Grand Central Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 (edited) In hindsight it would have been better for Ward to simply admit that he had had a drink the previous evening but was shocked by the failed test and would be making no further comment until the FIM had confirmed, in writing, that they were completely satisfied the tests were carried out correctly, the calibration of the machine used verified by the proper authorities and what the next steps would be. Since then this whole episode has developed a life of its own... not least in the 245 pages here. Hindsight was not necessary at all. Just for a decent, honest person to have done the right thing at the time. No such person has made themselves known. Then, or in the subsequent five months.. That is what has caused this thread to go to 245 pages. Nothing else. . Edited February 10, 2015 by Grand Central 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pugwash Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Names. 2004 3am Bydgoszcz City Hotel Nightclub, still well populated with fans, BSI officials and some GP riders. I'm not going to list them but the last person I would expect to see there at that time would be a multi WC. . ...and more importantly, proof. I was accompanied by a very tall finnish bloke who is a member of this forum, + some other BSFers who were staying at 'The City'. I don't have any photos or signed afidavits. btw Chatted to Mr John Posslewaite who introduced Mrs P to Tony Rickardsson, 'which was nice'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Most of this 'life of its own' is the direct result of speedway 'insiders' releasing information. There is really no direction or control to this sport nationally or globally. Somebody at the BSPA should be speaking to Middleditch and getting him to tone down his comments in the media. It is incredibly negative for the sport. It doesn't matter this is an international issue, domestically we shouldn't be interfering. If Ward is guilty, I fear a backlash against the sport for the way they've handled it. It is easy for every one to say drinking and riding is acceptable. Most people say Ward must learn from this. But I don't see that from the sport which is more concerned about having one of its star attractions suspended. It should be remembered that in almost any other job Ward would have been sacked by now, and certainly if a guilty count is returned. If a bus driver failed a breath test having previously dragged his companies name through court cases, you can be sure his job wouldn't be kept open for the future. Now Ward deserves to be treated fairly and the fact his employees continue to stand by him puts him in an envious position. So why can't his acquaintances leave it at that rather than using the media as a propoganda weapon and a route to abuse the FIM. Including Mr Rising himself 2004 3am Bydgoszcz City Hotel Nightclub, still well populated with fans, BSI officials and some GP riders. I'm not going to list them but the last person I would expect to see there at that time would be a multi WC. . I was accompanied by a very tall finnish bloke who is a member of this forum, + some other BSFers who were staying at 'The City'. I don't have any photos or signed afidavits. btw Chatted to Mr John Posslewaite who introduced Mrs P to Tony Rickardsson, 'which was nice'. 11 years ago who is still competing apart from Hancock ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pugwash Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 (edited) 11 years ago who is still competing apart from Hancock ? Time goes by so fast when you're having fun. I think about a dozen of that field are still riding but I'll leave that to 'the anoraks'. btw As you would expect Greg wasn't there. A Brit rider who hypocriticaly critised DW (on Eurpsport) for drinking before a GP was though. Edited February 10, 2015 by pugwash 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 SOME comments here are getting a little out of hand. He certainly didn't have eight pints before his lunch. I was there, in the pits, at the riders' briefing when his number was called, outside the room where the test was carried out. The metre reading was not made public nor in private to anyone other than those who had a right to know. But to suggest that he was drunk - in the obvious manner than Stefan Danno was in Bydgoszcz all those years ago (was also there) - is simply not true. I understand and fully accept that over the limit is over the limit but 'drunk' seems to suggest that he was slurring his words and falling about which certainly wasn't the case. My own view is that panic set in at the time and his immediate comments (re-hydration, parents splitting) and actions (limping out of the pits) were very ill-judged and his 'advisers' in situ didn't know what to do. They couldn't just spirit him away because he was obligated to attend a Jury Meeting after the conclusion of the event. In hindsight it would have been better for Ward to simply admit that he had had a drink the previous evening but was shocked by the failed test and would be making no further comment until the FIM had confirmed, in writing, that they were completely satisfied the tests were carried out correctly, the calibration of the machine used verified by the proper authorities and what the next steps would be. Since then this whole episode has developed a life of its own... not least in the 245 pages here. I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting Ward was falling down drunk, we are just illustrating that nobody truly knows the extent with which he was over the limit. The fact remains that he apparently was over the limit and that is the crucial fact. All comments following the test have come from the Ward camp. Totally agree with you that his legal team are probably raging that Darcy did his interview - my understanding is that rule 1 from any lawyer is "say nothing!!!" Since then your magazine has given Neil Middleditch plenty of opportunities to air his views on the matter, yet obviously we have heard nothing from the FIM. A lot of the 245 pages on this thread has been a reaction to Middleditch's (and Ford's) comments. