British duo do the double at Detroit SX
By Sean Lawless on 23rd Mar 16
You can count the number of British riders whove made AMA SX Main Events on the fingers of one hand (okay, plus a few extra digits) but on Saturday night in Detroit there were not one but two Brits lining up behind the 250 East startgate.
Paul Coates has made four finals from four this year and, after unsuccessful attempts at Daytona and Toronto, former youth champion Gradie Featherstone finally joined him in the Motor City.
Despite injuring his ankle earlier in the day, Coates – racing on the back of a career-best ninth in Toronto – progressed through to the Main Event from his qualifying heat.
Featherstone had to go to the LCQ where he held his nerve to finish fourth and take the final transfer spot.
Both were rewarded in the final with Coates, after running in the top five for more than half the race, coming home eighth and Featherstone taking a well-earned three points for 18th.
"I opened a lot of eyes in the industry and I'm glad to represent all my sponsors well,” said Coates. "The team and I are working hard to break into that top five!”
