Heat by Heat Results - April 1982

12 months earlier, the Dukes lost both Carter and Pendlebury to injuries which were to undermine their season, but this time, Halifax were clinical as they topped the 50 point mark again. Carter was unbeaten again, and Louis won his first 3 races despite suffering from flu, before running a last place in the final heat. Cartwright also got double figures as the Dukes pulled away. The turning point was heat 8 - as Ashton and Janke were left to stroll to a 5-0 as both Koponen and tactical substitute Nielsen both failed to finish when on a 5-1 themselves. The Dane had the Brummies only 2 heat wins, but failed to score in his other outings.

The Dukes may have started the season well at home - but away from The Shay it was the usual story. Despite Halifax taking an early lead, the Aces were too strong, and eased to a comfortable win. A 4-2 in heat 8 from Carter and Ashton reduced the hosts lead to 4 points, but the Aces then hit two 5-1s to finish the Dukes off. Carter was the only rider to beat the Aces powerhouse top three of Morton, Collins and Ross. Otherwise, none of the other Dukes had much to offer, with both Janke and Wyer suffering mechanical problems.

Easter Saturday brought a third straight home win, but the Dukes this time failed to top 50 points, as the Lions made Halifax work for the win. Despite being in front from the start, the scores were back level after a 5-1 for the Lions in heat 8 from Neil Collins and Colin Cook. Halifax were able to pull away in the final 5 heats however, courtesy of 4 heat advantages. Carter recorded his 3rd straight home maximum, and Cartwright dropped only a single point to Jensen in heat 5, having had to shut off to avoid Cook who lifted. Steve Baker weighed in with an important 7 points, scoring in both his extra rides when called upon.

The Dukes were quickly back in action on Easter Monday with the visit from Belle Vue, and the pattern of comfortable home victories continued over a surprisingly lop-sided Aces. Although Larry Ross tried his hardest for the visitors, he received no support and the result was never in doubt from the moment reserves Baker and Ashton won heat 2. Carter eased to yet another full house, passing Ross in heat 1. Baker scored a paid maximum, earning points from the back including an outside pass on Morton in heat 4. Louis would have scored more but for clutch problems. Carter also defeated Morton in the Golden Helmet beforehand.

Halifax travelled to Cradley Heath for a Saturday night match, and were well beaten. The Dukes had no answer to Erik Gundersen, who powered to a 12 point maximum. Even Carter could not stop the Dane, the home skipper pulling away in heat 11, and then joining forces with Phil Collins in the final heat to shut Carter out. The Dukes' number 1 received little support, a 5-1 with Baker in heat 8 being their only heat win. The Heathens used rider replacement for the absent Penhall, away in the USA on a "business trip" - but assurances were given he would be back for the return trip to the Shay the following evening...

The Dukes management lodged a protest with the BSPA when the Heathens turned up with Sheffield's Shawn Moran as guest. But the BSPA insisted Moran could guest for the absent Penhall, even though he was absent for non-racing reasons. In the match, the Heathens proved their strength, twice coming from behind to snatch a draw. Carter lost his unbeaten home start to the season, relegated into 3rd place by Grahame and Collins in heat 10, and that proved to be crucial in the end result. Both Wyer and Baker had engine failures, and Janke was still down on power.

On a dry and dusty track, passing was at a premium, and the Brummies edged a boring encounter thanks to their faster gating, and a lack of depth from the Dukes. Eskildsen passed Doug Wyer in heat 2 for the solitary overtake of the whole meeting. Carter was in a different class, easing to 4 straight wins, however Nielsen, Grahame and Kudrna were in a different class to the rest of the Dukes, although Cartwright was consistent. Baker faded after a promising start, whilst Ashton suffered a tapes exclusion, and was then well off the pace in his remaining races.

A chance to try out a new format to fill in an open date in the calendar with a 7-man 3 team tournament. The Dukes took on Leicester and a curiously-titled Northern Tigers including riders from Middlesbrough and Birmingham! The Dukes riders all helped themselves to decent pay-days as they took 11 heat wins from their 12 outings. Carter, Cartwright, Louis and Baker were all unbeaten, only Wyer really struggling to get among the points. Les Collins was the pick of the other riders on show, to demonstrate his form in what was to be a top season for him. Would-be Duke Martin Dixon was the pick of the Tigers, including a win from the back over Colin Cook in heat 17.