Heat by Heat Results - May 1985

Veteran Malcolm Simmons was a class apart, as the Robins eased to victory over a one-man Dukes. Simmons comfortably beat Carter in heat 1, and then Evitts 3 times on his way to a faultless score. Carter responded by winning his remaining heats, but none of his team mates could win a race. Kurt Hansen scored three second places on his promotion into the main team, but the Dukes' problems during the first weeks of the season continued - Hunter and Willmott both suffering from mechanical problems. The hopes that the Dukes' reserve power would boost their scoring failed to work, with the Robins pair of Busk and Sorensen easily outscoring Ross and Hunter. Swindon used rider replacement for Bo Petersen who had been injured in the test match at Cradley Heath earlier that day.

Halifax took the bonus point for the aggregate win after sealing a 10 point win over Swindon on May Bank Holiday Monday. Carter reeled off 4 straight wins mounted on new machinery, and although he was twice headed by Robins' guest Phil Collins, he passed the Cradley rider both times and pulled clear. But it was an all round team performance, with all the Dukes in the points, with no engine failures, and only 3 last places all night - 2 of them when the match was already won. Swindon were heavily reliant on Collins, Simmons and Crump who scored all but 3 of their points.

Former World Champion Michael Lee ended a 12 month ban to return for the Stars - and his inclusion boosted the crowd and King's Lynn's fortunes. Lee appeared under power as the tapes rose for heat 1, but was reinstated when the referee stopped the race. In the re-run, Carter's throttle cable came adrift whilst leading. And when Evitts was excluded for unfair riding for causing a first bend collision in heat 4, the Dukes must have realised this wasn't their day. Both Hansen and Monaghan struggled for points, and Hunter was again pointless from his 3 outings.

Several of the stars involved at Odsal were in action again at The Shay in the evening to complete a busy 24 hours. The Dukes' home action for the weekend was a 4 team tournament involving Sheffield, Cradley Heath and a Select team - featuring mostly Halifax riders. Kenny Carter added to his 11 points the previous night and the same score from 4 rides at Odsal with a flawless 12 point maximum. But it wasn't enough to give the Dukes the win, as the all-round strength of the Tigers once again saw them edge out the home side. It turned into a 2 horse race, with Cradley reliant on Alan Grahame and Simon Cross - Phil Collins having a bad night by his standards. Phil Crump was the only race winner for the BL Stars team as Hunter, Ross and Hansen struggled to find the points.

The Dukes travelled to Coventry, but both teams were left thwarted by the weather. The match started on a wet track after heavy rain, with Carter and Hansen edging the Dukes into the lead. Further showers moved in almost straight away, making the track more dangerous with each heat. The Dukes were only 4 points adrift, but were clearly unhappy with the state of the track - and the referee agreed, calling a halt after only 6 races.

Halifax opened up an 18 point lead to take to Monmore Green in an eventful meeting at The Shay. On a heavy track, the Dukes were always in command against a Wolves side overly dependent on the superb John Eskildsen. The Dane dropped his only points to Carter, who took a full 12 points. Already using rider replacement, the Wolves lost Eriksen to a nasty fall in heat 9. But it was the antics of Bobby Schwartz which had everyone talking, as he trailed round at the back on 2 occasions, and grabbed the centre-green microphone, seemingly unhappy with something said from the crowd near the start-line. A promising return to form for Rod Hunter also, with 2 heat wins, as the Dukes set up the return leg...