BIRD GETS DRUG -TEST RELATED EIGHT-YEAR MOTORSPORT BAN
BTRDA Rally Series frontrunner Paul Bird has received an eight-year competition ban after he was found guilty of evading a drugs test by the UK Anti Doping Panel.
Bird had been fighting for the BTRDA Gold Star championship in his Ford Focus WRC07 alongside eventual winner Matt Edwards, before he stopped competing after winning the Carlisle Stages Rally.
He had received a two-year ban in 2015 for testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine and diuretics, following his win on the Nicky Grist Stages in July. Bird then returned after his ban mid-way through 2017.
However, Bird was charged by the National Anti-doping Panel Tribunal with “evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection” with the incident relating to the Rallynuts Stages on April 14, 2018.
UK Anti Doping has now banned him from competition sanctioned by the UK governing body, Motorsport UK, for eight years starting from July 11, 2018.
He did compete on two events after the Rallynuts Stages, the Plains Rally, which he finished third on, and he took victory on the Carlisle Stages.
Governing body Motorsport UK confirmed to Motorsport News the reason why Bird was able to carry on competing, and that it was working to improve knowledge when it comes to doping and test related matters.
“The licence suspension wasn’t imposed immediately after the Rallynuts Stages because any alleged violation of anti-doping rules first needs to be properly investigated before action is taken,” a Motorsport UK spokesperson said.
“Between the dates of the Rallynuts Stages [April 14, 2018] and the charge [July 11, 2018], UKAD was investigating the case pursuant to our anti-doping rules.
“Motorsport UK has been proactive on anti-doping education and awareness, providing opportunities for all competitors to understand the protocols they sign up to. As with everything we do, our work in this area is under regular review.
“Anyone wanting to know more about anti-doping in motorsport can visit motorsportuk.org/competitors/ Anti-doping.”
Paul Bird does not wish to comment to Motorsport News at this time.
Article 10.12.1 in the UK Anti Doping Rules state: “An athlete or other person who has been declared ineligible may not, during the period of ineligibility, participate in any capacity in a competition, event or other activity.”