MOTORSPORT: Kart ace Nathan Freke gained overall victory in the Long Circuit 125 Gearbox Championships at Snetterton.

In his first full year on long circuits, Freke also managed second in the 125 Combined British and the Central Kart Club 125 championships as well as third in the 125 Open British.

He posted the fastest practice time to gain pole position but an exhaust pipe hole forced him to switch to the second untested engine.

A slow parade by the pace car caused the karts to oil up and by the time they reached the start line the Kidderminster star was overtaken by three karts as he could not pull away cleanly.

He battled back to second but was pushed onto the grass and eventually drove hard for seventh position.

Carburation changes helped Freke to take a final victory by three seconds after closing in on the leader by lap three.

l A Formula Ford race car was tested at Mallory Park, thanks to Century Motorsport, and Freke lapped faster than all but one of the same class cars.

He hopes to race the car in club races early next year.

l Freke had to settle for second in the Short Circuit 125cc Gearbox British Kart Championships after failing to win the final race at Little Rissington.

He ended fifth in the last round despite recording the quickest lap as an error in a change of gear ratio and a collision cost him.

The town racer could only manage sixth fastest in timed practice as his new tyres lost grip unexpectedly.

Freke had to start both qualifying heats on the third-grid row with the other championship contender in the front places.

To take the title to the final race, he had to finish no more than two places behind his Irish challenger in each heat.

Freke managed it with a fourth and second but was left with no third gear for the last contest after a failed gear ratio change in order to gain more exit speed from corners.

He ended in fifth after a collision while trying to overtake the second-placed kart, allowing his Irish opponent to cruise home and take the championships.