Debbi

At the end of the day it is down to the rider to know what they are taking legally/illegally they are meant to be professional. I assume when taking out a license there is a box or something that says you agree/are aware of drugs policy. If you don’t know ask, Alexa, Google, your team management a Dr. There really isn’t an excuse, if it is pain killers because of an injury should you be riding in the first place? I have seen comments from riders past and present that this is the tip of the iceberg and they could name plenty of other riders using banned substances, so how many officials are also aware of this but turn a blind eye? Yet again though it is the paying fans be it at the track or BSN that are ripped off by these situations, they have paid to view a meeting with a minimum of 12 riders, but have been left with this situation. Would it not be obvious that a rider coming back from a ban for failing a drug test previously, would be “randomly” tested more frequently?!

Won’t happen it has been going on for at least 30 years that I have known of, excuses including pot laced fruit cake, spiked drinks, cough medication and still is now, if you are lucky they admit when they have been found to have taken harder substances. The argument for drinking someone brought it for me and I didn’t know what was in it, I only had a pint, I used a hand sanitiser etc. When Darcy was done for drinking at the Latvian gp, another rider was interviewed and said it’s all well and good testing for alcohol but drug tests needed to be conducted more regularly and how many years ago was that? If it had been the year before I could have told you several names that were up ‘til 2am doing shots in Latvia, that would have been banned. You are very wrong in thinking it is the more elite riders that are the only ones to gain. Think about it the more you can score (points that is) the more money you get, you may not do it every meeting trying not to draw to much attention but how many riders have you seen over the years who have been riding badly then have a maximum the next week. I am not saying this is the case for all riders in that situation but you are left with a question over it. I have seen posts on other sites from ex-riders saying it’s the tip of the iceberg and they could tell you the names of many riders that are taking drugs. Let’s face it, it’s that well known amongst the riders then in some cases officials at the club also see what is happening. What I don’t understand is if it’s that well known who is abusing the rules why is nobody informing on them? What they are doing endangers everyone on the centre (medics, track staff, riders, photographers etc.). The question that you will never know the answer to is how many accidents have been caused as a result of someone who has taken something on the banned list alcohol/drugs? How many careers have been ended or life changing injuries caused because of this? Also why do the drug test just at the start of the meeting, if you are going to try and beat the system as some do, some riders/mechanics get warning calls that there are tests being done at that meeting (then suddenly you hear the van has broken down, food poisoning, traffic jams etc.). Would you turn up under the influence or once you know the test has been done or is not happening what’s to stop you from taking something then, some drugs are absorbed into the system quicker than others. The bottom line is that all riders know the license conditions and what drugs (legal or otherwise, including alcohol) they can or cannot take and even if they don’t it is their responsibility to make sure they comply with the regulations.

I know what you mean but at the same time he has been in the pits with Tai, Artem, Emil & Doyle you show me a young lad (16) who would turn down the opportunity to see, ride and learn with some of the top riders.

It’s very obvious that you haven’t seen Ashton race yet. Scores aren’t everything (not sure what score you have looked at) as you say he is a young lad but boy can he race, and that is good to see he gives 100% (as did Luke) he outscored our number 2 tonight and scored exactly the same as Henry at reserve. I thought he might struggle and am happy I have been proven wrong. I would also like to say what an amazing job he did in heat 2. A very nasty fall directly in front of him and I still don’t know how he didn’t hit either Nathan Ablitt or his bike, considering the things being said about Polish youngsters not knowing how to avoid crashes and with Ashton only having one years experience of riding he did a bloody good job.

At the top it should say all sport, then go to speedway.

“The Drivel on here can be insensitive” if you are a family member or friend do you not think posting a video of the incident is extremely insensitive especially when injuries and there severity are not know publicly. As for rubber necking something I do not do as more often or not when people do this it creates more incidents sometimes worse than the ones being looked at, also police are cracking down on this now.

Nope, but “apparently the bank holds up the payment” is what someone said on the Oxford Facebook, last time it took about two weeks to get it back and I know of some that were still waiting for the Kent meeting the week previous to be refunded.

Fair enough rider safety is paramount, what annoys me is that there was absolutely no chance that the track was going to be ready. So why wasn’t it called off earlier, why were we allowed into the stadium, people were buying tickets at the stadium (on phones). Didn’t matter who you were it was obvious the track was in no state for racing. Add to that as I said earlier it started raining at 20:00.

We were at the stadium at 17:00 and there was blue sky and no rain, however when we went into the grandstand at 18:00 it was obvious no bike would be going on track. Jamie as an ex rider should be more aware of what is acceptable or dangerous and be realistic, all other fixtures for today had been cancelled and the Isle of Wight is cancelled for tomorrow. Don’t get me wrong I am glad speedway is back in Oxford but not everybody can afford fuel to get there. Also unfair to other fans and riders who all face the same cost of living issues we have. I will add that as we left the stadium it started raining again! It would also be helpful to announce the situation before rumours - we heard it had been delayed 5 minutes before it was announced, or you can see that it’s off as none of the riders were changed and we saw them packing their vans 5-10 mins before the announcement.

