NZ race driver banned after positive drug test
Discussion
NZ race driver banned after positive drug test
NZ Herald Article
I don't particularly want to dis the individual who got caught here, but it's about time !!!
From time to time I have also wondered about some individuals who attend trackdays as well, but I suppose testing of trackday drivers will never happen. Statistically the biggest risk is probably from them being on the turps until the wee small hours before a trackday.
NZ Herald Article
I don't particularly want to dis the individual who got caught here, but it's about time !!!
From time to time I have also wondered about some individuals who attend trackdays as well, but I suppose testing of trackday drivers will never happen. Statistically the biggest risk is probably from them being on the turps until the wee small hours before a trackday.
At some trackdays I've been at I'm pretty sure if you banned on cannibis and blood alcohol you'd quite possibly end up with a near-empty pitlane. Certainly if they did the same at a drift-event (which is a MSNZ series now, so they should be!) Then I reckon you'd quite possibly end up with much of NZ's top championship drivers being banned too (and rightly so!).
I think it's an excellent move and has my full support. Motorsport is a rare sport where a very small error of a competitor's judgement can result in serious injury, and/or death, to other competitors and bystanders and zero-tolerance needs to be shown.
In Dale Lambert's defence, he states that he admits to drug use far before the event. But even so, I reckon if you're competing in tier 1-2 (or even club) motorsport events you have a right to protect yourself and your fellow competitors. This would mean staying whistle-clean drugs wise and, most likely, staying off the turps close to an event.
I think it's an excellent move and has my full support. Motorsport is a rare sport where a very small error of a competitor's judgement can result in serious injury, and/or death, to other competitors and bystanders and zero-tolerance needs to be shown.
In Dale Lambert's defence, he states that he admits to drug use far before the event. But even so, I reckon if you're competing in tier 1-2 (or even club) motorsport events you have a right to protect yourself and your fellow competitors. This would mean staying whistle-clean drugs wise and, most likely, staying off the turps close to an event.
Colonial said:
As the article says, it was for Cannabis
Now, the way the tests work, he could have had a Joint up to 4 weeks beforehand and still be done for it, despite not being under the influence
Which is hardly fair imo. How does it create a dangerous situation?
To my mind, if there's evidence of it in the blood, it can still have a minor effect on you. It's that simple.Now, the way the tests work, he could have had a Joint up to 4 weeks beforehand and still be done for it, despite not being under the influence
Which is hardly fair imo. How does it create a dangerous situation?
Sure he obviously wasn't stoned while he was out there but that matters little.
Besides, cannabis is an illegal, banned substance... I'm all in favour of locking anyone who uses it up.... but that's just me.
Esprit said:
To my mind, if there's evidence of it in the blood, it can still have a minor effect on you. It's that simple.
Sure he obviously wasn't stoned while he was out there but that matters little.
Besides, cannabis is an illegal, banned substance... I'm all in favour of locking anyone who uses it up.... but that's just me.
The presence of Cannabis in the blood does not mean you are still under the effects of it - all effects can be long gone, but the evidence that you used it remains. has been proven time and time again - no effect on reflexes or anything like that. Sure he obviously wasn't stoned while he was out there but that matters little.
Besides, cannabis is an illegal, banned substance... I'm all in favour of locking anyone who uses it up.... but that's just me.
To my mind it is highly unfair that someone should be penalised in this manner for something that in all probability was taken weeks before the event.
Considering the effects of Cannabis in moderation and all those things (and no, I am in no way a regular user) I find the demonisation of someone for this more than a little strange. I'm sure locking someone up for the equivalent of drinking 3 beers makes sense somewhere, it's just a little lost on me.
Colonial said:
The presence of Cannabis in the blood does not mean you are still under the effects of it - all effects can be long gone, but the evidence that you used it remains. has been proven time and time again - no effect on reflexes or anything like that.
To my mind it is highly unfair that someone should be penalised in this manner for something that in all probability was taken weeks before the event.
