Heat by Heat Results - March 1979

The 1979 season finally got underway - and the Dukes started it in the best possible way with a 6 point win at Hull. Things looked bleak when the Vikings eased to a 6 point lead of their own, with Mauger and Joe Owen looking imperious - a Cartwright/Klaus Lohmann 4-2 being the only positive from the first 6 races. But a Langli/Plant 5-1 in heat 7 set the scene for a remarkable turnaround, as Halifax only allowed the Vikings one more heat advantage. After a slow start, Mick McKeon won his final 2 races, with only Graham Plant failing to score in the final 6 races. New signing Langli had 2 excellent wins, and sealed victory with Mauger's only defeat in heat 12.

Halifax finally got their home season underway with a comfortable victory over a lop-sided Cradley Heathens. The Dukes set the tone in heat 1 when Mike Lohmann and Mick McKeon left Steve Bastable trailing, and further 5-1s in heats 4, 6 and 8 opened up an 11 point lead. Lohmann and new skipper Cartwright were in a different class, both easing to 12 point maximums, as Bastable and promising American Penhall struggled to keep the Heathens in contention. Solid scoring from the Dukes meant the win was never in doubt, only Graham Plant struggling after an engine failure first time out...