Darcy Ward

[pandorum]

If Ward gets off scot free than speedway will look a joke to the rest of the world.

 

Oh sorry about that my fingers just went haywire for a second.

I forgot speedway already is a joke to the rest of the world.

 

## Note to self speedway and joke in same sentence is NOT an oxymoron

[RobMcCaffery]

 

 

Sadly passed away earlier this year

Thank you for letting me know. I had no idea. Trevor O'Brien was one of those characters that the sport needs so badly, a trier, fighter (literally) and one who got the fans behind him as they willed his career forward. One of the terrible side aspects of the closure of Rye House in 1994 was that we'd be denied seeing his career finally flourish,

 

Do we know what happened?

 

(EDIT) - I see it was a motocross accident. Thanks for some valued, happy memories of a difficult time, Trevor and enjoy your rest.

Edited August 26, 2014 by rmc

[PHILIPRISING]

So Monster/BSI would not want Darcy banned so they'll get him off on a technicality by messing up the testing. Brilliant!

 

Surely they don't need the tests anyway, he's admitted it.

IT'S out of the hands of BSI let alone Monster Energy.

 

It could be argued that he has only admitted that he did drink the night before and failed a test but if (and we are only talking hypothetically here) that test was illegal in any way and is declared null and void then he would be free to continue racing. Can blame Darcy for a lot of things but not cocking up the test....

[Wackie]

I guess everything else in Latvia was a complete cock up that weekend, so we shouldn't expect the anti-doping tests to be any different!

 

Surprised there's no testing of podium finishers though - it occurs in most other sports and certainly from what I can recall in MotoGP etc, but FIM wouldn't want any controversy in that discipline would they, be less easy to sweep under the carpet than say speedway!

 

 

Jacques - it was an American Motocross rider who was caught with a banned substance in his system in April - was suspended in June - think that's still pending final outcome!!

[Jacques]

I guess everything else in Latvia was a complete cock up that weekend, so we shouldn't expect the anti-doping tests to be any different!

 

Surprised there's no testing of podium finishers though - it occurs in most other sports and certainly from what I can recall in MotoGP etc, but FIM wouldn't want any controversy in that discipline would they, be less easy to sweep under the carpet than say speedway!

 

 

Jacques - it was an American Motocross rider who was caught with a banned substance in his system in April - was suspended in June - think that's still pending final outcome!!

 

 

Aaah, I knew you mentioned something!

 

I suppose it is fair to assume that this case is likely to run and run. Those hoping for a quick resolution, I wouldn't hold your breath ....

[topaz325]

As someone asked earlier are there any tests done in domestic Speedway?

[Triple.H.]

Let's face it if there was something wrong with the test procedure or equipment the best thing that can happen is that the authorities learn and act upon any inadequacies.

[PHILIPRISING]

I guess everything else in Latvia was a complete cock up that weekend, so we shouldn't expect the anti-doping tests to be any different!

 

Surprised there's no testing of podium finishers though - it occurs in most other sports and certainly from what I can recall in MotoGP etc, but FIM wouldn't want any controversy in that discipline would they, be less easy to sweep under the carpet than say speedway!

 

 

Jacques - it was an American Motocross rider who was caught with a banned substance in his system in April - was suspended in June - think that's still pending final outcome!!

SURELY better to test before they ride than afterwards ... better still to test all of them

[g13webb]

IT'S out of the hands of BSI let alone Monster Energy.

 

It could be argued that he has only admitted that he did drink the night before and failed a test but if (and we are only talking hypothetically here) that test was illegal in any way and is declared null and void then he would be free to continue racing. Can blame Darcy for a lot of things but not cocking up the test....

 

Monster Energy don't have control on the rules, but they supply the financial clout for the SGP series, which in due course benefits the FIM.

 

Every decision about speedway is secretive, long winded and drawn out. Darcy should have been fined and banned on the spot say 2 months from all activities. Problem solved. He would have time to get himself and his Knee sorted and be back next year with a new manager and guardian ready to show the world what he can do.

 

As it is, we drag on and on and on, In the end nobody give a damn......and the sport has lost the opportunity to show people of the world it is run properly.

 

Can you imagine the situation if Lewis Hamilton turned up for a race meeting over the limit........

[speedwaysliders]

If this went to be herd in a court anywhere in the world what would the outcome be? Darcy has already had brushes with the law in the uk,and back in Australia,ALL with alcohol involved.i dont think he would get a slap on the wrist would he?!!!

[PHILIPRISING]

THERE may be faults at the FIM but being unduly influenced by an outside agency like a major sponsor is not one of them. I would suggest that their lawyers are beyond reproach.

 

I am sure there are countless cases where the police have made mistakes with alcohol testing and the perpetrators have got off scot free and that's just the way it is.

 

If (big, big if still) this is also the case with Darcy then he is as entitled as any to treated accordingly.