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
severnsider Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 2004 3am Bydgoszcz City Hotel Nightclub, still well populated with fans, BSI officials and some GP riders. I'm not going to list them but the last person I would expect to see there at that time would be a multi WC. . I was accompanied by a very tall finnish bloke who is a member of this forum, + some other BSFers who were staying at 'The City'. I don't have any photos or signed afidavits. btw Chatted to Mr John Posslewaite who introduced Mrs P to Tony Rickardsson, 'which was nice'. Was that the night before the grand prix or the night after the grand prix? Though pretty sure I saw Torun v Tarnow the next day so was a Polish league programme on the Sunday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 A Brit rider who hypocriticaly critised DW (on Eurpsport) for drinking before a GP was though. Must admit, when he made his comments on Eurosport I spat my drink at the tele, composed myself and turned to my dad and said something along the lines of, "thats rich coming from him". He had a reputation for having a drink GP weekends! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pugwash Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Was that the night before the grand prix or the night after the grand prix? Though pretty sure I saw Torun v Tarnow the next day so was a Polish league programme on the Sunday Night before, friday. Didn't go in bar or nightclub after GP as i had to drive home to uk sunday morning. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theknow 2 Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 SOME comments here are getting a little out of hand. He certainly didn't have eight pints before his lunch. I was there, in the pits, at the riders' briefing when his number was called, outside the room where the test was carried out. The metre reading was not made public nor in private to anyone other than those who had a right to know. But to suggest that he was drunk - in the obvious manner than Stefan Danno was in Bydgoszcz all those years ago (was also there) - is simply not true. I understand and fully accept that over the limit is over the limit but 'drunk' seems to suggest that he was slurring his words and falling about which certainly wasn't the case. My own view is that panic set in at the time and his immediate comments (re-hydration, parents splitting) and actions (limping out of the pits) were very ill-judged and his 'advisers' in situ didn't know what to do. They couldn't just spirit him away because he was obligated to attend a Jury Meeting after the conclusion of the event. In hindsight it would have been better for Ward to simply admit that he had had a drink the previous evening but was shocked by the failed test and would be making no further comment until the FIM had confirmed, in writing, that they were completely satisfied the tests were carried out correctly, the calibration of the machine used verified by the proper authorities and what the next steps would be. Since then this whole episode has developed a life of its own... not least in the 245 pages here. Indeed he has not covered himself in Glory and should of been up front from the start. But some wouldnt know the truth if it smacked umm in the face and that's why we are now where we are. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 He wasn't "drunk", he didn't have a zero alcohol breath test rating. Hmm there are many riders who should be in Darcy's position if they had been tested for your list of things eh! U don't understand my thinking ..... Nobody does. You link those who have suffered severe injuries and even lost their lives into letting Ward off? Do you fail to see the utter ignorance and stupidity of your comments? The sport is dangerous enough as it is as the names mentioned highlighted without letting riders get away with taking to track over the required alcohol limit. The only thing those names would suggest is a long term ban for Ward. Night before, friday. Didn't go in bar or nightclub after GP as i had to drive home to uk sunday morning. And the time of the following days GP? Drinking the night before the GP isn't exactly wise.. however, if its an evening start, its going to be gone from your system. An afternoon, especially an early afternoon one is a different story and that's where Darcy's team should have advised him better. