FIA gets a slating
Discussion
And check out Ted Smiths rant in response
http://competitionplus.com/drag-racing/feedback/18...
Do us europeans just sit here and take that or would a 'measured response' be worthwhile?
Probably best to ignore it and move on in the interests of international peace!
http://competitionplus.com/drag-racing/feedback/18...
Do us europeans just sit here and take that or would a 'measured response' be worthwhile?
Probably best to ignore it and move on in the interests of international peace!
Articles like this are really not helping. The attitude mainly seems to be one of immense arrogance in that Americans should somehow be exempt from FIA rules coupled with some pretty ignorant opinions of how governing bodies have to deal with drugs issues. What was beyond the pale for me was the suggestion that anti-Americanism was behind the decision and that FIA Top Fuel is "a joke of a series".
This was posted on the subjects FB comments page by Stefan Boman, which I thought summed it up rather well:
Everyone has the right to have an opinion but there are some important facts missing in Bobby Bennetts commentary that I think should be pointed out.
• If you choose to participate in any sporting competition regardless of type or location - it is this specific sporting events rules that are in progress – not any else.
• It is in all sporting competition on the drivers/teams responsibility to make yourself aware of existing rules and to follow them.
• It is in the FIA rulebook since many years back that there is an anti-doping policy according to the WADA-program. (World Anti Doping Association)
• The letter from FIA regarding this and that was distributed to all FIA teams was only a reminder of what is in the rulebook. The purpose was only to point out the importance of this in order to prevent misunderstandings like the one that led to the suspension of Tommy Johnson Jr.
• NHRA have a similar anti-drug program with random testing where they too would suspend drivers/riders from competition if they were tested positive with a non-approved substance.
• The Dexedrine Tommy Johnson Jr was tested positive for is an amphetamine prodrug that is on WADA’s A-list of most illegal substances. NHRA have the same policy against Dexedrine but have given TJ permission only from showing doctors prescription. This is something that you can apply for in FIA too but it needs to be done in advance, just like in NHRA.
• Existing rules cannot be disregarded just because the driver have failed to read and/or understand them.
This case have been a big concern for all of European drag racing where I don’t think anybody for a second think Tommy Johnson Jr did this in order to improve his performance!
TJ and the Andersen team have all respect for their racing efforts and it is the general opinion that this is a very sad story that hurt TJ and the team in a bad way that nobody is happy for, including me.
But this does not change the fact that there has been a rule violation that FIA looks very serious on. Especially with all the negative PR that doping scandals have caused in so many other sports.
If this was to be a “plastic knife” issue that FIA should look the other way for what will the next driver that is caught with a rule violation say? That his issue also was a small one and that you should ignore it as well? And who is to decide what rule-violation that you should accept and not?
It’s all right to criticize FIA and think that rules should be different. But then you need to change the rulebook – not to stop following the rules during an ongoing championship. This is what separates motor-sport from racing-exhibition.
This is not as Bobby Bennett assumes a result of arrogance, anti-Americanism or stupidity. It is the result of a driver error to make yourself aware of existing rules before you enter competition.
NHRA does exactly the same thing with zero tollerance:
This was posted on the subjects FB comments page by Stefan Boman, which I thought summed it up rather well:
Everyone has the right to have an opinion but there are some important facts missing in Bobby Bennetts commentary that I think should be pointed out.
• If you choose to participate in any sporting competition regardless of type or location - it is this specific sporting events rules that are in progress – not any else.
• It is in all sporting competition on the drivers/teams responsibility to make yourself aware of existing rules and to follow them.
• It is in the FIA rulebook since many years back that there is an anti-doping policy according to the WADA-program. (World Anti Doping Association)
• The letter from FIA regarding this and that was distributed to all FIA teams was only a reminder of what is in the rulebook. The purpose was only to point out the importance of this in order to prevent misunderstandings like the one that led to the suspension of Tommy Johnson Jr.
• NHRA have a similar anti-drug program with random testing where they too would suspend drivers/riders from competition if they were tested positive with a non-approved substance.
• The Dexedrine Tommy Johnson Jr was tested positive for is an amphetamine prodrug that is on WADA’s A-list of most illegal substances. NHRA have the same policy against Dexedrine but have given TJ permission only from showing doctors prescription. This is something that you can apply for in FIA too but it needs to be done in advance, just like in NHRA.
• Existing rules cannot be disregarded just because the driver have failed to read and/or understand them.