Considering the effects of Cannabis in moderation and all those things (and no, I am in no way a regular user) I find the demonisation of someone for this more than a little strange. I'm sure locking someone up for the equivalent of drinking 3 beers makes sense somewhere, it's just a little lost on me.
Sorry, zero sympathy from me.To my mind it is highly unfair that someone should be penalised in this manner for something that in all probability was taken weeks before the event.
Considering the effects of Cannabis in moderation and all those things (and no, I am in no way a regular user) I find the demonisation of someone for this more than a little strange. I'm sure locking someone up for the equivalent of drinking 3 beers makes sense somewhere, it's just a little lost on me.
Cannabis is illegal for starters, and the traces of the drug were still found in his blood. Therefore his system had not fully metabolised it yet, therefore there's still the potential for some (albeit very very very minor) effect.
In the end it's a risk you can choose to take or not... he played with fire and got burned.
Esprit said:
Sorry, zero sympathy from me.
Cannabis is illegal for starters, and the traces of the drug were still found in his blood. Therefore his system had not fully metabolised it yet, therefore there's still the potential for some (albeit very very very minor) effect.
In the end it's a risk you can choose to take or not... he played with fire and got burned.
I'd put having a quiet joint in the privacy of your home 2 weeks before an event far, far, far, far below drunk and disorderly 2 nights before. Cannabis is illegal for starters, and the traces of the drug were still found in his blood. Therefore his system had not fully metabolised it yet, therefore there's still the potential for some (albeit very very very minor) effect.
In the end it's a risk you can choose to take or not... he played with fire and got burned.
Care to explain how miniscule traces of cannabis in the blood cause any noticeable effect when clinical studies have not been able to prove anything?
Personally I think they have been a bit heavy handed, a disqualification from the days racing and, maybe, a small fine would probably be enough for a first offence. As agreed by everyone, cannabis stays in the system for a long time, things would be different if it was a positive test for P, coke, ecstasy, etc.
Esprit said:
Besides, cannabis is an illegal, banned substance... I'm all in favour of locking anyone who uses it up.... but that's just me.
Well, there lies the answer then.Please sir,do tell us your esteemed opinion, as to why locking up people suffering from a diagnosed and recognized disease such as addiction, is helpfull.
Ignorance can be a form of denial.
Paul, I'm anti drugs, always have been, always will be (other than drugs for treatment of illness, obviously). I class alcohol along with this, when used in any more than moderation.
Given the grave consequences of making a very very small error in judgement in motorsport, probably moreso than in any other sport I'm fully in support of them taking the hardest line possible.
Given the grave consequences of making a very very small error in judgement in motorsport, probably moreso than in any other sport I'm fully in support of them taking the hardest line possible.
I think what we need to remember here is that as a competitive driver he should have been aware of the consequences of taking drugs/drinking or whatever within certain time limits. Basically, if you know the rules before you start competing you've only yourself to blame if you get caught. The fact that he admitted to taking the drugs also removes the possibility that he was set-up which is something I'm sure happens in athletics for example. Was the penalty harsh? I suspect it was deliberately harsh to send out a message but that's just my opinion.
These sorts of tests take place all the time in the private sector. My wife used to conduct pre-employment tests and frequently had guys turning up half stoned! Some had tests so high they shouldn't even have been allowed out the house let alone driving to an interview.
I personally think Canabis falls into a bit of a grey area. I've known dozens of people who have partaken over the years with seemingly no adverse affects. I've also know one or two individuals who just can't stop and have lost their jobs and even ended up addicted to much harder drugs. You could say exactly the same thing about drinking of course and I believe it comes down to the individuals personality.
These sorts of tests take place all the time in the private sector. My wife used to conduct pre-employment tests and frequently had guys turning up half stoned! Some had tests so high they shouldn't even have been allowed out the house let alone driving to an interview.
I personally think Canabis falls into a bit of a grey area. I've known dozens of people who have partaken over the years with seemingly no adverse affects. I've also know one or two individuals who just can't stop and have lost their jobs and even ended up addicted to much harder drugs. You could say exactly the same thing about drinking of course and I believe it comes down to the individuals personality.
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