Drug testing for local tracks , good or bad idea

[Groundpounder]

Well, since the recent sprint car tragedy , it was reported that the victim had drugs in his system, enough to be impaired. Contributing factor? Who knows.
That's not the discussion point here. Should local tracks have alcohol tests? Random drug tests? What if the driver has recently been arrested for a DUI and/or possession? I know of at least two local drivers that have been arrested for such (cocaine) in the last 12 months... they still race! I won't name names, but it's fact. Do you want to be on the track next to them? Or maybe be a track worker? Maybe we have too many racers, it's hard to enforce any rules? If someone gets hurt does the track have any responsibility to you competitors to make sure that your competition is in their right mind? I have suspected a few questionable folks myself over the years.
What would you tolerate as acceptable?

BTW, some racers, it's debatable if they are in their right mind even without drugs!

[egspeedway]

A very slippery slope for track owner/operators. Perhaps a simpler solution would be if insurance companies could be absolved if drugs /alcohol are shown to have contributed to a claim. I know lawyers will say they can get around it but it may make competitors think twice before consuming and racing. From a moral standpoint I consider this using and driving to be just as egregious as the teams that support their racing through trafficking in drugs.

[Matt Albee]

There are a few things to keep in mind when you try to test for drugs.
1. The tester is liable in case they reach the wrong conclusion, and that opens them up to a lawsuit. Mistakes in drug testing happen often.
2. Short tracks would have to write, and then universally adopt comprehensive rules for what's legal and how much. If all the tracks didn't have the same rules, and the same tester, testing would be meaningless. So would penalties if they were different from track to track. Look how much furor is caused by race car rules from track to track.
3.As Egspeedway points out, lawyers can and will get around almost any ruling a track makes if the racer has the money to pursue it.
4. Absolving Insurance companies of responsibility if drugs or alcohol is involved would alter things, but leave the racetrack, it's sponsors, and everyone else even remotely involved to shoulder the payout. And that would wipe out a track/series.

[Phil Jacques]

Why don't we take a look at where Drug Testing has been working well for years with no ill effects...

http://competitionplus.com/drag-raci...e-abuse-policy

When I received my first NHRA license back in 2005, I had to submit to a piss test... Everyone should at every level.

[Lurkin]

Would we have to cancel the annual Nose Candy Memorial?

[egspeedway]

Would we have to cancel the annual Nose Candy Memorial?

I always knew it could snow in Florida I was never at the right place when it did.

[OldSchool+]

The use of opiates, natural or synthetic, or any of the "meth" type drugs could put the user or anyone within their reach in considerable danger, IMO.

[Phil Jacques]

The use of opiates, natural or synthetic, or any of the "meth" type drugs could put the user or anyone within their reach in considerable danger, IMO.

Any drug can impair your judgement enough to put anyone in danger... Types of drugs are irrelevant. They all need to be banned.

[Groundpounder]

We all are in agreement about illegal drugs and racing. Should tracks and sanctioning bodies around here test? It's a different world today and with the legalization possible for grass, if you have a prescription could you race?

[Phil Jacques]

We all are in agreement about illegal drugs and racing. Should tracks and sanctioning bodies around here test? It's a different world today and with the legalization possible for grass, if you have a prescription could you race?

It's legal to drink beer, but illegal to drink and drive. Would be the same level. They just have to find a way to police it in accordance with the lifted bans on recreational use... Does that make sense? I may be under the influence of a Redds lol

[turnleft]

Testing

Drug testing has become very enexpensive and accurate. 30-60 dollars per person, and it is just about 100 percent accurate. There would be no down side to drug testing, and I am sure the track would get discounts on there insurance, if the had a drug free facility, just like drug free workplace discounts. A pee test is fast and enexpensive, but only shows drugs in system for a few weeks. A hair drug test take a little longer and cost a little more, but can detect drugs up to about 6 months.

Start off by giving discounts to drivers that get a "drug free card" the first year, (5 bucks off pit entry) or something like that. There are many drug testing companies out there that would come set up right at the track! The drug testing companies, would then supply the track with a list of drivers who where tested.

It is very simple and cheap. There is no room for drugs in racing.!

[pitbull113]

Back in the 90's when I ran enduros in NJ we had to take a breathalizer test administered by the State Police before the race. Good times. Then again if more guys would smoke weed before a race I'd probably finish closer to the front..

[mpf74]

check in tech

whoever they roll thru tech, check them, that way at least if they are doped they will intentionally finish outside 3 or 4. if they fail test, DQ and large fine to be paid before allowed to race again. testing around 15-20 racers per night is feasible.

[Phil Jacques]

whoever they roll thru tech, check them, that way at least if they are doped they will intentionally finish outside 3 or 4. if they fail test, DQ and large fine to be paid before allowed to race again. testing around 15-20 racers per night is feasible.

And then you get the same back of the pack hacks high on dope still on a weekly basis... So then is your testing policy REALLY working? No, it's not. It doesn't matter if a driver in the front or in the back it still puts drivers in danger. Your mentality on this matter is just ridiculous.

There's a simple way to do it, and it's the same way the NHRA does it. I posted the link before but I guess people don't want to click a link so I will post the whole policy. It's a policy that is simple, and works.

__________________________________________________ ____________

SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY (Ref. 2009 NHRA Rulebook, pgs 28-31, sec 1.7)
NHRACDR.jpgEnhancing the safety and integrity of NHRA drag racing is of paramount concern to the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). Substance abuse is fundamentally inconsistent with increased safety and with the integrity of a drag racing program. Accordingly, NHRA has established this Substance Abuse Policy.

Individuals applying for a Competition License or participating in NHRA national or member track events shall be deemed to have consented to any tests for prohibited substances and alcohol required by the NHRA or its designated administrator. As a condition of continued participation and/or the retention of a Competition License, all drivers and officials must comply with the Substance Abuse Policy and submit to such testing procedures as may be conducted from time to time at the sole discretion of the Independent Drug Program Administrator (IDPA). Violation of the Substance Abuse Policy, or failure or refusal to submit to testing and honestly participate in any testing procedure, will result in immediate disciplinary action, which may include the cancellation of a Competition License and/or denial of the privilege to participate in any NHRA sanctioned or member track event.

I. Prohibited Acts and Substances:
A. NHRA drivers and officials are prohibited from consuming, possessing, ingesting or otherwise using prohibited substances.
1. Prohibited substances are those substances which may adversely affect the safety or integrity of the sport of drag racing and are identified as follows: amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP).
2. The list of prohibited substances is subject to change upon the publishing of advance notice not less than ninety (90) days prior to such change.
B. At any time when involved in racetrack activities, drivers and officials are prohibited from being under the influence of alcohol.
1. There shall a "zero tolerance" policy with regard to alcohol. Any driver or official discovered to have a measurable blood alcohol content during racetrack activities shall be deemed under the influence of alcohol and shall be immediately barred from any further involvement or participation in the event. Further, he or she will be subject to disciplinary action as provided for in this Substance Abuse Policy.
2. Nothing contained above shall preclude NHRA officials from determining that a person, without measurable blood alcohol content, is physically unfit to participate in an NHRA event or from taking such action as the NHRA deems appropriate.

II. Random-Selection Testing:
Drivers and officials may be required to submit to urine, blood, breath, and/or saliva testing. Unannounced random tests of drivers and officials for prohibited substances and alcohol will be conducted from time to time at the sole discretion of the Independent Drug Program Administrator (IDPA). Individuals who are not selected for random tests, but who wish to voluntarily submit to testing, shall be subject to the same requirements and penalties as those who are randomly selected.
A. Driver selection shall be made at random, with all drivers having an equal chance of selection.
B. Race officials involved with safety or the outcome of an event shall also be subject to random testing each time random testing for drivers is conducted.

III. Reasonable-Suspicion Testing:
A. Drivers and officials may be required to submit urine, blood, breath, and/or saliva testing if there exists reasonable suspicion that a person may be under the influence of a prohibited substance and/or alcohol during any racetrack activity.
B. In addition, a driver or official may be required to submit to a urine, blood, breath, and/or saliva test following any incident or accident involving injury, death, or property damage.

IV. Independent Drug Program Administrator:
A. NHRA will designate an Independent Drug Program Administrator (IDPA) to design and implement the Substance Abuse Program nationwide.
B. Detailed guidelines for the implementation and administration of the Substance Abuse Program are provided in the NHRA Drug Testing Policy and Procedure Manual, which is hereby incorporated in this Substance Abuse Policy by reference. Copies are available upon request.


V. Testing Laboratory:
A. All specimen testing will be conducted at a laboratory or laboratories selected by the Independent Drug Program Administrator (IDPA) and conducted according to testing methodologies outlined in the NHRA Drug Testing Policy and Procedure Manual.
B. Any testing laboratory used must conform to the standards established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

VI. First Positive Test Result:
Results of a first positive test will be presented to the Medical Review Officer (MRO), a licensed physician selected by the Independent Drug Program Administrator (IDPA).

A driver or official who, for the first time, tests positive for a prohibitive substance or alcohol will be notified of the test results and directed, by the Medical Review Officer (MRO) to participate in counseling and/or treatment from a substance abuse professional approved by the Medical Review Officer (MRO). The driver or official shall be required, within 7 days of such notification, to 1) report to an approved substance abuse professional for evaluation as directed, and 2) voluntarily submit to urine, blood, breath, and/or saliva testing which yields a negative test result for a prohibited substance or alcohol. Should such driver or official refuse or fail, within the time specified, to fully comply with the requirements listed above, NHRA will be notified of the verified positive result and the MRO referral to a substance abuse professional. The driver or official will then immediately be suspended from participation in any NHRA event until the requirements listed above are fully complied with. Thereafter, should the driver or official refuse or fail to participate in the directed treatment program or fail to successfully adhere to all treatment program requirements, such refusal or failure shall be reported by the Medical Review Officer (MRO) or Independent Drug Program Administrator (IDPA) to the NHRA and shall be deemed a first reported violation.

VII. First Reported Violation:
A first reported violation shall be deemed a violation of the provisions of Section I of this policy. The penalties for a first reported violation shall be:
1. Suspension from participation in any NHRA Championship Drag Racing sanctioned event and any NHRA member track event for a period of one (1) year.
2. A fine of $2,500. All fines must be paid, in full, before the privilege of participation will be reinstated.

In addition to the invoked penalties, the driver or official will be required to complete the treatment and/or counseling recommended by the substance abuse professional prior to resuming participation in any NHRA events.

VIII. Second or Subsequent Positive Test Result:
Results of a second or subsequent positive test will be presented to the Medical Review Officer (MRO). Upon receipt, the Medical Review Officer (MRO) or Independent Drug Program Administrator (IDPA) shall report the second or subsequent positive test result to NHRA, which shall be deemed a second or subsequent reported violation.

IX. Second or Subsequent Reported Violation:
A second or subsequent reported violation shall be deemed a violation of Section I of this policy.

The penalty for a second or subsequent violation shall be permanent suspension from participating in any NHRA Championship Drag Racing sanctioned event and any NHRA member track event.

X. Noncompliance:
A driver or official who commits any of the following acts or omissions shall be deemed to be in noncompliance of the Substance Abuse Policy. For a first-time noncompliance, such driver or official shall be subject to the same penalties imposed under Section VII; for a second or subsequent noncompliance, the penalties imposed under Section IX shall apply. Noncompliance shall be:
1. Refusing to submit to a urine, blood, breath, and/or saliva test under any provision of this policy;
2. Attempting to or falsifying, altering, or otherwise tampering with any test sample;
3. Attempting to or falsifying, altering, or otherwise tampering with any documentation related to this Substance Abuse Policy;
4. Attempting to or withholding required information;
5. Refusing or failing to comply with any other procedures related to the Substance Abuse Program Testing.

XI. Appeals:
A. Except as otherwise provided herein, applicable provisions of the NHRA Rulebook regarding appeals shall apply.
B. Appeal of disciplinary actions levied under this policy:
1. Appeal of disciplinary actions imposed by NHRA must be made, in writing, and within thirty (30) days of notification of the penalty, to the NHRA, c/o Appeals. Specific procedures for such an appeal are provided in the NHRA Rulebook.
2. There shall be no provision to allow a person to participate in any NHRA Championship Drag Racing sanctioned event or member track event while appealing a suspension related to the use or abuse of a prohibited substance or alcohol
C. Any Notice of and Grounds for Appeal brought under this Substance Abuse Policy shall include a $1,500 filing fee, which shall be nonrefundable unless the Appeals Panel decides the appeal in favor of the participant.

XII. Release of Information:
NHRA reserves the right to release and disclose the results of any substance abuse test performed under this policy, details pertaining to the violation, together with any medical information, conclusions, and interpretations related to such test results or the performance of such tests.

XIII. Waiver and Hold-Harmless Agreement:
Each participant hereby agrees to hold harmless NHRA, its directors, officers, employees and officials, the racetrack operator and event sponsors, the Independent Drug Program Administrator (IDPA), and all other persons involved in the administration of the program, and agrees to waive all claims against such persons for any damages, losses, or expenses of any kind that might result directly or indirectly from the NHRA Substance Abuse Policy or its implementation, including, but not limited to, actions that NHRA might take in reliance upon information produced through the Substance Abuse Testing Program.

For more information, call First Lab, Independent Drug Program Administrator, at (800) 732-3784; in Canada (215) 540-1651.

[Groundpounder]

You know I don't have a good answer...this has been swept under the rug probably for a long time. I figured that guys and gals smarter than me could have some good ideas.
It looks like the drag racing crowd is serious about this and good for them. The SCCA rulebook is very vague on the subject (which surprised me) and open to very wide interpretation. I guess each track has it's own rules, you know, "guys and gals, drugs not allowed"...
I have to recall an instance at Sunshine years ago. They were strict about alcohol in the pits...PERIOD! The owner (female) caught a crew member after his driver's race with a beer...he was banned from the pits for the rest of the year!