going to be allowed to ride for you, so they put a ban in place because of that.”