This case have been a big concern for all of European drag racing where I don’t think anybody for a second think Tommy Johnson Jr did this in order to improve his performance!
TJ and the Andersen team have all respect for their racing efforts and it is the general opinion that this is a very sad story that hurt TJ and the team in a bad way that nobody is happy for, including me.
But this does not change the fact that there has been a rule violation that FIA looks very serious on. Especially with all the negative PR that doping scandals have caused in so many other sports.
If this was to be a “plastic knife” issue that FIA should look the other way for what will the next driver that is caught with a rule violation say? That his issue also was a small one and that you should ignore it as well? And who is to decide what rule-violation that you should accept and not?
It’s all right to criticize FIA and think that rules should be different. But then you need to change the rulebook – not to stop following the rules during an ongoing championship. This is what separates motor-sport from racing-exhibition.
This is not as Bobby Bennett assumes a result of arrogance, anti-Americanism or stupidity. It is the result of a driver error to make yourself aware of existing rules before you enter competition.
NHRA does exactly the same thing with zero tollerance:
To start with there was mostly supporty for TJ and criticism poor fia decision.
As soon as a few Americans make anti-European comments, us Europeans are responding in nationalistic defence of European drag racing and the FIA.
I still believe this decision shows everything that is bad about a "jobs for the boys" governing body who are answerable to nobody.
As soon as a few Americans make anti-European comments, us Europeans are responding in nationalistic defence of European drag racing and the FIA.
I still believe this decision shows everything that is bad about a "jobs for the boys" governing body who are answerable to nobody.
Orly.
Drugs rules are there to be obeyed. There is a list as long as your arm of seemingly harsh decisions against drugs rule transgressions accross all sports and this must remain the case. It's about time people got the message.
I'm sorry to say; I have to agree with the FIA decision. If we want out sport to be taken seriously we can't cry off when the governing body points out a rule break. Same applies for everyone who comes under WADA's umbrella.
Drugs rules are there to be obeyed. There is a list as long as your arm of seemingly harsh decisions against drugs rule transgressions accross all sports and this must remain the case. It's about time people got the message.
I'm sorry to say; I have to agree with the FIA decision. If we want out sport to be taken seriously we can't cry off when the governing body points out a rule break. Same applies for everyone who comes under WADA's umbrella.
leffehoegaarden said:
Orly.
Drugs rules are there to be obeyed. There is a list as long as your arm of seemingly harsh decisions against drugs rule transgressions accross all sports and this must remain the case. It's about time people got the message.
I'm sorry to say; I have to agree with the FIA decision. If we want out sport to be taken seriously we can't cry off when the governing body points out a rule break. Same applies for everyone who comes under WADA's umbrella.
The sport is already taken seriously by spectators and racers. How exactly does the FIA banner make people take drag racing more seriously, I just don't get it? Drugs rules are there to be obeyed. There is a list as long as your arm of seemingly harsh decisions against drugs rule transgressions accross all sports and this must remain the case. It's about time people got the message.
I'm sorry to say; I have to agree with the FIA decision. If we want out sport to be taken seriously we can't cry off when the governing body points out a rule break. Same applies for everyone who comes under WADA's umbrella.
leffehoegaarden said:
Orly.
Drugs rules are there to be obeyed. There is a list as long as your arm of seemingly harsh decisions against drugs rule transgressions accross all sports and this must remain the case. It's about time people got the message.
I'm sorry to say; I have to agree with the FIA decision. If we want out sport to be taken seriously we can't cry off when the governing body points out a rule break. Same applies for everyone who comes under WADA's umbrella.
This.Drugs rules are there to be obeyed. There is a list as long as your arm of seemingly harsh decisions against drugs rule transgressions accross all sports and this must remain the case. It's about time people got the message.
I'm sorry to say; I have to agree with the FIA decision. If we want out sport to be taken seriously we can't cry off when the governing body points out a rule break. Same applies for everyone who comes under WADA's umbrella.
It is interesting that NHRA have made no comment as yet. Perhaps not surprising though: if your drug testing regimen had been found to fall short of the WADA guidelines (which the world governing body mandate) then perhaps you would keep schtum.
The really ironic thing is the casual racism endemic on the american boards about this. The FIA are accused of deliberately stopping an American from winning because he is American, and in the next breath we are a tinpot continent whose racers are some how sub-human. The really sad thing is that the vast majority of true drag race fans in america are lovely people and very supportive.
