Race licence and prohibited drugs
Discussion
Hi all,
I had a transplant operation 23 years ago and I am being prescribed a drug that's on the WADA-AMA prohibited list. It's a fairly common beta blocker called Atenolol and it keeps my blood pressure nice and steady.
Furthermore I've just noticed on the licence application that I need to state whether I have ever been refused life insurance. And I have.
What chance do I have of getting a licence? Should I give up now or take the test and the medical and see what comes back? Does anyone have any experience of this?
Any help/guidance much appreciated.
david
I had a transplant operation 23 years ago and I am being prescribed a drug that's on the WADA-AMA prohibited list. It's a fairly common beta blocker called Atenolol and it keeps my blood pressure nice and steady.
Furthermore I've just noticed on the licence application that I need to state whether I have ever been refused life insurance. And I have.
What chance do I have of getting a licence? Should I give up now or take the test and the medical and see what comes back? Does anyone have any experience of this?
Any help/guidance much appreciated.
david
David,
Speak with the MSA licencing department. They were very helpful when I had a similar problem a couple of years back. I think it was Chris Gillingham. They are used to dealing with these issues, so it's not something to avoid. The beta blocker is on the prohibited (in competition) list but they may be able to make exemptions. Certainly don't give up now.
Dan
Speak with the MSA licencing department. They were very helpful when I had a similar problem a couple of years back. I think it was Chris Gillingham. They are used to dealing with these issues, so it's not something to avoid. The beta blocker is on the prohibited (in competition) list but they may be able to make exemptions. Certainly don't give up now.
Dan
Cpl.Sparrow,
The MSA adheres to the WADA Antidoping program, which includes the issuing of "Therapeutic Use Exemptions" to deal with exactly your situation. See: http://www.wada-ama.org/en/science-medicine/tue/
The MSA will be your friend in this. Contact them first of all, asking what documentation you will need to obtain a TUE. It will almost certainly include a letter from your GP or specialist, affirming that your use of betablockers is advisable. Like the medical examination to certify your fitness to compete, you are likely be charged for this by the doctor. Sorry, but this isn't an NHS matter!
JOhn
The MSA adheres to the WADA Antidoping program, which includes the issuing of "Therapeutic Use Exemptions" to deal with exactly your situation. See: http://www.wada-ama.org/en/science-medicine/tue/
The MSA will be your friend in this. Contact them first of all, asking what documentation you will need to obtain a TUE. It will almost certainly include a letter from your GP or specialist, affirming that your use of betablockers is advisable. Like the medical examination to certify your fitness to compete, you are likely be charged for this by the doctor. Sorry, but this isn't an NHS matter!
JOhn
Although it wasn't relevant in my case, the MSA confirmed that a TUE wasn't needed unless it was a FIA event. However, you will need information from your GP etc. The licence team will confirm the exact requirements, but be aware that it's their busiest time of year so you might not get an instant response.
woof said:
You should speak to the MSA first - it's certainly not worth taking a risk and not declaring it, more so for your health than concerns over prohibited drugs. There's never been a blood test at any national event in this country.
A mate of mine was drugs tested at mallory park a few years ago! Not sure if urine ir blood! Only time ive heard of it in 14 years of racing though
A mate of mine was drugs tested at mallory park a few years ago! Not sure if urine ir blood! Only time ive heard of it in 14 years of racing though
Graham said:
woof said:
You should speak to the MSA first - it's certainly not worth taking a risk and not declaring it, more so for your health than concerns over prohibited drugs. There's never been a blood test at any national event in this country.
A mate of mine was drugs tested at mallory park a few years ago! Not sure if urine ir blood! Only time ive heard of it in 14 years of racing though
A mate of mine was drugs tested at mallory park a few years ago! Not sure if urine ir blood! Only time ive heard of it in 14 years of racing though
I did have a lot of fun once in a series that shall remain nameless (caterhams) when I convinced the whole grid there was a drug test for all drivers happening on that day. A couple of the drivers were very concerned - LOL
It's worth saying the whole procedure is pretty costly and open to so many legal problems - that it's unlikely ever to take place here. Same deal with fuel samples. I'm never known for a fuel sample to be taken because the clubs don't have the mechanisms and processes in place.
TBH im more concerned if they look at caffeine levels... i need a couple of good espressos in the morning just to function.. and get through a good amount of redbull in a race weekend..
That was the only time I've ever heard of drugs testing in club motorsport.. I have heard of some grids being brethalysed but even than only a couple of times..
