|
|
|
|
|
Topic: Dabate: Drug Testing in Sprint Car Racing?
|
Email this topic to a friend |
Subscribe to this Topic
| Report this Topic to Moderator
|
|
Page 1 of 4 of 66 replies
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
10:51:03 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
02/01/2011
|
|
Posts:
|
301
|
|
|
|
Kendra and I have been kicking this topic around for a number of weeks, she found this story from earlier this year which has spurred our discussion:
An Australian sprint car driver failed a recent drug test
according to SpeedCafe.com. West Australian driver Ryan Farrell failed a drug
test performed by the Speedway Australia organization on Friday night at
Bunbury Speedway's ENZED World Series sprint car event. He was immediately
removed from the event and withdrew his liscense.
Obviously it has become a "hot topic" in the last few days, so lets kick it around.
First ground rule is lets just talk about the topic and not specific people; we've all seen where that can lead and destroy a good healthy debate.
So, the first question is:
- Do you think there should be drug testing in sprint car racing and why?
If you say yes, there are a few other things to consider:
- Who administers the testing?
- Who pays for administering the testing?
- When is testing done?
- Who gets tested?
- What are the penalties for positive test results?
- What are the driver or persons tested rights for a second test?
- What process must a driver go through to get back behind the wheel?
- How public is this all made?
I'm sure there are other fair questions in this debate and please feel free to bring those into the conversation. It's a topic many deal with at places of employment, it's a topic in virtually ever other sport, so let's kick it around and see what you think?
Also, please avoid taking shots at other posters? I'd like to learn your thoughts in good solid debate, not "no I didn't -- yes you did"......Thanks!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
11:32:32 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
01/26/2010
|
|
Posts:
|
15
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: Postman68 on April 04 2013 at 10:51:03 AM
Kendra and I have been kicking this topic around for a number of weeks, she found this story from earlier this year which has spurred our discussion:
An Australian sprint car driver failed a recent drug test
according to SpeedCafe.com. West Australian driver Ryan Farrell failed a drug
test performed by the Speedway Australia organization on Friday night at
Bunbury Speedway's ENZED World Series sprint car event. He was immediately
removed from the event and withdrew his liscense.
Obviously it has become a "hot topic" in the last few days, so lets kick it around.
First ground rule is lets just talk about the topic and not specific people; we've all seen where that can lead and destroy a good healthy debate.
So, the first question is:
- Do you think there should be drug testing in sprint car racing and why?
If you say yes, there are a few other things to consider:
- Who administers the testing?
- Who pays for administering the testing?
- When is testing done?
- Who gets tested?
- What are the penalties for positive test results?
- What are the driver or persons tested rights for a second test?
- What process must a driver go through to get back behind the wheel?
- How public is this all made?
I'm sure there are other fair questions in this debate and please feel free to bring those into the conversation. It's a topic many deal with at places of employment, it's a topic in virtually ever other sport, so let's kick it around and see what you think?
Also, please avoid taking shots at other posters? I'd like to learn your thoughts in good solid debate, not "no I didn't -- yes you did"......Thanks!!!!
|
Not sure what to say, however if I owned a sprint car and was handing over 900hp to my driver I would definitely want him/her to be clean! It's not just their lives it's 23 other drivers ripping around at over 100mph+. So I guess I am taking the stance of drug testing in sprint cars!
As far as administering the test. Get someone from outside the track that's agreed upon by owners,possibly a nurse,emt,someone that deals with drug tests. But think it should be agreed on by all owners and most likely a third party with no ties to a racer.
Drug tests are cheap enough these days. I'm sure the track can spring for them. And if they can't afford them, the track shouldn't be in exsistance.
Test before the race, and at random maybe 5 a night so u never know. Maybe do random pill draws if you get tested 1 time good for you, if u get tested 25 times that's the luck of the draw.
Penalty would be to shut him down and have him tested for next 3-4weeks if he stays clean welcome back. However he should be tested every week then(he buys the kit).
If he wants a second test, that's fine. Not sure what policy should be on amount of time. Maybe shut him down for night and drug test next morning.
Think it should be kept quiet! However with social media will be very tough!
Guys this just my opinion don't bash me. But I'm all for testing. I am in law enforcement so maybe I'm a little more biased. Sorry if I offended anyone. And I love sprint cars never want to see anyone get hurt in a car, let alone a drug related crash on the track!
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
11:34:44 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/21/2009
|
|
Posts:
|
63
|
|
|
Of course there should be, and not just sprint cars but all classes.
The reason being, who wants to race with some guy thats hyped on speed or coke or whatever. Also what would the insurance say if a crash resulted in another drivers death or worse yet a fans death and they found out the driver who caused the crash was high at the time?
I dont know about you but I'm randomly drug tested at least once a month for my day job.
As for the logistics of it, the tracks should pay for it and administer it. The kits can't cost more than $5 a piece, like I said companies all over pay it for every day.
If you fail you can take another test, if you fail both you are ejected for a minimum of one year. After that year you must pass a drug test before you are allowed to race again. If you do not pass after a year you will be banned for another year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
11:46:09 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
02/12/2011
|
|
Posts:
|
47
|
|
|
This message was edited on
April 04, 2013 at
11:50:47 AM by kkr91
Not so sure I believe they should do it per say, but if they were to do it...
Track hires some sort of outside agency to administer it.
If positive, driver pays, negative track pays.
Testing done before the nights events.
Penalties are not being allowed to compete until they get clean (negative result)
Not made public, although chances are people will find out anyways.
Honestly, as long as they aren't under the influence while at the track and in the car, I could care less what they choose to do on their own time.
.
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
11:46:24 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
08/15/2012
|
|
Posts:
|
1620
|
|
|
|
The WoO members sign a contract. With that contract they COULD state random drug testing. I have no idea what is in their contract pertaining to this issue.
I don't know how much leverage a local track could have when it comes to testing. If a driver knows they might test he could certainly refrain from drugs 24 hours prior to racing as most "simple" (urine) tests will only show the last 24 hours.
More extensive testing is quite costly and usually requres a blood draw.
I don't know the answer but if I were a driver or owner I would not want to be on the track with someone "under the influence" of drugs or alcohol.
It would be interesting to hear comments from ACTUAL drivers as to their feelings.
I LEARNED ESP FROM MY MOM
"PUT YOUR SWEATER ON: DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW WHEN
YOU'RE COLD?"
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
12:00:49 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/03/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
517
|
|
|
Who would drive the cars?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
12:21:50 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/27/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
3751
|
|
|
|
would testing lower the track's insurance rates?
Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better
weather." Van May
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
01:07:21 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/26/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
1001
|
|
|
I'm all for it. Cost isn't an issue as drug testing costs us $28 per test. Most drugs stay in your system for a minimum of 3-4 days up to about 4-6 weeks. Urine tests are sufficient. Test a few before the night starts and a few at the end of the night to prevent drug use after the test before the night starts. I like the idea that the driver pays if tests are positive and track pays if negative.
This is not a costly process nor a difficult one. It will make the sport a little safer for everyone involved.
www.ibracn.com
#PaulsToTheWall
GO SAMMY!
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
01:07:46 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
06/16/2012
|
|
Posts:
|
98
|
|
|
sure and go ahead and test the push truck drivers, crew members, and concession stand workers... get real....people drive 80 mph down the interstate around drunks and people on every type of drug there is and some dont even put on a seat belt...everyone knows the risks..the only reason nascar tests is because of the multi million dollar sponsorships...not driver safety
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
01:21:33 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/23/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
3943
|
|
|
|
Wow, sure is cheap to drug test down there. I have about 50 truck drivers working for me and it costs me/them $75 through a Consortium. I think for the most part at the upper levels of this sport a vast majority will not have a problem with this, but it does exist and I've seen (smokin' the doob) it in the pits surprisingly.....
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
01:37:25 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
04/29/2009
|
|
Posts:
|
221
|
|
|
I am all for it, too. Drivers could be randomly tested, and you can do it and keep it quiet. NASCAR tests drivers a lot and you never hear about it unless a driver tests positive. If a driver does test positive, suspend them until they can get cleaned up however long that is. My concern would be if it's a local driver, are they suspended from that track only or should he/she get a universal suspension nation wide? A driver at track A could get a suspension for a positive test but track B could say you can race here because you didn't test positive at our track. This is an issue that each and every track and racing series needs to be on the same page.
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
02:11:42 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
02/09/2012
|
|
Posts:
|
863
|
|
|
This message was edited on
April 04, 2013 at
03:30:24 PM by Speedkills
I don't really see a problem with doing this but I highly doubt it will be able to be done, it would be a logistical nightmare. First off it would need to be the sanctioning bodies that do it like IMCA, Wissota, USAC, WoO, All-stars etc. as they hold more over the drivers heads than 1 local track. If 1 local track started doing this all that would happen is the guy who wouldn't pass would go down the road to another track that doesn't test and I highly doubt that a local promoter or track owner would deal with the expense of drug testing, their struggling to pay the bills the way it is. Where as the sanctioning body would be able to require a test to get the ok to drive there sanctioned races and could then leave it open that you could be re-tested at anytime.
