Heat by Heat Results - April 1983

Maybe getting 8 points in front wasn't such a good idea! The Dukes stunned the league champion Aces jumping into an early lead on a heavy rain-soaked track. Tactical substitute Morton teamed up with Ross to drag Belle Vue back into contention, and their team-mates grew into the match as the track dried out. Steve Finch was impressive at reserve, and Famari would have scored more but for a last race engine failure whilst leading. Martin Dixon started well but then had extreme difficulties negotiating the 3rd bend, falling in heat 6, and then going wide in his next 2 rides to let the home riders through.

For the second match in a row, the Dukes gave up an 8 point lead to lose to the Aces. This match was a classic however, with the drama going right down to the final flag. There seemed little chance of things going wrong when the Dukes eased in front, but the Aces clawed their way back in the second half of the meeting courtesy of their top three Ross, Morton and Collins. When Collins and Ravn scored a 4-2 in heat 12 it drew the Aces level for the only time in the match. Team manager Gavros dropped both Dixon and Pendlebury from the final heat in favour of high-scoring reserves Finch and Baker - but the move failed to pay off as Morton and Ross clinched the win.

Kenny Carter defeated Dennis Sigalos in the Golden Helmet, and then played a captain's role as the Dukes saw off Birmingham. He followed partner Doug Wyer home 3 times, both Dukes dropping their only points to Nielsen in heat 1. Wyer had his revenge to the delight of the home crowd when he defeated Nielsen, in as a tac sub in heat 8. All the Dukes weighed in with points as Halifax grabbed a comfortable win. For the Brummies, Andy Grahame provided good support for Nielsen, and young reserve Neil Evitts had his best meeting yet at The Shay, featuring in both their 5-1 heat wins.

Halifax were always second best to the Tigers, as Shawn Moran, Dave Morton and Phil White scored as many points as the Dukes team put together. Carter kept the Dukes reasonably close, but with only Wyer managing to win a race apart from Carter, getting any closer was always going to be difficult. Both Dixon and Famari looked out of sorts, and the Baker/Finch reserve pairing was nullified by Phil White. Craig Pendlebury accumulated points without ever really threatening the home riders.

Despite a brilliant 15 point maximum from Carter, the Dukes were well beaten at Cradley. The match was marred by a frightening first bend crash in heat 3 involving all 4 riders. Famari lost control and took out both Gundersen and King, with Wyer being collected by stray bikes. Both home riders were forced to take ambulance rides, whilst Famari was excluded and also unable to continue. Reserves Finch and Baker got plenty of work as a result, and scored well, but the Heathens had too much strength in depth. In the absence of Gundersen and King, the home side utilised number 8 Simon Cross - who weighed in with 9 points.

Halifax slipped to a second home defeat in 4 matches, as the Bees got their revenge for the opening night shock, and the Dukes early season optimism was slipping away. This one was a match the Dukes should have won. Operating rider replacement for the injured Famari allowed Carter an extra ride, and they built up an 8 point lead after only 6 races. But Tommy Knudsen proved the difference - twice beating Carter on the way to a 15 point maximum. Carter received little support - Baker won his first 2 races but then faded, whilst Wyer struggled after wrecking his best bike the night before, and Pendlebury and Dixon also looking out of sorts.

Halifax kept it close for the first 4 races, but were then completely outclassed by the Lions, who eased to their biggest ever victory in the competition. Doug Wyer proved the biggest threat to Leicester's dominance, scoring 9 points, but being passed by the Collins brothers whilst in higher scoring positions. Carter was sluggish, his machinery issues preventing him making decent starts. Baker again faded after looking good early on, whilst Martin Dixon recovered from 2 poor rides to score paid 7 from his final 3 races.

Halifax opened up their League campaign by returning to winning ways - just - with a last heat victory over Reading. With Dixon away in the British Quarter-Final at King's Lynn, Glen Parrott was called into the side, also boosted by the return of Famari, although the latter was clearly far from fit. Carter returned to form with a maximum, but although the Dukes led from the start, they could not finish the Racers off. Doug Wyer was the hero in the final race - Reading needing a 5-1 to draw. Wyer jumped out from the start and led, and although the impressive Shirra forced his way past, Wyer kept Schwartz at bay to clinch the win. Parrott contributed in three 4-2 heat wins.