Embedded Files
The 14th season of British League racing at The Shay got underway on Saturday 18th March, with a visit from Bristol Bulldogs. The new-look Dukes, including new signings Graham and Broadbelt got off to a bad start, slipping 6 behind after only 2 heats, but successive 5-1s from Pusey/Cartwright and Lohmann/Godal gave the Dukes the lead. After another 5-1 for the visitors, Halifax took control to lead by 6 points themselves after 8 races, only for the Bulldogs to claw their way back into contention. A heat 11 maximum advantage from Lohmann and Graham over the Bristol key pairing of Crump and Langli proved crucial, and Lohmann completed his maximum in heat 13, joining up with Pusey for another 5-1. Bristol were hampered by the non-arrival of West German Egon Muller, and had to cover his absence with reserves.
The second half races following the Bristol fixture were noted for the appearances of Klaus Lohmann, younger brother of Mike, and young local prospect Kenny Carter. Lohmann actually won his second half heat, beating Carter, Pusey and McKeon, to qualify for the night final.
The Dukes kicked off their Northern Trophy campaign with a defeat at Sheffield. Tom Godal top scored with 8 points, as the top five failed to get going, with only Mike Lohmann competitive after stopping first time out. The Tigers lost Haley after a first heat crash involving Mick McKeon, but Reg Wilson and Doug Wyer were the usual threat around Owlerton, with Swede Wirebrand adding a couple of wins, as the Dukes failed to win races.
Relationships between the Dukes and Tigers were damaged after a stormy clash at the Shay, which was abandoned after a solitary 5-1 to Halifax, with the track covered in hailstones. Several of the Tigers team refused to continue, and the referee gave in to their pressure, despite the track being raceable less than an hour later. Promoter Eric Boothroyd had planned on Sheffield paying another visit to the Shay for a challenge match later in the season, but publicly stated afterwards that that fixture would not now be taking place...
Following the Sheffield abandonment, the Dukes revealed that they were in contractual dispute with Mick McKeon, and that he was making himself unavailable to ride in the next match...
After the trials and tribulations of the previous season, and the anger of 48 hours earlier, the Dukes pulled off a stunning win over Belle Vue, despite the usual Peter Collins maximum, on a cold Easter Monday. Mike Lohmann was the hero, bouncing back from a stoppage first time out, to record three wins, including teaming up with Pusey for the match-winning 5-1. The Dukes looked to have sealed a likely victory after moving 8 points clear, but a mini collapse in the latter stages put the Aces on the verge of snatching the win. Mitch Graham scored two vital wins, whilst Halifax gave a debut to Klaus Lohmann.
If the win over Belle Vue was a signal that the 1978 Dukes were a different proposition to the previous few years, then a win at Hull certainly backed that theory up. Eric Broadbelt led the way with 10 points on a night where he seemed to gain the power he had been lacking so far. Broadbelt teamed up with Ian Cartwright to secure the points in the final race, whilst Mike Lohmann, brother Klaus, and Mitch Graham, back on his old track, were all in the points. The Vikings had new signing Ivan Mauger in unbeatable form, but Halifax were always in control.
Notes: Yellow box/number indicates home match/programme number. Score highlighted in Gold indicates full maximum. Score highlighted in Silver indicates a paid maximum.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse