Driver Admits to Heroin Use Before Races

Aaron Fike's admission to heroin use before races signals the need for mandatory drug testing in racing. Racing has inherent danger without adding drug abuse to the equation.

Professional sports have battled drug use for many years. Lately, the emphasis has been placed on the need to educate people on the dangers of performance enhancing drugs. Almost every ESPN “Sportscenter” telecast tells of another athlete that faces indictment or accusations of performance enhancing drug use.

This week brought news of an athlete’s drug use in a sport that is omitted from steroid investigations. Aaron Fike’s admission to heroin use before races implores the need for drug testing in motorsport. Until recently, racing has often been forced to react to situations. Some of the current safety measures in NASCAR can be traced to reactions from Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s fatal accident. Head and neck restraints (HANS device) and the steel and foam energy reduction walls (SAFER barriers) were developed in the wake of life threatening and fatal racing accidents.

When drug use in sports comes up in conversation, most people think of football players and other sports that rely on strength and speed. Performance enhancing drug use does not lead to increased results in auto racing. A competitive chess player would have better uses for steroids than a racecar driver.

Several season’s ago Tomas Enge was suspended for a positive drug test. NASCAR has essentially banned Shane Hmiel for substance abuse. However, there is no comprehensive drug testing procedure in NASCAR. What is even more frightening than the dangers of heroin use on Fike is the possibility of death for the other drivers. NASCAR is very lucky that there were no injuries or deaths as a result of his heroin abuse. I sincerely hope that Aaron Fike gets the help that he needs and racing puts in measures to prevent this from happening again.

2007 photo of Aaron Fike at Kentucky Speedway courtesy of CIA Stock Photography
Read more!

New Look Indy Racing League Loses Racing Pioneer and Gentleman

Walker Racing has announced that racing operations have ceased. Derrick Walker joins a list, that includes Forsythe Racing, of teams who have decided against joining the revamped IRL due to lack of funds and sponsorship concerns.

The merger between the Indy Racing League and the Champ Car World Series has been highly anticipated. Fans of open wheel racing in North America may be the losers in a fight that has lasted too long. Auto racing thrives on sponsorship dollars and the merger coupled with NASCAR’s enormous popularity has caused a classy racing pioneer to cease operations.

Derrick Walker has been a mainstay in American motorsport for a long while. He was responsible for launching the Indy car careers of many notable drivers like Robby Gordon and Gil de Ferran. It is upsetting to learn of Walker’s decision to close down Walker Racing due to a lack of funding. Mr. Walker, among other racing achievements, will be remembered as the man who gave Willy T. Ribbs a realistic opportunity at the Indianapolis 500.

Walker and comedian Bill Cosby teamed up to field a car for Ribbs in 1991.
"He will no longer be a first-class racer driving a third-class car with a third-class engine,” said Cosby.
Bill Cosby and Derrick Walker’s commitment led to Willy T. Ribbs becoming the first African- American qualifier and driver to race in the Indy 500.

Derrick Walker’s mark on racing was made long before May of 1991. Many of today’s racing enthusiasts are unfamiliar with Derrick Walker’s exploits. He began his racing career as a mechanic with Brabham Formula 1 in 1970 and crossed paths with current Formula 1 boss, Bernie Ecclestone.

Walker took a position with Roger Penske as mechanic for the grand prix team. Penske decided to leave grand prix racing and Walker stayed on as general manager of Penske Cars. Mr. Penske then brought Walker to the United States as the vice- president of racing operations. Derrick Walker’s first taste of victory in his new role came at the hands of a relatively unknown driver, Rick Mears.

Derrick Walker has been involved in many forms of auto racing including road racing with Porsche. After Porsche’s open wheel venture sputtered, Walker acquired the assets and began his own team. The rest, as they say, is history. I am really upset by recent news regarding Walker because as I set out to begin a career in motorsports, he was the only owner or insider to take time to give me personal advice. Mr. Walker set aside time to return every one of my phone calls and letters. It is a shame to think that the new look series will begin without Derrick Walker and he will be sorely missed.


Photo of Derrick Walker courtesy of RFM Sports
Read more!