Grand Central

If he 'follows-through' with a Q&A after the buffet. Then the whole of Folkestone will be happy to make use of a 'Dirt' Deflector.

But they would be 'golden farts' endorsed by Bernie Eccleston. They would be 'ghost-farted', come in hard and softback options, despite being virtually identical. And be homologated into FIM versions at £200+ VAT. They would be compulsory even for penniless novices. And come in junior 'Tony-fart' versions for extra longevity.

Possibly .... But then if the FIM were to know that the testing procedure was not watertight. Then surely they would have come to that conclusion in the time that elapsed after the Latvian GP and before the end of August when they decided to press ahead with action that invoked the suspension. They could have just dropped the whole thing. Is it not just as logical that they formed the opinion then that they had quite reasonable confidence in the procedure and are happy enough to hand final judgement in the matter over to an outside body who they fully expect to find in their favour? Don't you just love speculation? .

This is the only place I had seen it mentioned.

You can type slower. You could use sign language; or even semaphore. Anything that could possibly make sense of your post. Please. .

. Am I living in a parallel universe or have you got me totally confused with someone else? I have never said you had defended him! I have never said that you have 'argued against' rational argument. I have never said that you 'contradicted' any of my posts. I just said that you seemed somewhat unable to SEE rational argument that I felt I had put in as unpartisan way as I possibly could. But only after you - out of the 'blue' - accused me of being anti Poole in a post that just wasn't.

What a strange post. If the test was as a FACT not done properly; then I don't think we would be at this stage at all, would we? If Wards legal team are able to show discrepancies to the tribunal this week then clearly the tribunal may determine this as a FACT. But that will surely for them to decide, not jacksback! And if the test was to be actually ruled out completely then surely the guy will be in the clear!

I imagine, from what we have been told, that the 'part of the FIM' that is handling this issue seems to be somewhat separate from the 'high ranking' FIM folk who seem to be talking quite freely about their misgivings concerning the process in the 'paddock chat' at recent SGPs. We have not been informed about actual persons that are to make up the judicial panel on this case. Their background is as yet unknown. So much of the SGP 'decision making' is a little hazy to say the least. I hope this panel is above reproach. That is all.

Absolutely right. Now is the right time to think about the little shi!t who has spoit the rest of the season for all of the decent folk in world speedway. Lets us hope that the reasonable tribunal members hold sway. And not the place fillers of the old guard. Be they editors, refs, pass holders or whatever.

With a bit of luck The wife will 'Give me One' by the start of next season.

I think norbold and scribbler have made the salient points on this. And I have to say that any employer of Darcy Ward has only entered into contracts with him after being fully aware of his 'personality'. Sympathy for them when he mucks up, yet again, is always tinged with 'well, you took him on!'

I really do feel that you have lost a little bit of context in this particular debate, Phil, sadly. Always a bit quick to blame the FIM. Probably because of previous justifiable history, But unfortunately, Darcy is really just a bit of a bad 'un. Not really worthy of your continued indulgence. Best save it for more worthy candidates. You have spent your career with real bastions of the sport; Briggo, Ole et al. This guy is not of that calibre. Honestly I fear you will be defending him again in the near future no matter what the outcome of this particular issue. Don't waste your efforts. Sorry, but you really do typify people who cannot see rational argument as purely un-partisan as possible. I tried my best and you still could not see it. Your loss, I'm afraid.

Frankly, I am amazed at some attitudes. A breath test is taken by a competitor immediately prior to a World Championship Motorcycle event that produces a positive result for alcohol. The man concerned immediately admits to the world's media that he had overdone the booze the previous night. And he even makes public what he regards as a mitigating reason for this. And rather than be horrified at the seriousness of such transgression; we are subjected to a litany of morally repugnant defences and support. The test protocols were not followed properly. He was found to be over the limit before taking to the track makes it so much less serious. The time taken to deal with the serial troublemaker is regarded as somehow making the perpetrator into some sort of victim. He is of course very 'talented' on track. Plus don't forget he lends his bike to team mates and is regarded an 'inspiration' to others. And these utterances do not just come from the terraces; or from forum posters. They are also offered by his Team Managers, his employers, his sponsors and people of supposed stature within the sport. Utterly amazing. And completely abhorrent. Decent people can just hope that the FIM tribunal ensures that justice is done next week And that the right sentence is handed down.

