StevePark 2,798 Posted April 7, 2014 Rob Godfrey sacked Ben Powell on the same night that he aimed his bike at a Newcastle rider in a meeting. I think the case then went to the SCB and he was banned from riding for a while. If Auty had damaged his spine or internal organs the kick that Richard Hall gave Auty may have had tragic consequences. Lucky for the both of them that it was a leg injury... The rider he "aimed his bike at" was Kenni Larsen. Powell was banned for 12 months, but seeing as he is yet to pay the fine, remains banned, although he "retired" after the ban order and returned to Australia, therefore, basically getting away with it scot free (other than the fine on the night). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lucifer sam 3,955 Posted April 7, 2014 (edited) Just a few thoughts of my own on yesterday’s incident. Handbags are all part of speedway… and have brightened up many a dull meeting. I remember a huge barney at Oxford in 1984, following an incident between Hans Nielsen and Sam Ermolenko, with Ermolenko’s mechanic going wild, and being forcefully ejected from the stadium by security. That’s my memory of that meeting – not the racing. Great stuff. Yesterday was different. It wasn’t a harmless man-to-man, toe-to-toe scuffle. Instead it was one man kicking (with some force) another man in the stomach who was still down on the track, with, at that time, yet to be determined injuries. It was sickening. I’m just glad that Josh Auty had a knee injury – I dread to think what damage Richard Hall may have caused otherwise. Three days earlier Anders Mellgren suffered a fracture to his spine – had Josh Auty been lying on the track with this kind of injury yesterday, Richard Hall could have found himself in serious trouble with the police and facing criminal charges. Tempers do get frayed during the high-octane atmosphere of a speedway meeting, but certain lines cannot be crossed. Striking an injured rider is one of them. A bit of controversy has its place in speedway, but not a cowardly attack on an injured man. All the best Rob Edited April 7, 2014 by lucifer sam 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Django 159 Posted April 7, 2014 Please don't tarnish all Workington supporters with the same brush Auty isn't one of the most popular riders at Derwent Park with some justification (the Kenny Ingalls incident) but for what Hall reportedly did to him yesterday is an utter disgrace and he should be facing a lengthly ban. If he had internal injuries a kick in the stomach could have been life threatening. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conkers in Gravy 120 Posted April 7, 2014 Regardless of past history or the rights and wrongs of the racing incident, to kick an injured man when he's down is wrong and no serious sport would tolerate it.. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
psycho3a 101 Posted April 7, 2014 My thoughts, If anyone has video footage please send it to Scunthorpe police !! If Richard Hall is a big enough man to kick someone whilst lay on the ground then he should suffer the whole consequences of not just a disciplinary action from his employees. I know if i did the same thing at work or out in the street what actions would be coming my way. It will be interesting to hear Richard Halls comments.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hulvik 73 Posted April 7, 2014 It will be intresting to see what the Redcar promotion will do. I'd like to think they take a leaf out of Rob Godfrey book and Richard Hall finds himself without a club to ride for. But if the reaction of the Bears fans present at the meeting is concerned I'll be surprised if this is a case. At the time of posting this the Redcar promotion have been very quiet on the matter maybe they feel that this sort of action by riders is acceptable Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
screm 8,069 Posted April 7, 2014 Redcar Bears star Richard Hall has issued an apology and explanation after the incident with Josh Auth at Scunthorpe yesterday which resulted in him being excluded from the rest of the meeting: I would like to make an apology to Josh Auty, Scunthorpe and Redcar Speedway (including my team mates) and spectators present at the Scunthorpe V Redcar League Cup meeting on 6/4/14. During heat 7 Josh knocked me off entering bend 1 of the first lap which resulted in an injury to my shoulder (which I had a major operation to repair last year) and extensive damage to my bike. After getting up from the floor, I heard my bike revving flat out under the air fence which caused the engine to blow up. At the time I was extremely angry, was in a lot of pain and felt devastated at the cost that Josh's actions had resulted in. As I walked to my bike I heard Josh Auty swear at me and out of anger and in the heat of the moment I kicked him, which I immediately regretted.I am sincerely sorry for my actions which I deeply regret. My actions were out of character, I have never acted this way before during a meeting and I accept that I was foolish and wrong to do so. I feel I have let myself and Redcar speedway down on this occasion and am extremely sorry I acted on impulse and out of emotion. I was fined and was expelled from the rest of this fixture which I accept was a fair punishment.Speedway is a high adrenaline and dangerous sport and it is easy to lose your judgement during a moment like this. I have no issues with Josh Auty, my action was performed in the heat of the moment and I sincerely hope the injury caused by his fall heals quickly. I accept that my actions cannot be condoned, I am devastated about the situation I have put myself in due to a split second decision. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foamfence 2,917 Posted April 7, 2014 I would still ban him, even after the statement. He was known to be a bit of a loose cannon and that cast some doubt in some minds when Redcar signed him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halifaxtiger 5,318 Posted April 7, 2014 If he's never done it before - and I don't think he has - I'd say what happened yesterday is enough in the light of the apology. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bamber 53 Posted April 7, 2014 "LOOSE CANNON"Please explain?? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunch 20 Posted April 7, 2014 (edited) Richard did well to hear josh swear at him given his bike was next to him revving flat out....poor attempt to justify his actions Edited April 7, 2014 by hunch 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scribbler 213 Posted April 7, 2014 Why did RH think JA was swearing at him? He could have been swearing in pain. RH has always been a moody beggar. Even when he rode for Scunthorpe I wasn't keen on him as a rider. He needs to be banned - his behaviour was inexcusable. Even if JA did swear at him RH should not have kicked an injured man when he was lying injured on the track! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eric i 621 Posted April 7, 2014 The rider he "aimed his bike at" was Kenni Larsen. Powell was banned for 12 months, but seeing as he is yet to pay the fine, remains banned, although he "retired" after the ban order and returned to Australia, therefore, basically getting away with it scot free (other than the fine on the night). I guess we won't see Richard hall on track this season if Powel got 12 months for launching his bike at a rider. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Halifaxtiger 5,318 Posted April 7, 2014 Richard did well to hear josh swear at him given his bike was next to him revving flat out....poor attempt to justify his actions To be fair, I don't think he is. He did something in the heat of the moment (which we are all capable of) and while I accept the serious nature of what he did I think that apology is sincere and he's not known for such behaviour. I'd give him a warning and leave it at that. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ch958 2,396 Posted April 7, 2014 if someone had cost me 5k by being an idiot i'd find it hard to keep calm and so would most of the pontificators on here he has been punished and may be punished further so stop with the witch hunt 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