If this went to be herd in a court anywhere in the world what would the outcome be? Darcy has already had brushes with the law in the uk,and back in Australia,ALL with alcohol involved.i dont think he would get a slap on the wrist would he?!!!

BUT surely the FIM will only deal with what falls within their jurisdiction. Not sure that his past record on an Australia highway is of any consequence in this case.

[screm]

BUT surely the FIM will only deal with what falls within their jurisdiction. Not sure that his past record on an Australia highway is of any consequence in this case.

 

Agreed, the FIM will only look at Wards failure to pass the alcohol test in Latvia, nothing else. They will also need to make sure whatever decision they come to is legally water tight as Ward will be allowed an appeal if he thinks his punishment, should he get one, is over the top.

[StevePark]

 

Monster Energy don't have control on the rules, but they supply the financial clout for the SGP series, which in due course benefits the FIM.

 

Every decision about speedway is secretive, long winded and drawn out. Darcy should have been fined and banned on the spot say 2 months from all activities. Problem solved. He would have time to get himself and his Knee sorted and be back next year with a new manager and guardian ready to show the world what he can do.

 

As it is, we drag on and on and on, In the end nobody give a damn......and the sport has lost the opportunity to show people of the world it is run properly.

 

Can you imagine the situation if Lewis Hamilton turned up for a race meeting over the limit........

 

The difference (between Lewis Hamilton and Darcy Ward) is that Lewis Hamilton wouldn't.

[SteveLyric2]

 

The difference (between Lewis Hamilton and Darcy Ward) is that Lewis Hamilton wouldn't.

 

 

Niki Rosberg probably would though!!! Mind you it might make F1 more exciting to watch.

 

Back to the case in hand, as we are still discussing the whys, wherefores and what-ifs in light of the latest info re legal process. it could be argued that DW has already been punished ie fined and banned from a GP.

 

Not saying I agree with that, but if it is found that there was any issue with the testing then maybe a further reprimand/fine - based on him admitting he drank - and 'suspended' sentence re the GPs is warranted - unless of course that doesn't fall within the FIM's regs?!

[Wackie]

SURELY better to test before they ride than afterwards ... better still to test all of them

 

Yes of course better to test before and ALL of them, but as they only test a sample just thought it strange that they don't test the podium finishers as they do in other disciplines too.

 

There's been some serious allegations made by other SGP riders in the wake of Ward failing his breath test. Would include urine tests as well as breathaliser tests for ALL riders prior to future FIM events. It's sad to believe that some could be using recreational drugs or out partying the night before an event when you consider the already heightened risks within the sport. Maybe the only way forward for some of them to "keep their nose clean"

 

Out of interest, do you know who was responsible for carrying out the breathaliser tests at Latvia?

[SteveLyric2]

Wasn't it reported that Dudek was tested after he rode for Zielona Gora, back in June?

 

 

I wonder, with all the chaos of switching venues in Latvia, whether the usual official 'random testing' procedure was adhered to?? Or whether there was any 'cutting of corners'?

 

You never know , Ward may have been 'shopped' by another rider who would benefit by Ward not being in the series??

Edited August 26, 2014 by Skidder1

[The White Knight]

 

Yes of course better to test before and ALL of them, but as they only test a sample just thought it strange that they don't test the podium finishers as they do in other disciplines too.

 

There's been some serious allegations made by other SGP riders in the wake of Ward failing his breath test. Would include urine tests as well as breathaliser tests for ALL riders prior to future FIM events. It's sad to believe that some could be using recreational drugs or out partying the night before an event when you consider the already heightened risks within the sport. Maybe the only way forward for some of them to "keep their nose clean"

 

Out of interest, do you know who was responsible for carrying out the breathaliser tests at Latvia?

An interesting choice of words.

[stevehone]

You never know , Ward may have been 'shopped' by another rider who would benefit by Ward not being in the series??

 

but if Ward was seen drinking and someone was going to be riding against him the following lunchtime, surely that's a good thing

[PHILIPRISING]

 

Yes of course better to test before and ALL of them, but as they only test a sample just thought it strange that they don't test the podium finishers as they do in other disciplines too.

 

There's been some serious allegations made by other SGP riders in the wake of Ward failing his breath test. Would include urine tests as well as breathaliser tests for ALL riders prior to future FIM events. It's sad to believe that some could be using recreational drugs or out partying the night before an event when you consider the already heightened risks within the sport. Maybe the only way forward for some of them to "keep their nose clean"

 

Out of interest, do you know who was responsible for carrying out the breathaliser tests at Latvia?

THE doctor in association with the referee...

 

but if Ward was seen drinking and someone was going to be riding against him the following lunchtime, surely that's a good thing

RIDERS names are taken from a random ballot...

[SteveLyric2]

 

but if Ward was seen drinking and someone was going to be riding against him the following lunchtime, surely that's a good thing

I didn't say it was wrong - if it happened - but may not have followed the correct process?!