The 1978 Season

The 1978 Speedway Season was the Golden Jubilee season, celebrating 50 years of everyone's favourite sport in the UK.  And while the country flocked to the cinemas to watch Grease, and England were not taking part in the World Cup in Argentina, the British Speedway public had a Wembley World Final to look forward to.

The Gulf Oils British League was contested by the same 19 sides from 1977, with the majority hopeful of stealing the title from 1977's surprise winners White City.  Halifax were forced to make changes, with popular Dutchman Henny Kroeze preferring a non-weekend track, and he departed for Hull (although he subsequently moved on to Bristol without ever riding for the Vikings!) In his place, Halifax signed Mitch Graham from Hull, able to accommodate the popular guest rider from recent seasons on a falsely low average.  Graham Plant announced he would not be returning, intending to take a year out to rekindle his enthusiasm following recent injuries, and the Dukes moved to sign Lancastrian Eric Broadbelt after a difficult season on the south coast with Poole.  The top three from 1977 all returned, with Mike Lohmann, Chris Pusey and Ian Cartwright all signing on for 78, the latter however only deciding to race at the 11th hour after threats to quit the sport during the winter.  Mick McKeon returned to the UK to line up with Halifax for a second season, boosted by his qualification for the Intercontinental Final from the Australasian rounds of the World Championship.  And Tom Godal would fill the final reserve berth following on from his efforts in the previous season.

The early season showed promise, with a comfortable win over Bristol, aided by a perfect performance from Lohmann, followed up by 3 wins in the Northern Trophy - although the home match with Sheffield was controversially abandoned due to dreadful track conditions, and was not replayed until September - by which point Belle Vue had taken the title.

The season was only a few weeks old when Halifax shuffled the pack again.  Godal was dropped, despite averaging 4.50 points a match, and was loaned to Leicester.  In his place, the Dukes intended to use two young, up and coming riders...

The first was Klaus Lohmann - younger brother of Mike.  Klaus had impressed at the end of 1977 riding under a false name in second half outings, and would initially line up at reserve.  The second was the much talked about local lad Kenny Carter, who after signing on for the Dukes, was loaned out to National League Newcastle, but would fill in for the Dukes when available.

By the end of April, Halifax were 2nd in the league table, having a 100% record - a position masked by the fact they had still to ride away from home.  A 24 point drubbing at Ipswich sent out the message that things might not be as simple as they were hoping.  As the season wore on, the Halifax riders were inconsistent, and although winning at home, looked incapable of doing so away.  White City sent the Dukes packing out of the Cup at the first hurdle, as they slipped gradually down the table.  By September, the team were struggling to win anywhere, slipping to a 61-17 reverse at Exeter, with Lohmann, McKeon and Broadbelt the only recognised Halifax riders on show! 

One positive was the form of newcomer Mitch Graham.  Starting the season at reserve, Graham piled up the points in the early weeks, and largely kept on scoring once moving into the team proper.  By August, he was the third heat leader behind Lohmann and Cartwright - but when White City visited again in the league, Graham piled up with team-mate McKeon and sustained back and hip injuries which ended his season.

Mike Lohmann was also in the wars, sustaining a foot injury which hampered his scoring in mid-season.  Mick McKeon suffered the disappointment of failing to make the Wembley World Final, and his enthusiasm faded for the remainder of the season, returning early to Australia and hinting he might not return for 1979.  And Chris Pusey had a year to forget - last year's number one, ended the season at reserve after some dreadful performances, hindered by off-track problems.  Eric Broadbelt never really settled at his new track, and was also involved in some nasty tumbles, resulting in several absences through the season.  But Ian Cartwright established himself as the Dukes' new number one, with numerous double figure scores.

At the bottom of the team, Klaus Lohmann and Kenny Carter both looked fine prospects for the future - the latter particularly looking very exciting and causing problems for the more established riders, and achieving a near 5.50 average in his first season.