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theflyingkiwi Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 And the time of the following days GP? Drinking the night before the GP isn't exactly wise.. however, if its an evening start, its going to be gone from your system. An afternoon, especially an early afternoon one is a different story and that's where Darcy's team should have advised him better. Forget the team, DARCY should have known better. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pugwash Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 (edited) And the time of the following days GP? Drinking the night before the GP isn't exactly wise.. however, if its an evening start, its going to be gone from your system. An afternoon, especially an early afternoon one is a different story and that's where Darcy's team should have advised him better. Fully agree. Stupid. Must be indigenous to Aussies. I was in the 'company' of a GP rider in the toilets at Wroclaw for SWC final. He was that drunk he could hardly see and I had to pay his 2 zloty tip as he couldn't even find his pockets let alone his money. Next afternoon he rode for Czestochowa at Leszno. Edited February 10, 2015 by pugwash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackie Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Fully agree, he caught a crab. Stupid. No point bringing up his past again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReturn Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 In hindsight it would have been better for Ward to simply admit that he had had a drink the previous evening but was shocked by the failed test and would be making no further comment until the FIM had confirmed, in writing, that they were completely satisfied the tests were carried out correctly, the calibration of the machine used verified by the proper authorities and what the next steps would be. So basically you are suggesting he should have suggested he was hoping to get off on a technicality? He got caught out, he should be holding his hands up and now be saying 'I made a mistake and I will accept my punishment'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Fully agree. Stupid. Must be indigenous to Aussies. I was in the 'company' of a GP rider in the toilets at Wroclaw for SWC final. He was that drunk he could hardly see and I had to pay his 2 zloty tip as he couldn't even find his pockets let alone his money. Next afternoon he rode for Czestochowa at Leszno. Circa-2008 I was in a club the night of the British GP. A young, possibly even under age rider was in there throwing up and certainly not in the best state. He rode in a PL meeting the next that started in the afternoon - he scored a maximum. He's gone on to good things since Oh, he was hanging around with Middlo that night! Yet a couple of years before I was getting the train home to Newport from Cardiff after the GP and we saw Neil Collins and asked why he wasn't riding in the Welsh Open the following day. His answer? He wanted to have a couple of drink at the GP so had decided not to ride. He was still one of the most sober people on the platform waiting for a train. But he was an old pro. I think plenty of us know it happens but that doesn't make it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Are we there yet?? In what capacity are you in the pits constantly Philip?? Genuine question?? UNOFFICIAL assistant Race Director ... not paid either by the FIM or BSI. Deputised as RD a couple of times when Ole Olsen was absent and was officially FIM RD at the King's Lynn round of the SWC last year when Tony Olsson stayed in Sweden. Just one of many trying to ensure everything from practice, pre-meeging parade, scoreboard, semis and final draw, presentation, press conferences run as smoothly as possible. So basically you are suggesting he should have suggested he was hoping to get off on a technicality? He got caught out, he should be holding his hands up and now be saying 'I made a mistake and I will accept my punishment'. NO I'm not. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 UNOFFICIAL assistant Race Director ... not paid either by the FIM or BSI. Deputised as RD a couple of times when Ole Olsen was absent and was officially FIM RD at the King's Lynn round of the SWC last year when Tony Olsson stayed in Sweden. Just one of many trying to ensure everything from practice, pre-meeging parade, scoreboard, semis and final draw, presentation, press conferences run as smoothly as possible. NO I'm not. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavan Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 im still stunned that we havent had an answer within the 7 days that Middlo, Darcy, starman, and anybody else that couldnt read expected. fim are disgraceful 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Bit like the policeman who just wandered in and took Darcy's breath test,Phil just wanders in and takes control of the meeting.All very professional I don't think I'll have a bit of that myself this season.Print up me own pass and start checking all the bikes with me tool kit 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Bit like the policeman who just wandered in and took Darcy's breath test,Phil just wanders in and takes control of the meeting.All very professional I don't think I'll have a bit of that myself this season.Print up me own pass and start checking all the bikes with me tool kit Just don't want ever you do find Darcy bike in any way illegal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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