Bike Testing At And Following The Gp's

[spook]

Ok so possibly a controversial topic but one that isnt aimed at slinging mud or accusations at or about individuals.... more a case of a thread aimed at understanding the current processes and procedures in place at the GP's and just how effective they are

 

Speedway may not have a reputation for shadyness on a par with the likes of horse racing or cycling but it has certainly had its moments over time and it certainly hasnt done the sport any good. Interestingly though the mud that has stuck has generally come from post career 'revelations' and not from people being caught out.

 

We saw something taking place at the SWC where after the race, bikes were guided into an enclosure and what appeared to be tape measures were used.... I found this interesting on a couple of counts; we generally havent seen this before so why then? and just how long is the list of things that a rider or 'team' could gain an illegal advantage with? How many of those things were being checked? surely they werent just simply measuring the engines?

 

My mechanical knowledge of speedway bikes is not good enough to know what in particular to look for in 2010/2011..... but there certainly are those in the sport armed with that knowledge and I wonder just how safeguarded the competition actually is..... I understand the system of accusation = ££££ = inquiry ... but it seems to me that the many thousands involved would tend to put someone off making the claim.... along of course with the social consequences amongst other riders of such an action...... it also seems to me that it takes responsibility away from the organisers who just like other motorsports should imo have a mandatory system that finds a balance between checking everything that they need to and inconveniencing the riders as little as possible

 

Does anyone know what the system was this year? how it worked? and how effective it was? Was there even a 'system' other than riders having to pay a fortune to have someone put under the microscope?

Edited October 19, 2010 by spook

[WIE-JA]

Bikes are impounded in parc ferme immediately after a riders last race in FIM world championship events. This allows for protests to be made and any checks to be carried out. The bikes are usually in there for half an hour.

[ladyluck]

By chance I was talking to people connected to a former GPer at the weekend and they suggested that oversight of machinery at the GPs was a joke and opined that the bikes of the top three should be impounded and stripped down as standard.

[spook]

Bikes are impounded in parc ferme immediately after a riders last race in FIM world championship events. This allows for protests to be made and any checks to be carried out. The bikes are usually in there for half an hour.

 

so the reality is that nothing is done then other than keeping the bikes away from the riders or teams 'in case' someone wants to lodge an objection............. I think this is the major issue though as unless someone actually saw something being poured into a tank or saw some dubious engine/carb tweaking with their own eyes then on what grounds do they have to make an objection? ..... and if they do then it is going to cost them handsomely for the right..... unless they guessed correctly of course

 

I said that I didnt intend this thread for mud slinging or accusations at individuals ...... but I believe that there are signs that all is not as it should be and I am concerned at the repurcussions if it is ever the case...... first of all how will it ever be discovered unless the authorities are not only on the cutting edge but also on top of it? ... and secondly just as cycling, boxing, football and horse racing have experienced before just what do they do with the information? Do they publish it and potentially suffer negative publicity or is it nipped in the bud and hushed up?

 

I sincerely hope that my fears are wrong

 

 

By chance I was talking to people connected to a former GPer at the weekend and they suggested that oversight of machinery at the GPs was a joke and opined that the bikes of the top three should be impounded and stripped down as standard.

 

I really cannot see any other way..... but on top of that I would also suggest that another 1st choice bike chosen at random (no matter how many points they scored) suffers the same process... top 8 means everything in the gp's

 

The issue with this I would have thought is the position it places riders and their teams..... one of logistics and cost ...... not to mention potential damage to the machinery....... But I just dont see how it can be classed as a bona fide world championship in the modern era unless it is taking care of the integrity of it

 

edit: and talking of modern eras.... I would have thought that it was all important for potential (and existing) advertisers and investors that the competition has some recognition and semblance of 'clean'

Edited October 22, 2010 by spook