A few years ago I wrote a few pieces about European Drag Racing for CompetitionPlus, and I was honoured that Bobby ran them. I always had the utmost respect for Bobby. Until last week. I am sure Bobby wont lose any sleep over this. It's just a pity that his article and the responses engendered have helped reinforce the mostly false stereotype portrayed by 'Team America, World Police'
NHRA have probably not commented because usually the federation that the sportsman is registered with is required to enforce/decide the ban.
In most sports the national federation emposes the punishment. If that punishment is not deemed satisfactory by the sports governing body or WADA they can appeal to CAS.
Likewise if the subject of the ban feels it is wrong they can appeal to CAS (if they can afford to!).
In most sports the national federation emposes the punishment. If that punishment is not deemed satisfactory by the sports governing body or WADA they can appeal to CAS.
Likewise if the subject of the ban feels it is wrong they can appeal to CAS (if they can afford to!).
MajorLucky said:
i do like Jerry Lackys little dig
"Tommy Johnson Jr is,was and will alswys be a welcome "American" guest at our Event in Hockenheim and if we are luckey maybe we can see him back on our QUATERMILE track"
fingers crossed long may it stay
The attendance at Hockenheim would be the same if the event was FIA or not. As long as the prize money is good, racers will go. This is an amateur sport. "Tommy Johnson Jr is,was and will alswys be a welcome "American" guest at our Event in Hockenheim and if we are luckey maybe we can see him back on our QUATERMILE track"
fingers crossed long may it stay
Burndown said:
I still think the decision is a poor one but it has been funny seeing the American response.
Some of them really believe that TJ himself was responsible for "kicking everyone's ass". They obviously have not noticed that the Andersons have been "kicking eveyones ass" for years.
TJ must be a crap driver then.Some of them really believe that TJ himself was responsible for "kicking everyone's ass". They obviously have not noticed that the Andersons have been "kicking eveyones ass" for years.
The Enthusiast said:
Burndown said:
I still think the decision is a poor one but it has been funny seeing the American response.
Some of them really believe that TJ himself was responsible for "kicking everyone's ass". They obviously have not noticed that the Andersons have been "kicking eveyones ass" for years.
TJ must be a crap driver then.Some of them really believe that TJ himself was responsible for "kicking everyone's ass". They obviously have not noticed that the Andersons have been "kicking eveyones ass" for years.
Lets be honest, he was taking an undisclosed performance enhancing drug and got caught. It is fine saying after the event that you need it for medicinal purposes but it is typical of Americans to feel they are above rules.
Take a look at how many US sprinters and throwers have been done for drug abuse in Athletics if you want proof of this.
The victims here are the team and the series as a whole, not the driver.
Take a look at how many US sprinters and throwers have been done for drug abuse in Athletics if you want proof of this.
The victims here are the team and the series as a whole, not the driver.
Mark13 said:
Lets be honest, he was taking an undisclosed performance enhancing drug and got caught. It is fine saying after the event that you need it for medicinal purposes but it is typical of Americans to feel they are above rules.
Take a look at how many US sprinters and throwers have been done for drug abuse in Athletics if you want proof of this.
The victims here are the team aund the series as a whole, not the driver.
Your correct that TUE's are abused so that u can dope legally. My issue is that TJ's NHRA TUE should have been recognised by the FIA. Otherwise we end up having Doctors who can be trusted and those that can't.Take a look at how many US sprinters and throwers have been done for drug abuse in Athletics if you want proof of this.
The victims here are the team aund the series as a whole, not the driver.
Burndown said:
The sport is already taken seriously by spectators and racers. How exactly does the FIA banner make people take drag racing more seriously, I just don't get it?
I don't believe that you. The FIA sanctioning took a hell of a lot of work to get, both from the European teams and promoters and from the NHRA. The reason it was so important is because of the presteige it brings, it was a step nearer where we want to be as a sport. FIA recognition is vital, not only for our image but for sponsors and TV. Don't forget the money out there in motorsport land, comparativly huge budgets are spent on obscure teams in piddly backwaters of motorsport. But you can bet the snobbish attitude that the rest of British motorsport looks at us with is shared by the sponsors, potential drag race sponsors and for this to change, for someone to race the O2 funny car against the Listerine funny car we must have a professional product. Crying "It's not fair" when our championship leader in our flagship class is found to be in breach of a rule is not professional.Gassing Station | Drag Racing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff