Grand Central

CHEESE does not represent good value imo I buy a something different called CHALK its cheap and it is bloody awful on toast, CHEESE costs more and tastes damn good.

.Yes, it is funny just how easily people imagine that success may go to the head of a sportsman. When it actually adversely affects those 'around' the principal, even more. Imagine how easier the negotiations for a wheelbarrow-full of-cash would have gone with a WORLD title in the tool box. Genuine gold, instead of that rather chocolate-filled version he has. .

So what is the real story about this Suskiewicz guy. It is rare to see any manager's name get mentioned at all; yet no story about Emil is ever free of a mention of this chap. Is he to be admired or feared? Is he serving Emil well? From his photo it is not possible to judge. Is he a bleached Svengali to be trusted; or is he an ex radio DJ who we should all watch carefully?

I always thought that. But naughty children very often shout 'It wasn't my fault!' When caught redhanded.

A couple of thoughts from the Swedish report ... The lawyer seems to be basing his advice on the Stefan Danno case ... That was in 2000, now 14 years ago. It will be interesting to see if a case from so long ago, when some aspects of doping control administration were quite different, really is a guiding precedent for today. Stefan Danno's case was decided in the week before Christmas for an offence committed at the end of September ... So timing wise Darcy's case isn't really that delayed by comparison, yet. And finally, the report makes no mention of the possibility of him being cleared on the grounds that the test was performed wrongly. He is now expecting a ban, so must now be reconciled to guilt being established? .

Not many Nicki fans may think of looking in the Darcy Ward thread for such info. If only there was a way of creating a Nicki Pedersen thread of his own.

I don't know. So why not start a thread about him? That is how forums work.

If he 'follows-through' with a Q&A after the buffet. Then the whole of Folkestone will be happy to make use of a 'Dirt' Deflector.

But they would be 'golden farts' endorsed by Bernie Eccleston. They would be 'ghost-farted', come in hard and softback options, despite being virtually identical. And be homologated into FIM versions at £200+ VAT. They would be compulsory even for penniless novices. And come in junior 'Tony-fart' versions for extra longevity.

Possibly .... But then if the FIM were to know that the testing procedure was not watertight. Then surely they would have come to that conclusion in the time that elapsed after the Latvian GP and before the end of August when they decided to press ahead with action that invoked the suspension. They could have just dropped the whole thing. Is it not just as logical that they formed the opinion then that they had quite reasonable confidence in the procedure and are happy enough to hand final judgement in the matter over to an outside body who they fully expect to find in their favour? Don't you just love speculation? .

This is the only place I had seen it mentioned.

You can type slower. You could use sign language; or even semaphore. Anything that could possibly make sense of your post. Please. .

. Am I living in a parallel universe or have you got me totally confused with someone else? I have never said you had defended him! I have never said that you have 'argued against' rational argument. I have never said that you 'contradicted' any of my posts. I just said that you seemed somewhat unable to SEE rational argument that I felt I had put in as unpartisan way as I possibly could. But only after you - out of the 'blue' - accused me of being anti Poole in a post that just wasn't.

What a strange post. If the test was as a FACT not done properly; then I don't think we would be at this stage at all, would we? If Wards legal team are able to show discrepancies to the tribunal this week then clearly the tribunal may determine this as a FACT. But that will surely for them to decide, not jacksback! And if the test was to be actually ruled out completely then surely the guy will be in the clear!

I imagine, from what we have been told, that the 'part of the FIM' that is handling this issue seems to be somewhat separate from the 'high ranking' FIM folk who seem to be talking quite freely about their misgivings concerning the process in the 'paddock chat' at recent SGPs. We have not been informed about actual persons that are to make up the judicial panel on this case. Their background is as yet unknown. So much of the SGP 'decision making' is a little hazy to say the least. I hope this panel is above reproach. That is all.

Absolutely right. Now is the right time to think about the little shi!t who has spoit the rest of the season for all of the decent folk in world speedway. Lets us hope that the reasonable tribunal members hold sway. And not the place fillers of the old guard. Be they editors, refs, pass holders or whatever.

With a bit of luck The wife will 'Give me One' by the start of next season.

I think norbold and scribbler have made the salient points on this. And I have to say that any employer of Darcy Ward has only entered into contracts with him after being fully aware of his 'personality'. Sympathy for them when he mucks up, yet again, is always tinged with 'well, you took him on!'

I really do feel that you have lost a little bit of context in this particular debate, Phil, sadly. Always a bit quick to blame the FIM. Probably because of previous justifiable history, But unfortunately, Darcy is really just a bit of a bad 'un. Not really worthy of your continued indulgence. Best save it for more worthy candidates. You have spent your career with real bastions of the sport; Briggo, Ole et al. This guy is not of that calibre. Honestly I fear you will be defending him again in the near future no matter what the outcome of this particular issue. Don't waste your efforts. Sorry, but you really do typify people who cannot see rational argument as purely un-partisan as possible. I tried my best and you still could not see it. Your loss, I'm afraid.

Frankly, I am amazed at some attitudes. A breath test is taken by a competitor immediately prior to a World Championship Motorcycle event that produces a positive result for alcohol. The man concerned immediately admits to the world's media that he had overdone the booze the previous night. And he even makes public what he regards as a mitigating reason for this. And rather than be horrified at the seriousness of such transgression; we are subjected to a litany of morally repugnant defences and support. The test protocols were not followed properly. He was found to be over the limit before taking to the track makes it so much less serious. The time taken to deal with the serial troublemaker is regarded as somehow making the perpetrator into some sort of victim. He is of course very 'talented' on track. Plus don't forget he lends his bike to team mates and is regarded an 'inspiration' to others. And these utterances do not just come from the terraces; or from forum posters. They are also offered by his Team Managers, his employers, his sponsors and people of supposed stature within the sport. Utterly amazing. And completely abhorrent. Decent people can just hope that the FIM tribunal ensures that justice is done next week And that the right sentence is handed down.

The man really has no brain at all. Imagine awaiting sentence on a charge that may bring with it a ban that could cost one's livelihood for several years. And one of your closest supporters starts ranting to the industry's only credible media outlet like a barking mad nutter; slagging off the very body that holds your life in it's hands. Perhaps it is having friends like this in your corner, Darcy, that renders your chances of rehabilitation - and future success - pretty much zero.

No, I don't think the tribunal would take that option, it would not be sensible at all. Being realistic if the tribunal find him guilty then a certain period of ban will be given, that is what the seriousness of the charge would dictate as a minimum. That ban would start from the date he was suspended. That is always the case. It is the length of ban that is really up for question; just the time he has already served, six months, twelve months, whatever. And any period for which part of a longer ban may be suspended just to act as a threat to keep the guy on the straight and narrow. A two year ban, with one year suspended for two years would be my feeling of justice.

To a reformed character who will keep his nose clean .... absolutely no difference at all. They would just serve one year. But to a guy like Darcy Ward who has such a high chance of cocking things up again. He'll end up serving two years.

I understand your point but the metaphor is a little lacking. Steak every day may be repetitive but nobody is ever offering that. But restrict me to steak once a month and I would be forced to strangle you. A really good Steak once a week, that's about right. The trouble is ... eating out more often (and better) is one of the very things that many of us choose to spend our money on INSTEAD of going to Speedway.

A lot of fascinating detail there. For me, the most telling stat is the simple one. Over the entire season just 23 matches out of 144 had both teams riding with their full team. That is just pitiful.