Heat by Heat Results - October 1973

The 1973 Autumn Classic was won in convincing style by Reading and Sweden star Anders Michanek, with a faultless 15 point maximum.  Leicester pair Ray Wilson and John Boulger continued to show their liking of the Shay picking up the remaining rostrum places, in an event plagued by mechanical issues.  Both Graham Plant and John Titman withdrew from the meeting after blowing engines, and a tapes malfunction in heat 15 saw the referee exclude Reg Wilson, then Olsen next time, then Sharpe and finally Haley - the latter two refusing to take any further part in the meeting.

Halifax completed their home league fixtures for 1973 with a double-header meeting.  First up was a comfortable win over Swindon, who offered little, aside from the brilliant Martin Ashby.  But the Dukes were too powerful all round, with Dave Gatenby top-scoring in his best performance for Halifax so far.  Guest Bobby Beaton was excluded for bringing down team-mate Hiftle in heat 10, with Hiftle shaken up, but solid scoring from Monk, Sharpe, Titman and Andrew saw the Dukes ease to the win with room to spare.

The second part of the double-header saw a suprisingly one-sided victory over Ipswich, with the Witches finally racing at the Shay at the 3rd time of asking.  Skipper John Titman, Beaton, and Monk led the way, with all the Dukes contributing, save for Sharpe who had one of those nights.  John Louis showed his class and liking for the Shay with 11 points, although his total would have been more - an engine failure whilst leading heat 7 denting his score.  Louis then defeated Titman to defend his Golden Helmet title, as he started on a record-breaking defence - he would not surrender the title until the following July!

A two week gap before the final fixture dented the Dukes' enthusiasm as they slipped to the inevitable defeat at Belle Vue.  Les Sharpe failed to arrive, and with Andrew, Gatenby and Hiftle plagued with bike problems, the result was never in much doubt.  The highlight of the night was Mike Hiftle's defeat of Sjosten in heat 10, while Bill Andrew took the only other win for the Dukes in heat 7 - otherwise it was a long, painful end to a season that had promised so much, but was ultimately ruined by injuries.