NATHAN Freke's attempts to round off his British Superkart Championship season in style were thwarted by engine problems which could also jeopardise his European hopes.

For the second time, Freke was driving with the new GasGas engine and used the Cadwell Park meeting for development work in prepraration for the European Championship rou-nd at Donington Park this weekend.

All looked good as he won a guest race mixed in with 125cc karts. But after storming round the track to lead the overall race in the 250cc class at the flag, he was plagued by more misfortune.

The engine developed a misfire on the last lap of the race which was to ultimately spoil the weekend. On Sunday morning, Freke was fastest in free practice, but in qualifying the problem retunred and he had to settle for 11th on the grid.

A super start moved him up to fifth, but the misfire re-appeared, forcing him to drift backwards and ultimately retire. Work was carried out on the ignition system and seemed to have done the trick as Freke took his place on grid 35 for race two and moved up to eighth by the second lap.

But the engine gave up yet again and he had to coast into the pits for another non- finish.

It was a frustrating end to the British season. The engine is undergoing a full diagnostic analysis before Donington Park this weekend.