WEYMOUTH Wildcats have revealed talks are ongoing over a potential shock return to the Midland & Southern Development League (MSDL) for 2022.

Wildcats have not raced in the division since 2019, when the British Speedway Promoters’ Association (BSPA) banned nomadic clubs from riding in the tier.

Wildcats are classed as a nomadic club due to not possessing a home track. The ‘Cats have most recently used St Boniface Arena in Plymouth and Wimborne Road in Poole.

Coronavirus also put paid to their hopes of completing some individual meetings in 2020.

And, in April this year, Echosport revealed how the Wildcats had applied to join promoters NORA, in effect attempting to create a breakaway league alongside nomadic clubs shunned by BSPA.

Talks to re-join the MSDL are at a tentative stage, according to Weymouth’s co-promoter James Tresadern.

READ MORE: Weymouth Wildcats still seeking new home track

“We’ve got Laurence Rogers, who ran the MSDL, fighting our corner,” Tresadern said.

“It was down to us, all the MSDL clubs, to bring the next generation of riders through.

“Without us, the next generation is not going to get any track time other than practice, that little bit of competition in an MSDL meeting.

“So, the interest is going to disappear a bit. (Rogers) will be fighting our corner, now he’s saved Birmingham from being closed down – he’s had a big hand in that.

“That’s been taking up his time and now he can build his team and focus on the MSDL side of it.

“Laurence, ever since day one, has been behind us to keep everything going. He knows the job we do and knows we weren’t in it for any profit or gain.

“He knows where we were coming from – but certain people don’t.”

In the 2021 season, the MSDL featured just three teams in Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Eastbourne.

Tresadern has revealed how the resurrection of Oxford Cheetahs – five-time champions of Britain - could spark interest in more teams joining the MSDL.

Cheetahs are expected to compete at a higher level, but Tresadern is hopeful of more teams entering the MSDL for 2022.

“Last year there were only three clubs and then Eastbourne folded,” Tresadern explained.

“It just left Birmingham and Wolverhampton. We’re hoping with the inclusion of Oxford that they might get a team together – we don’t know.

“I believe Peterborough might be doing a team as well, so the scope is there for a nice little MSDL next season. We just want to get involved again.”

The main obstacle remains the BSPA’s exile of nomadic teams, but Rogers is believed to be working to unlock the door for such clubs.