Leicester Lion Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 but if Ward was seen drinking and someone was going to be riding against him the following lunchtime, surely that's a good thingYou would think so, and you'd hope the rules cover the eventuality of a rider not randomly selected but still be made subject to a test because of the reasonable suspicion that he might fail it. But this is speedway... The FIM and the promoters surely have a duty of care to all participants; failing to test a suspect rider would be neglecting the safety of the others. Of course, ideally they should test all the participants, but randomly testing a few is regarded as an acceptable shortcut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PHILIPRISING Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 IF my memory serves me correct, and I was there, Stefan Danno was deliberately tested because of his behaviour and the unmistakable smell of alcohol. Nothing suspicious about Ward's behaviour on Sunday morning. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malgunner Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Darcy Ward is not the first sportsman to make a mistake and he won't be the last.He fractionally failed the test and his punishment was basically losing his crack at the World Grand Prix this year.He wasn't on a drink and drug fuelled bender and I'm sure will learn from it,He deserves any punishment given to him and was immensely stupid.One day another rider will get caught out doing a lot worse and look forward to seeing people's reaction then.He was caught in time,no other rider was put at risk and he went on tv and explained himself.Reckless riding by the likes of Pedersen is far more dangerous and frequent with no bans or punishments.Time to draw a line under it but keep an eye on Darcy's future conduct for his own and everyone's good.That way we won't demonise a talented young rider and shatter his confidence and desire leaving the sport of speedway the poorer for it. Also if this person saw Darcy drinking and was "decent" enough to report him,Why weren't they decent enough to attempt to stop him? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racers and royals Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 IF my memory serves me correct, and I was there, Stefan Danno was deliberately tested because of his behaviour and the unmistakable smell of alcohol. Nothing suspicious about Ward's behaviour on Sunday morning. Were you with him at 2am 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE DEAN MACHINE Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 from personal experiences at domestic level they seem to test in monthly periods .i or my team mates were tested 3 times in 2weeks and then nothing till the next year when you would see a few weeks of testing and then nothing .without naming names or teams a few years ago i saw some sorry states after cardiff gp and was in the meeting with some of them the next day when they didnt look to great then and it showed in their racing. I dont think they would of past a test that day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BWitcher Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 It's amusing how some decide that in every circumstance the sport of speedway is made to look like a joke... when in almost every circumstance other, far bigger sports have the same issues... but funnily enough, don't get called a joke. It's highly common for these testing issues to encounter legal problems and has happened in far bigger sports than speedway. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iris123 Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Really Deans post say's it all.Riders go into a meeting alongside guys they know are not functioning at a normal level because of alcohol or possibly drugs,but do nothing about it.It is their lives at risk,but don't want to say anything that will rock the boat and maybe get them ostracised.In a way a similar thing happens in a lot of jobs.I used to work at a factory where on night shifts the boiler man(the guy who could blow the place up if things go wrong)was regularly out of his brain on night rubbishs and no-one said a word,not even the shift foreman.......and the guy had to drive home which was putting even more lives at risk.But at the time it was treated more as a joke than a problem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandorum Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Really Deans post say's it all.Riders go into a meeting alongside guys they know are not functioning at a normal level because of alcohol or possibly drugs,but do nothing about it.It is their lives at risk,but don't want to say anything that will rock the boat and maybe get them ostracised.In a way a similar thing happens in a lot of jobs.I used to work at a factory where on night shifts the boiler man(the guy who could blow the place up if things go wrong)was regularly out of his brain on night rubbishs and no-one said a word,not even the shift foreman.......and the guy had to drive home which was putting even more lives at risk.But at the time it was treated more as a joke than a problem Exactly. Look at Homer Simpson. He nearly blew up Springfield and he was promoted for saving them from a disaster he caused. 'Eenie minie miney moe' 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
salty Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 It's amusing how some decide that in every circumstance the sport of speedway is made to look like a joke... when in almost every circumstance other, far bigger sports have the same issues... but funnily enough, don't get called a joke. It's highly common for these testing issues to encounter legal problems and has happened in far bigger sports than speedway. Sure there is a particular legal practice that makes great play of their ability to help well heeled people evade punishment for various parking offences by skilfully finding technical loopholes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f-s-p Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 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.... Popular story I hear at times... An ice racing GP in Hamar, random riders selected for the test. All blew over the limit. Another test. Same results. The police doing the test blows it, over the limit. Reason? Methanol fumes inside the rink and pit area. They go outside, take another device and all blow zero. Including the police. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Popular story I hear at times... An ice racing GP in Hamar, random riders selected for the test. All blew over the limit. Another test. Same results. The police doing the test blows it, over the limit. Reason? Methanol fumes inside the rink and pit area. They go outside, take another device and all blow zero. Including the police. The handheld devices are only used as screening devices on the roadside here. They give the Police the power of arrest. Once at the Police Station the person is required to provide a further specimen on a much more accurate machine, the result of which they will either be charged, or given the opportunity to provide blood for analysis if the result is borderline. This is why I asked on the Patrick Dudek thread if Ward had been given any other testing ie blood and why I asked on here who actually administered the test on the Sunday? It appears it was a doctor with referee, one would think they know what they are doing? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wackie Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Really Deans post say's it all.Riders go into a meeting alongside guys they know are not functioning at a normal level because of alcohol or possibly drugs,but do nothing about it.It is their lives at risk,but don't want to say anything that will rock the boat and maybe get them ostracised. I think that did happen of sorts a few years back. A couple of Reading riders made complaints against another rider being in an unfit state to ride on more than one occasion, I think these concerns were raised "somewhere to someone" along the line by their promoter. Sure enough he was picked up as failing a random drugs test at a league meeting by the sports council along with a team mate! One held their hands up and got a 12 month ban, the other wanted his B sample tested and got 18 months. Both returned to the sport, and the rider who received the 12 month ban took revenge on one of the riders who had raised the issue originally on track - allegedly stating to his face something along the lines of "that's you sorted, your team mate is next!" Apparently the drug use by this particular rider was well known of within the sport, but only a couple of riders had the balls to speak up about it. Makes you wonder why things don't seem to have changed much in the sport. Getting on a bike next to someone you suspect of not being in full control of their faculties is surely akin to getting into a car with a drunk driver and letting them drive you home - you just wouldn't do it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 I would assume the FIM have protocols and procedures for such tests. IF these were followed I can't see there being a problem. If they weren't then the officials involved should have their accreditation taken away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Exactly. Look at Homer Simpson. He nearly blew up Springfield and he was promoted for saving them from a disaster he caused. 'Eenie minie miney moe' Oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh - careful pandorum. :rofl: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 I think that did happen of sorts a few years back. A couple of Reading riders made complaints against another rider being in an unfit state to ride on more than one occasion, I think these concerns were raised "somewhere to someone" along the line by their promoter. Sure enough he was picked up as failing a random drugs test at a league meeting by the sports council along with a team mate! One held their hands up and got a 12 month ban, the other wanted his B sample tested and got 18 months. Both returned to the sport, and the rider who received the 12 month ban took revenge on one of the riders who had raised the issue originally on track - allegedly stating to his face something along the lines of "that's you sorted, your team mate is next!" Apparently the drug use by this particular rider was well known of within the sport, but only a couple of riders had the balls to speak up about it. Makes you wonder why things don't seem to have changed much in the sport. Getting on a bike next to someone you suspect of not being in full control of their faculties is surely akin to getting into a car with a drunk driver and letting them drive you home - you just wouldn't do it. Similar thing hhappened with kelly moran when he was at eastborne. He was allegedly so drunk he could barely stand, the opposition complained it wad unsafe, but bob dugard's doctor passed him fit to race. He didnt make it round the first bend in any of his rides Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g13webb Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 If Darcy Ward is let off because of a Technicality, It will project the sport as a bigger joke than it already is...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhamboy66 Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Similar thing hhappened with kelly moran when he was at eastborne. He was allegedly so drunk he could barely stand, the opposition complained it wad unsafe, but bob dugard's doctor passed him fit to race. He didnt make it round the first bend in any of his rides Shame you have to make remarks about someone who is dead and unable to react or defend themselves, completely unnecessary and if which i doubt so called moderators do read posts then yours should be removed. RIP Kelly 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waiheke1 Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Its not intended to disrespect kelly in the slightest, he and shawn are amongst my favourite riders ever. But given that the above allegation appeared in print, during kelly's lifetime, I'm not sure why you consider it offensive or in need of moderation? Agree, RIP jellyman. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screm Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 If Darcy Ward is let off because of a Technicality, It will project the sport as a bigger joke than it already is...... Cant see a technicality has been breached, Ward was selected for an alcohol test, and failed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted August 27, 2014 Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Cant see a technicality has been breached, Ward was selected for an alcohol test, and failed. 'Dodgy testing equipment' could be their argument. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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