Doping in auto racing

Part of a series on
Doping in sport
Substances and types Anabolic steroids Blood doping Gene doping Cannabinoids Diuretics Painkillers Sedatives Stem cell doping Stimulants Beta2-adrenergic agonist Clenbuterol Ephedrine EPO Human growth hormone Methylhexanamine SARMs Stanozolol Tetrahydrogestrinone
Terminology Abortion doping Biological passport Blood-spinning Doping test Performance-enhancing drugs Repoxygen Stem cell doping Whizzinator
History Olympics Tour de France (1998, 1999, 2007) Auto racing BALCO scandal Clemson University steroid scandal U of South Carolina steroid scandal Dubin Inquiry Association Football China East Germany Russia United States Festina affair Floyd Landis case Game of Shadows Juiced L.A. Confidentiel Lance Armstrong History of allegations Doping case Operación Puerto Steroid use in American football Steroid use in baseball Pittsburgh drug trials Barry Bonds perjury case Mitchell Report Biogenesis baseball scandal
Doping-related lists Doping cases in Sport Athletics Cycling Doping at the Olympic Games Doping at the World Championships in Athletics Stripped Olympic medals Stripped European Athletics C'ships medals Drugs banned from the Olympics MLB players suspended for doping MLB players in the Mitchell Report
Anti-doping bodies World Anti-Doping Agency List of national anti-doping organizations Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority French Anti-Doping Agency National Anti-Doping Agency Russian Anti-Doping Agency UK Anti-Doping United States Anti-Doping Agency

Some racing drivers have used doping in auto racing to enhance their performance. Deemed unsafe and illegal by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Appendix A to the International Sporting Code determines which substances are banned and mandates penalties.

Appendix A to the International Sporting Code

The Appendix regarding doping in auto racing was added on 1 December 2010 after consultation with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The regulations apply to all FIA and national sanctioned events. The FIA adopts the banned substance list issued by WADA. The FIA has added alcohol and beta blockers to the list.^[1] The FIA will test at random from a pre determined pool of drivers. The national sanctioning body will test a number of athletes during their events.

In case of a positive doping test, the driver in question will be disqualified, have his/hers results forfeited and has to return all their winnings. In case of negligence by the driver will only be disqualified for the event on hand. In case of a second violation the driver will be banned from the sport for six months. More severe penalties could be imposed, depending on the circumstances. The driver has to pay back price money won. A fine of up to € 15.000 can be imposed.^[2]

INDYCAR

Since the series inception in 1996, INDYCAR has a substance abuse policy in place. The policy is applied to all series sanctioned by INDYCAR, currently the IndyCar Series, Indy Lights, Pro Mazda, USF2000 and Global MX-5 Cup. Drivers, crew and officials can be subjected to testing (depending on the series). The INDYCAR organisation can subject subjects to test at random. INDYCAR may require a drug test also in events of 'reasonable suspicion'. Reasonable suspicion includes, but is not limited to, violent temper or an accident during the event. When a driver is tested positive for performance enhancing drugs (PED) the driver will be suspended for one year. A fine of $ 5.000 wil also be imposed. With a non-PED positive test (alcohol for example) the driver will be suspended for no less than sixty days. A fine of $ 2.500 wil also be imposed.

In the case of multiple violations the driver will be penalized again. The height of the penalty will be determined by the specific circumstances. The driver may return to competition after psychological and medical evaluation.^[3]

NASCAR

A.J. Allmendinger

NASCAR has its own anti doping regulations. The substance abuse policy was first implemented in the late 1980s. Flaws in the systems allowed drivers to continue to use banned substances. One notorious case was that of Aaron Fike. After being arrested for heroin possession, Fike admitted using black tar heroin during race weekends.^[4] In 2009, Jeremy Mayfield failed a drug test for methamphetamine with his stepmother declaring Mayfield has used meth as early as 1998. After sitting out the initial penalty, Mayfield tested positive again.^[5] Mayfield could return to NASCAR competition after completing the Road to Recovery. The driver however has questioned the credibility of the testing laboratory recognized by NASCAR.^[6]

