Grand Central

Which is, frankly, the same place we have been since we started all this. I still feel that Darcy is playing a high stakes game. Pleading not guilty and basing everything on a technicality to get off. That tactic could lead to the heaviest penalty if he loses. An early guilty plea combined with good mitigation and the whole thing could have been over by now. With him back in action by March Just a thought.

I have no idea about this case. You may know more. But there have been many cases heard in the last few years by the FIM where it has been just one single judge sitting alone.

Really? ... Not so sure that it looks that way at all to me. It sounds more that the 'friends of Darcy' are trying to 'talk up' a bit of a propaganda war; in the (probably) mistaken belief that the FIM are listening. I think the truth is that the FIM judicial process is so far removed from the personalities mentioned here that they are of no import whatsoever.. Most cases seem to be dealt with by a single lawyer from the FIM panel in a hotel somewhere in Europe who have next to no knowledge of anyone in the sport or even motorsport. They just do seem to genuinely judge the facts. I seriously doubt whether they would care one jot about other considerations as they do not read The Daily Star, Speedway Star, the Poole Echo or even the BSF! I do think that Darcy will get his justice; whatever that may be. The rest is just flim flam.

I thought from the manner of some posts today. That silliness was the only currency of value here.

.Careful Norbold, you are in danger of using too much intelligent thought on this matter. It will only be held against you. .

It makes me smile to think that the whole of the FIM apparatus on the day. The jury, the referee, the Race Director; everyone, in fact, took the word of a cack-handed imbecile with dodgy testing equipment and almost jumped at the chance of removing the star attraction from the series just an hour before the meeting. What odd behaviour on their part when his lack of qualifications now seems so obvious to so many. I, for one, am eternally grateful to the Daily Star for unearthing such a travesty

Oh dear, we'll leave it at that then

That has to be one of the oddest replies you have ever made. Just re read it and think how daft it really sounds.

Another day ... Another reason for knickers to get twisted. I think we should remember that this is an article in the Daily Star - that revered journal of record - that offers no new information, and contains no attributed comment or quote. It could easily have been written two or three months ago. Must have been a quiet Christmas for PO, methinks.

I thought most people who officiated at Speedway meetings were 'off duty' from their day job. It is difficult to think of anyone better qualified to do a breath test than a Police Officer. Surely? .

I think some people may need a tutorial on the usage of hashtags on twitter. Otherwise their knickers will be well and truly twisted before the end of the month. #Imhunglikeadonkey

The last official word made was the press release from the FIM dated August 28, 2014. It reads FIM Anti-doping Controls FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Championship Anti-Doping Rule Violation - RiderDarcy Ward provisionally suspended The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has advised SGP rider Darcy Ward that he is provisionally suspended (with effect from 28 August) pursuant to Article 7.5 of the FIM Anti-doping Code. The decision to provisionally suspend Darcy Ward was taken following the receipt of a report from the FIM Track Racing Commission indicating that the result of an anti-doping control (alcohol test conducted by analysis of breath) carried out by the FIM on the rider at the Grand Prix of Latvia, round of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Championship held at Daugavpils on 17 August 2014, revealed the presence of alcohol above the threshold of 0.10g/L as fixed under the FIM Anti-doping Code. In accordance with Article 8.1.1 of the FIM Anti-doping Code and Article 3.3.2 of the FIM Disciplinary and Arbitration Code, the case will be referred to the FIM International Disciplinary Court (CDI) which will adjudicate on the merits of the case. For the duration of his Provisional Suspension, Mr Darcy Ward is barred from participating in any competition. Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the FIM Anti-Doping Code, the FIM is unable to provide any additional information at this time. ------- We have now been led to believe that the CDI takes place on January 8, 2015. Although I have not seen this is an official communication from the FIM. I hope this adds a little clarity for those that need it.

Not if you are Polish and didn't even want to stay in a hotel at all. But you still can't buy the ticket to your 'own' GP as it's been reserved for an Overseas Hotel-stayer. That would go down well if that is the ONLY way they sold tickets for Cardiff ! Wouldn't it?

So quite straightforward really.. The PZM are just 'helping' their own money-spinning operation of 'Hotel and Ticket combined' at 150Euro. By saying that all the tickets are sold-out at Kupbilet. Good business sense those Poles.

Am I really being over cynical on this? But I just do not believe it. That every single ticket in every single section has been sold out? Not one single rogue one, end of row, or between groups? Not one single one. Anywhere? Come off it. Just a thought. Did the PZM sell many crap TVs on Black Friday?

Goodness, Goodness, Ladies. Please stop it with the 'Handbags'. It makes you look ever so common to be fighting over a silly young man who drinks too much. This sort of dispute between you should only be featured on Jeremy Kyle. Or decided by Judge Judy. Now kiss and make up before bedtime.

On the edge extinction, maybe. That is your view. But NOT actually extinct. Which could be seen as money well spent. In my view.

Split it between them. Spent it on riders. Just about survived. In a league that was effectively bankrupt without that cash. What the hell do you think?

Promoters have always been able to bring sponsorship into the communal 'pot' and get paid on results. Terry Russell was able to trouser 200K per season out of the old deal with Sky for combined broadcasting and naming rights. He went out and did the deal. So he got 20 per cent. Anyone who did similar would have got the same 'finders fee'. El Tel can get a lot of flak. Some of it justified. But the fact remains he is just about the only guy who has ever achieved anything on this front. Credit where credit is due. .

So, in summary. Three actual decisions have been made all weekend. 3 points for a home win. One TR when 10 points behind. Yellow and Black Helmet Cover to return. Other things are being tweeked. Fixture list better adapted around GPs. Format better adapted for visiting number 4. Fast Track riders shuffled a bit. Doubling up a bit restricted, in two years time. Everything in the garden really must look rosy, then. If that is it. I just had a feeling that here was a tad more work needed. Must be wrong.

Quite right. We are trivialising a grave matter. If Darcy Ward were aged 5 and waiting to take part in the egg and spoon race. He would be breathalysed for Calpol and be suspended.

Well... I've been on quite a few committees in my time. In various arenas of life, but not the BSPA. And, without exception, the Chairman - on occasions, me - has had much greater influence on the policy direction that any other single committee member. And massively more influence than a 'normal association member' on the floor of a General meeting. .

You do realise that every single one of these god-awful puns is going to be used, at sometime in the future, on the front cover of a Speedway Star. .

If you had asked him his name on the morning of the Latvian GP. Then that is probably the best he could have managed himself!

The argument for such a conspiracy theory presupposes that 'The FIM' is this unified sentient entity that cares one jot about this case or Darcy Ward. That I doubt. I imagine the truth is that the organisation as a whole has barely any idea who the guy is, what his case is. And wouldn't 'care' even if they did. His 'file' is probably sat in the 'in tray' of a middle ranking official in Geneva. And it will just get looked at when he gets around to it. Perhaps after a nice long Christmas break.