KIDDERMINSTER kart racer Nathan Freke showed his adaptability by finishing on the winning team after accepting a late invitation to compete at the Autosport International Show held at the NEC.

Freke joined Swedish ex-Formula 3 driver Tommy Johansen and America rookie AJ Allmendinger to triumph in the charity kart race at the event.

And the victory could earn the Kidderminster kart star a shot at the big time as a racer at a world series in America.

It was expected the winner would come from the teams with experience in Pro Karts or from the hotshot 100cc drivers partnered with celebrity F3 and F3000 stars.

But nothing could have been further from the truth as Freke, Johansen and Allmendinger each set the fastest lap in their stint in the kart and won convincingly overall by four laps.

Freke's father Clive said: "Nathan once again proved he is the equal of any driver when placed in unfamiliar machinery and on a level playing field."

As a result of the win, Freke has received a tentative offer to race in the World Superkart Challenge at Laguna Seca on the under-card of the Moto GP meeting in the USA this year.

The meeting is by invitation only and will include a selection of stars such as Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, and Kevin Schwantz. Freke is currently investigating ways of funding the possible project which would allow him to move onto the World Stage in front of a large international TV audience.