Yeah the fuel testing thing is a joke, get everyone to spend 100 quid on something that will never get used, and adds a potential failure point in the fuel system.
even when they can be bothered to test for things nothing happens, see a recent MG metro race. after the race they made everyone take their inlet manifold off. they found a few cars will illegally ported heads, inc some of the front runners... what did they do sweet fa...
as for the wada list i suspect if they did test, probably 50% of people would fail as most commonly used pain killers, cold and flu tablets etc had substances on the banned list. fine if your a professional athlete with a team to look after you and pay for the expensive alternatives.. but for a clubby if you've got a cold you'll probably take a lemsip, of a vicks nasal spray.. which could get you a drugs ban!!!! certainly the nasal spray cost one british ski racer his medal!!!
how many people are going to check before they take something over the counter... nada i suspect. its a joke., like many of the fia rules
That was the only time I've ever heard of drugs testing in club motorsport.. I have heard of some grids being brethalysed but even than only a couple of times..
Yeah the fuel testing thing is a joke, get everyone to spend 100 quid on something that will never get used, and adds a potential failure point in the fuel system.
even when they can be bothered to test for things nothing happens, see a recent MG metro race. after the race they made everyone take their inlet manifold off. they found a few cars will illegally ported heads, inc some of the front runners... what did they do sweet fa...
as for the wada list i suspect if they did test, probably 50% of people would fail as most commonly used pain killers, cold and flu tablets etc had substances on the banned list. fine if your a professional athlete with a team to look after you and pay for the expensive alternatives.. but for a clubby if you've got a cold you'll probably take a lemsip, of a vicks nasal spray.. which could get you a drugs ban!!!! certainly the nasal spray cost one british ski racer his medal!!!
how many people are going to check before they take something over the counter... nada i suspect. its a joke., like many of the fia rules
Edited by Graham on Friday 6th December 11:01
corporalsparrow said:
Thanks very much for all the comments. It's heartening to read them (no pun intended). I'll get onto the MSA today.
Thanks again,
yeah they will usually try hard to get you out. everything I've come across someone with an issue the msa have been great at helping out if possibleThanks again,
I can only agree with you - scrutineering is woefully bad and the same goes for applying technical regs. The stuff some people get away it is crazy. No one has the balls to throw someone out because they want the entry fees. But oddly they're happy to apply driving standard penalties (mostly incorrectly) Happens all the way up the ladder as well - Russian Time in GP2, were constantly outside the regs in someway or another this year. A behind the scenes slap on the wrist and don't do it again, then they go off and "bend" another reg.
Graham said:
TBH im more concerned if they look at caffeine levels... i need a couple of good espressos in the morning just to function.. and get through a good amount of redbull in a race weekend..
That was the only time I've ever heard of drugs testing in club motorsport.. I have heard of some grids being brethalysed but even than only a couple of times..
Yeah the fuel testing thing is a joke, get everyone to spend 100 quid on something that will never get used, and adds a potential failure point in the fuel system.
even when they can be bothered to test for things nothing happens, see a recent MG metro race. after the race they made everyone take their inlet manifold off. they found a few cars will illegally ported heads, inc some of the front runners... what did they do sweet fa...
as for the wada list i suspect if they did test, probably 50% of people would fail as most commonly used pain killers, cold and flu tablets etc had substances on the banned list. fine if your a professional athlete with a team to look after you and pay for the expensive alternatives.. but for a clubby if you've got a cold you'll probably take a lemsip, of a vicks nasal spray.. which could get you a drugs ban!!!! certainly the nasal spray cost one british ski racer his medal!!!
how many people are going to check before they take something over the counter... nada i suspect. its a joke., like many of the fia rules
That was the only time I've ever heard of drugs testing in club motorsport.. I have heard of some grids being brethalysed but even than only a couple of times..
Yeah the fuel testing thing is a joke, get everyone to spend 100 quid on something that will never get used, and adds a potential failure point in the fuel system.
even when they can be bothered to test for things nothing happens, see a recent MG metro race. after the race they made everyone take their inlet manifold off. they found a few cars will illegally ported heads, inc some of the front runners... what did they do sweet fa...
as for the wada list i suspect if they did test, probably 50% of people would fail as most commonly used pain killers, cold and flu tablets etc had substances on the banned list. fine if your a professional athlete with a team to look after you and pay for the expensive alternatives.. but for a clubby if you've got a cold you'll probably take a lemsip, of a vicks nasal spray.. which could get you a drugs ban!!!! certainly the nasal spray cost one british ski racer his medal!!!
how many people are going to check before they take something over the counter... nada i suspect. its a joke., like many of the fia rules
Edited by Graham on Friday 6th December 11:01
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