Following the case of Fike and the case of Mayfield, the policy was overhauled. A.J. Allmendinger was one of the first big name drivers failing a drug test. Allmendinger tested positive for Adderall. Allmendinger was suspended, fired by team owner Roger Penske, and returned to competition 2,5 months.^[7] Because of the nature of the NASCAR garage, drivers and crew members can be tested by the organisation, especially because performance enhancing drugs can be abused by crew members. Crew chief Todd Parrott, for driver Aric Almirola, tested positive for an 'undisclosed substance'. The NASCAR policy is consistent with the FIA's policy.^[8]

In 2018 28-year old Spencer Gallagher won his first NASCAR Xfinity Series race on 28th of April. On May 1st Gallagher failed the drug test. Gallagher was suspended indefinitely and agreed to join the Road to Recovery program.^[9]n

After testing positive for a banned substance, the person in question is suspended indefinitely. To return to competition the person needs to complete the NASCAR Road to Recovery and have a Road to Recovery Plan approved. The plan includes treatment, rehabilitation, counseling and other measures necessary to prevent repetition.^[10]

USAC

The United States Auto Club has implemented a substance abuse policy since 2008.^[11] USAC also has a self determined list of banned substances, with the exclusion of prescription medication (used in accordance with the purpose and instruction). The policy states that USAC has to have reasonable suspicion that banned substances are used. The policy states (but is not limited to) a list of symptoms for drug and/or alcohol use. USAC also has the right to test at random. With a positive drug or alcohol test the USAC Director of Competition may suspend the driver indefinitely. After the failure of a drug test, the driver can return to competition after a negative drug test after the suspension period. After a failed alcohol test, the driver only has to sit out the suspended period. In both cases the driver will be subjected to more frequent tests in the future.^[12]

World Racing Group

The World Racing Group, sanctioning body of the World of Outlaws and DIRTcar series, started regularly testing the sprint car and late model series drivers in 2017.^[13] Drivers will only be tested through urinalysis. The random selection process will take place on the day of the event, treating full season drivers and parttime drivers equally.^[14] After a positive test, the driver receives a fine and will be banned from competition. After three failed tests (and three penalties) the driver can only return to competition after two negative tests and approval from World Racing Group.^[15]

Justin Ratliff was the first driver hit with a penalty. Ratliff refused a drug test after the 2017 DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in February. Because of the refusal Ratliff was fined in accordance of the first offense with a 90 day suspension.^[16] In June 2017, Brian Lay tested positive after the World of Outlaws event at Eldora Speedway. He was also fined in accordance with a first offense.^[17] In July Jacob Hawkins failed a drug test after the Dirt Late Model Dream event at Eldora Speedway.^[18]

IMCA

The International Motor Contest Association, the oldest active motorsports sanctioning body in the United States, has regulations with regard to drugs and alcohol. The 2017 IMCA General Rules and Procedures state the following with regard to drugs and alcohol: Consumption of alcoholic beverage by driver or his/her crew in advance of, or while competing in any IMCA sanctioned program is strictly forbidden. Any driver showing evidence of alcohol consumption will be required to leave the premises immediately and may be subject to a fine of no less than $250. Use of illegal drugs at any time shall be cause for immediate, indefinite suspension and/or fine of no less than $250.^[19]

Notable cases

Tomáš Enge

Tomáš Enge

See also: Tomáš Enge

During the 2002 International Formula 3000 Championship Czech racer Tomáš Enge tested positive after the race at the Hungaroring. Enge raced the remaining rounds of the championship while there was an investigation. The Czech driver went on to win the championship, however the FIA determined in October that the test was positive and Enge was disqualified from the Hungaroring round. Enge dropped to third in the championship standings and Sebastien Bourdais was the official champion.^[20] In 2012 Enge again tested positive for a banned substance. After the 2012 FIA GT1 Navarra round Enge tested positive, him claiming it was a drug for medical purposes. The FIA banned Enge from motorsports for 18 months.^[21] He returned to competition in 2014 racing in the Blancpain Endurance Series.

References