Heat by Heat Results - August 1982

August began with the Dukes being torn apart by the lowly Poole Pirates - one of only 3 wins for the bottom team all season! Although Carter fought hard for his 16 points, the remaining 5 Dukes could only manage 12 points between them. Louis won heat 3, but then failed to beat a home rider for the rest of the meeting. With Wyer still suffering bike problems, and Baker still feeling the effects of his crash at the weekend, Halifax, Carter aside, had no appetite for the contest, in steadily deteriorating conditions, as rain fell from early on. Carter dropped his only points to John Davis as his top form continued...

The Dukes, without Carter, somehow managed to get the victory against Hackney - but again, the win was at a cost. The returning Janke, back after his broken wrist from the Yorkshire Open final, declared himself fit after some practice laps earlier in the day and lined up in the first heat. But on the 3rd bend of lap 1, he clipped Mike Lanham's back wheel and was flung over the handlebars, incredibly ending up with two broken wrists. Further carnage awaited in heat 10 as guest Bo Petersen crashed, bringing down Dixon, Andersson and Grahame in the process. Only Dixon was able to continue, and his win in the re-run capped a good night for the on-loan Middlesbrough star.

A depleted Dukes, lacking 3 of their top 5 from the start of the season, travelled to Reading, where the outcome was inevitable. Despite a solid return from John Louis, the rest of the Dukes posed no threat, and the Racers won with ease. Bobby Schwartz was unbeaten by a Halifax rider, whilst Andersson was only beaten by Louis. Ex-Duke loanee Trownson would have scored more than his 9 points but for a slip whilst leading the final heat. For Halifax, guest Crump was disappointing, failing to win a heat. Baker had another spill, and the rest struggled all night.

The Dukes edged home in a last heat decider against the Brummies, assisted by the returning Ian Cartwright who provided good support and team-riding with Wyer in 3 races. The meeting turned in heat 10 - the home side trailing by 2 points gaining a vital 5-1 from guest Shawn Moran and Rob Ashton over Koponen and Maier. Although Nielsen and British Champion Andy Grahame won the last 3 races, the Dukes packed the minor places to grab the points. Only Baker and Tate failed to make any impression against the top-heavy Brummies, for whom British Champion Grahame was unbeaten.

The Dukes travelled to Cradley Heath for a Monday night match and were part of the circus which marked the end of Bruce Penhall's British speedway career. Penhall had announced his departure from the Heathens for an acting career 24 hours earlier at the World Team Cup final, and signed off with an easy maximum. Halifax kept things close for the first 4 races, but then slipped further behind as the meeting wore on. Martin Dixon at reserve was excellent, scoring paid 13 from 6 rides, but received only minor support from Cartwright and guest Chris Morton. Baker had yet another crash, and Louis and Wyer had nights to forget.

Falls by John Louis and Ian Cartwright, plus an engine failure whilst leading for Doug Wyer cost Halifax dear as Ipswich grabbed an unlikely away win. Both teams promoted juniors to replace Carter and Sigalos, both on the injured list, but Ipswich also used rider replacement for the in-dispute Cook - and used it wisely. Although the scores were level after 6 races, the Witches had too much strength for the battered Dukes. The local fans vented their anger at Eriksen following the recent Carter incident, but the Dane had the last laugh, as his 10 points, with backing from Jolly and Doncaster saw the visitors home.

Kenny Carter returned to Halifax to a hero's welcome following his World Final disappointment, but even a flawless maximum couldn't save the Dukes from another defeat. Only John Louis gave Carter any support, as the Aces sneaked home by the narrowest of margins. The flash point of the meeting occurred in heat 12 when Carter and Collins clashed on the home straight, and Carter was sent crashing. Collins was excluded, but with Baker already having stopped, it meant 2 riders only for the re-run. The Dukes went into the final race a point adrift, but Ross gated, and Louis could not find a way past.