OveFundinFan

So then, if top riders had not got injured, meaning if Ward had been riding he would have NOT been in the running for being world champ, what would your thoughts be? Would just slipping down the standings have been punishment and he can have a wild card, or would you want a ban and no wild card? Wherever he MIGHT have finished in the world champs; higher or lower should not come into consideration. Theres an old saying .... "you reap what you sow". He drank to a point he was over the specified limit, he pays the penalty for that, and that does not include, IMO, getting a wild card just because he may have missed out on being world champ.

and Batch's short notice meant he could scarcely get sponsorship together to launch a full attack on the gp season. I think he has show enough this year to warrant a wild card 2015

Thought I read batch used the same bike at Cardiff, that was the week after Copenhagen, but he didnt show the same pace.

I think 177 gp's on the trot is a fantastic achievement considering what can happen to a rider in a gp season. I only been "back to speedway" for 2 years (2013 and 2014) and seen more accidents with injuries to top riders taking them out of a gp then I ever saw back in the 60's/70's. And many a rider would love to be a two time world champion with a possibility of a third at the age of 44 (or is it 45). Not detracting from any rider in the gp era who has been a multi world champ more then twice - thats fantastic as well.. 177 GP's in a row - could be called Mr Perpetual Motion and I think that was a title Ove Fundin had for being in the world championship top three for 10 years running.

Thank you for that

I agree with Gavan.. Even a one off transgression of failing a breath test by anyone is deserving of strong punishment, and that includes a ban. The fact this thread has gone on for 76 pages (and no doubt some more) is, IMO, due to the fact this is not Wards first indiscretion and he doesnt seem to be learning. I do detect that virtually everyone wants to see DW the exciting rider fulfilling the full potential he has. However that is up to him, no one else, and if he decides to leave speedway and ruin his life some way then so be it, neither "you" nor I can do much to stop him.

A good meeting to watch tonight, shame about the serious crash. Having come back to speedway only last year I cant understand comments about certain riders basically because I dont know their history. What I do know is I like the style of MJJ and rate hima good rider with a brilliant future. How old is he? 23? Former under 21 world champ - cant be bad. Read today that his father has throat cancer and has had for some time. Maybe that is a contributory fact to his "below potential" form which is mentioned by his critics. Probably affect me if I would have been in the same situation at his age. We all handle difficulties such as that differently, will affect some more then others. Certainly I would like to see MJJ given a wild card next year on the basis of his 3 gp appearances this year. More so MJJ then tonights winner. Why? Ok, he is only 19 and for someone that age his performance was outstanding. But doesnt he ride Gorzow as his home track? Not detracting from his performance, at such a young age to keep his cool among such outstanding and experienced company is a massive achievement, but home track, "special" engine (do they check the top 3's engines), a one off meeting - needs more outings at that level to show what he could sustain over a season. Where did he finish in the Polish championship the other week? - when KK ruled the roost. But I agree, sadly AJ is past his prime, Freddie is fighting but cant get the points regularly, Chris harris is not performing (only got a handful more points then MJJ) so they should not be in the pick for permanent wildcards. NKI for one if he is out for the rest of the season, MJJ would be my 2nd wild card, Hample is still worthy of consideration, Vaculik ok (but didnt he say he wanted a break for 3 or 4 years), there should be a Swede - but who, couple young swedes not quite good enough yet so may be Freddie again. So my 4 would be NKI, MJJ, Hample, Freddie. Sadly only one Brit next year - the obvious one, Tai

I am lost there Phil. If he was banned for 6 months that would mean he would be riding next year, in the gp qualifier next year I presume, and could be in the gps in 2016 - or is my thinking wonky?

We can hope - he has to do it, seems he has resisted all advice in the past, he needs a BIG change of attitude.

Darcy looked too smug for me when he did his tv interview in Latvia - maybe he knew there was a technical infringement that would give him a "get out of jail free" card. I hope its not the case - for his sake, and for the sake of others unless he changes.

Do let us all know how this progresses. I am sure you will.

What injury is Hampel carrying?

With a few gp riders injured/doubtful to ride on Saturday at Gorzow I reckon Darcy will be allowed to ride - just to keep the numbers up together with the quality of those numbers. Then, as someone suggested, strip him of those points at the end of the year. Do you mean "driving permit" as in driving licence? If so, to do what you suggest I would think would be very strange - was he driving a vehicle on the public highway when he was tested?

Is it such a difficult decision to make? Surely not.

I got the stream at heat 17, very patchy until about heat 20, then went steady. Enjoyed that, and looks like Emil is on top form. I hope NP is ok and fit for next gp.

I wonder how his sponsors feel? If they start pulling out then he will be hit right hard in the pocket. It would be ridiculous if he got a ban for the rest of the gp year and then get a wild card next year - that is no punishment at all. Into the qualifiers he goes.

I would settle for that screm. A lot less then I was stating some many posts back, but yours is perhaps more realistic even though I wont hold my breath.

I dont know - which Aussie did miss his flight to Poland on the Sunday after Cardiff? Initials will suffice.

What you saying Sidney is not for the good of the sport. You saying just because someone is a "crowd puller" he should be treated differently to some one else who may not be. That has to be wonky thinking. I am positive that DW needs help, as you imply, and that helps needs to be available - if he wants it - but you cannot go easy on one person because of that. Why? because the next one to come along (and some one will) will expect the same. Wrong way to go IMO, Sidney

from a google search http://www.goldentyre.com/en/ from the contact it seems the hq is in Italy.

but its all speedway.... but its all motor sport....... why a difference Sorry Sidney..... but "all these numpties on here" are not the one that failed a test.

Dudek cant ride. Ward can ride. ? ? ?

Darcy Ward racing in Sweden tonight. Eurosport NOW

and neither would a sensible sportsperson.

speedibee This link was in post #46 above http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28778032