Speedway star's two-year drug ban

Fallen sprintcar star Ryan Farrell has been barred from competing for two years, with nine months suspended, after testing positive to a banned substance.

Farrell, 39, failed a random drug test at Bunbury Speedway on February 19 and pleaded guilty at Monday’s Speedway Australia tribunal hearing in Adelaide.

Speedway Australia competitions and operations manager Paul Trengove yesterday confirmed the “serious” punishment.

Trengove said Farrell’s guilty plea had been taken into account by the tribunal.

“But it’s a dangerous sport,” Trengove said.

“To have a driver under the influence of drugs in our sport is extremely dangerous and the punishment needed to fit that.”

After failing the test, Farrell issued a statement in which he was adamant he had not taken drugs while behind the wheel.