I agree that NASCAR does it and is successful with it, but the thing is they are a billion dollar corporation, it is a whole different game than local tracks and small sanctioning bodies who already struggle to make it. I'm not against the theory, I just don't foresee it happening anytime soon within the ranks of small dirt track racing.
http://gph.is/XMLGff
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
02:39:25 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/30/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
1461
|
|
|
This message was edited on
April 04, 2013 at
02:42:31 PM by Speedbump
Reply to:
Posted By: IBRACN on April 04 2013 at 01:07:21 PM
I'm all for it. Cost isn't an issue as drug testing costs us $28 per test. Most drugs stay in your system for a minimum of 3-4 days up to about 4-6 weeks. Urine tests are sufficient. Test a few before the night starts and a few at the end of the night to prevent drug use after the test before the night starts. I like the idea that the driver pays if tests are positive and track pays if negative.
This is not a costly process nor a difficult one. It will make the sport a little safer for everyone involved.
|
How many drugs do they screen for that $28?
What drugs and at what amounts in your system would result in a violation?
If you include marijuana in the list of banned drugs, at what level? Would races held in the states of Washington or Colorado be exempt? What about California and a host of other states that issue prescription marijuana? Would you be violating HIPPA code if you DQ'd for a medically prescribed substance?
Maybe in an effort to standardize the test and penalties, SFI could somehow get involved. Most sanctioning bodies require SFI approved safety gear....
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
03:41:29 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
02/09/2012
|
|
Posts:
|
863
|
|
|
|
Even if you said $28, which to me seems low also, but at that if you got 50 drivers in all classes to your track that evening and paid that for 50 drug tests, thats $1400, I highly doubt that any promoter or tracker owner is going to spend at least that every week to drug test the drivers.
http://gph.is/XMLGff
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
03:48:18 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
10/03/2012
|
|
Posts:
|
219
|
|
|
|
If you have nothing to hide, just pee and lets start the car..lol
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
03:59:11 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
02/09/2012
|
|
Posts:
|
863
|
|
|
This message was edited on
April 04, 2013 at
03:59:52 PM by Speedkills
Maybe they could just get the cops to bring a drug sniffing dog out to the track and put it by the drain of the pee trough in the bathroom and when he alerts that he smells drugs they can bring everyone that is going at that time in for further questioning. 
http://gph.is/XMLGff
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
04:03:56 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
08/15/2012
|
|
Posts:
|
1620
|
|
|
|
What about old guys...like Steve and Sammy? You might wait hours at the "trough" waiting for something to happen! 
I LEARNED ESP FROM MY MOM
"PUT YOUR SWEATER ON: DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW WHEN
YOU'RE COLD?"
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
04:10:57 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
03/18/2008
|
|
Posts:
|
1479
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: MSPN on April 04 2013 at 01:21:33 PM
Wow, sure is cheap to drug test down there. I have about 50 truck drivers working for me and it costs me/them $75 through a Consortium. I think for the most part at the upper levels of this sport a vast majority will not have a problem with this, but it does exist and I've seen (smokin' the doob) it in the pits surprisingly.....
|
Cost depends on the panels they test for. $28 is low, and $75 is high
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
04:14:55 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
03/18/2008
|
|
Posts:
|
1479
|
|
|
I drive a Truck, and have a CDL, and have been tested more times than I can even remember. I am all for these tests. If you can't pay, don't play. All professional sports should be tested. If you are part of a club, there should be a way to keep track of who has been tested, etc. If you are free range, there should be some sort of National registry. Now you guys can all jump on me about where the money will come from, where to do it, etc......I am sure it can all be figured out.....
|
|
|
|
|
April 04, 2013 at
04:17:45 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
10/08/2012
|
|
Posts:
|
76
|
|
|
|
As a holder of a class 1 trucking lic. I am in a random testing pool already. Of far more interest to me would be the testing of our congress persons and other govt employees who have the power to alter our lives. I defy you to listen to Nancy Pelosie or Harry Reid speak and tell me their not F&^% up. It should be on the car owners to keep hopped up drivers out of the seats of their cars....paul
|
|
|