The man really has no brain at all. Imagine awaiting sentence on a charge that may bring with it a ban that could cost one's livelihood for several years. And one of your closest supporters starts ranting to the industry's only credible media outlet like a barking mad nutter; slagging off the very body that holds your life in it's hands. Perhaps it is having friends like this in your corner, Darcy, that renders your chances of rehabilitation - and future success - pretty much zero.

No, I don't think the tribunal would take that option, it would not be sensible at all. Being realistic if the tribunal find him guilty then a certain period of ban will be given, that is what the seriousness of the charge would dictate as a minimum. That ban would start from the date he was suspended. That is always the case. It is the length of ban that is really up for question; just the time he has already served, six months, twelve months, whatever. And any period for which part of a longer ban may be suspended just to act as a threat to keep the guy on the straight and narrow. A two year ban, with one year suspended for two years would be my feeling of justice.

To a reformed character who will keep his nose clean .... absolutely no difference at all. They would just serve one year. But to a guy like Darcy Ward who has such a high chance of cocking things up again. He'll end up serving two years.

I understand your point but the metaphor is a little lacking. Steak every day may be repetitive but nobody is ever offering that. But restrict me to steak once a month and I would be forced to strangle you. A really good Steak once a week, that's about right. The trouble is ... eating out more often (and better) is one of the very things that many of us choose to spend our money on INSTEAD of going to Speedway.

A lot of fascinating detail there. For me, the most telling stat is the simple one. Over the entire season just 23 matches out of 144 had both teams riding with their full team. That is just pitiful.

Have to agree Gemini. The great thing we do here is discuss things that may, or may not happen ... at great length. And I love doing that But when it comes to the BSPA AGM, it is utterly pointless. They will decide what they want. Or not. Any views we may have are of no interest whatsoever.

Not arguing, as such, just interested in the idea of a void being created. My thinking was that one of the great virtues of SGP over the years is that such a thing has never been noticeable despite the loss of some really big hitters. I see now that you mean that the 'void' is a different one that I was imagining. You seem to mean from a sort of marketing perspective. That the series 'needs' a really top-line American, Swede or Pole who is able to pull in the media etc in their own country. I presume that is why you do not see Crump/Adams in the same way as they they have had other Aussies to replace them. I was just thinking from a spectators point of view. The loss of Rickardsson seems to have been long, long forgotten 'down my way'. Even Gollob, who really did look to be irreplaceable to me, hasn't really been lamented once you are into the series. We just get over them pretty quickly, really.

I have stood and cheered, many time, when Greg has won GPs ... at least ten to my immediate memory. But that still does not really validate the term 'void' if he were to retire. Two totally different things, strangely confused.

Void? Strange word. Since the GPs started we have seen the retirements of so many real stars; Nielsen, Rickardsson, Crump et al. No void. This last year we managed without Gollob, Emil and, for the most part, Ward. No void. When Nicki goes we will miss him, a little. But no void. When Greg goes, we will barely bat an eyelid.

.Exactly the same thing has happened to me in the past. Now I am a happy subscriber to the online version. It was funny how they always 'remembered' to stop sending me the mag when the sub was finished. But never managed to remind me to send them more money to keep it going. Odd. I imagine it difficult for the editorial of the mag to criticise promoters for not doing enough 'promotion'. When failing in this regard themselves. .

.If Darcy's legal team really can argue the case of wrong protocols, successfully And get him off free of a further ban. Then the the guy REALLY would be a prize idiot to take further legal steps of any type. He should count his blessings and get back on his bike, racing, as soon as possible. Oh, and he definitely should NOT go out on the lash to celebrate! .

It is still not a 'European' issue.