Scott has announced on social media that his Mum died yesterday morning. For those that wanted to believe the worst of Scott it’s clear they don’t know the man behind the rider. Just because he’s a rider it doesn’t mean that they don’t have the same issues we all do/have had in our private lives. Be kind you never know what the person you are talking or writing about are going through just as they don’t know what you are going through. Condolences to Scott and family at this difficult time.

It’s so easy to see conspiracy theories where there aren’t any. As the statement says he is missing due to family circumstances. As and when these are known is up to Scott, all I ask is that in the meantime people remember to be kind.

I would be extremely surprised if Scott will be anywhere near Poland tomorrow, that’s not his priority at the moment and will probably be the very last thing on his mind.

I don’t think Sam was named in the squad, otherwise he wouldn’t have arranged to be elsewhere or as someone else said he was given permission to be away.

I think there is a facility for this kind of thing. Scott was allowed to miss a meeting when Penny was born and didn’t get a ban (other riders have also done this) I guess as you say he could be seen as withholding his services however, it would not look good if they forced him to race in the circumstances. The Lynn meeting was a joke Andersen did not ride as he “missed his plane”, Laguta apparently injured his wrist at the weekend although I can’t see that he crashed plus he scored 13 points. But at the same time in the original schedule there weren’t meetings planned for this week due to the SWC racing, but with the backlog of fixtures the powers that be changed this. Which is why Sam Masters had other arrangements for this week, and there is no talk of a ban for him.

I hope the BSPA would understand Scott’s situation (which as they have allowed a guest for him suggests they do) it is no different to having compassionate leave in a regular job. This is as the statement said to do with his family no conspiracy theories here. I would rather Scott missed a meeting than turn up with his mind elsewhere that’s when accidents happen.

How many times have we witnessed riders racing with broken collar bones/wrists and finding out the following day it’s broken?! Not saying it is broken as it was in a news report. I can’t help but think what the reaction to this would be if it had been Nicki P that did this - the internet would have blown up! I think that there has to be some punishment as I have said yes the fan was in an area he shouldn’t be and we don’t know what was said. But you can’t have riders assaulting people like this it sends out the wrong signals. If this happened anywhere else it would not be acceptable.

An article I have seen said the Polish authorities are investigating and being advised by FIM with sanctions expected.

After the incident at Lezno last night will Tai be able to take part in the Speedway World Cup. the fan has breached the area separating the home (Lezno) and away (Wrocław) fans. He is clearly happy that his team have won and stopped the Wrocław winning streak. I know we can’t hear what the fan is chanting and that family and friends could have been in that section, however, Tai decided to take him out rather than get security (which is what one of the riders looks to have done). I don’t see how this is defendable and wonder if the Polish league will reprimand him, but more alarming is the fact that footage exists and if the fan wishes to pursue criminal charges there isn’t a lot to argue especially as Tai has discussed MMA fighting and his hope to get into it when he finishes riding. https://twitter.com/twiterzuzlowy/status/1682501134680748036?t=YIe-7Edo9Lv5rZqRCNiWUA&s=19

Just after the Darcy Ward ban in Latvia there was an interview with a fellow gp rider who stated they need to test more for drugs than alcohol. The understanding being that something like cocaine (and I am NOT saying what the substance in this case, as I have no idea), they suggested that it lowers your inhibitions meaning they will see a gap or opportunity that nobody else would dream of taking and end up causing serious injuries.

As I have said elsewhere Plymouth were treated in exactly the same way at Oxford last year. BB was tested before the meeting and was “withdrawn as medically unfit” about 30mins before the start, therefore Birmingham had to be treated in the same way. Not saying it is at all fair for the fans or the rest of the team, but the rider/riders (and managers in some cases) know what is allowed and what isn’t. If it’s correct that he would not supply a second sample then he only has him self to blame.

Plymouth weren’t at Oxford last year, I know it’s an anomaly in speedway but it is continuity in the way both teams were treated.

I wasn’t aware he had failed to give a second sample and just to make it clear I am not defending him at all - just waiting for the excuses. I have absolutely no respect for any rider that gets on a bike under the influence, they are not only putting themselves and other riders at risk they are also risking the safety of everyone (marshalls/medics etc.) on the centre green.

We all know there will be more to come, be it a prescription or otherwise, but at least for once there is continuity in how the situation with Plymouth (last year) & Birmingham were dealt with and that is an anomaly in itself in speedway. As always it is the club and the fans that have been let down and I feel for both same as the situation last year. Many will forget the positive changes, new management etc and will focus on the negative. Birmingham did not deserve this when the survival of the team is in such a precarious situation. Just as the Glasgow fans have been let down having travelled down expecting to see a competitive meeting.

That’s what happened in the Oxford v Plymouth meeting last year as well.

It’s ok not a problem, if true they will be able to reason it was in a prescription and didn’t realise it was there, so the SCB will ban them for the off season and they’ll be back at the tapes at the start of the year as if nothing really happened!